The Camden Fringe is upon us, providing one of the best times in the capital to get into Fringe theatre, and the stories it can tell. To get prepared for the festival, Read About Stuff is running a ‘Five From The Fringe’ interview series, where creative teams answer five questions about their upcoming Festival shows.
In this interview, I chat to Scott Robinson about Edgar A. Poe’s Last Call.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Edgar A. Poe’s Last Call takes place during the final tortured hour of one of America’s most enigmatic writers.
The show combines poetry, pathos, and a bit of comedy. Audiences can expect an intimate immersive hour of personal anguished storytelling and powerful poetry.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I was drawn to the thin line between genius and madness. I am fascinated by how our internal demons rise up and provide a raw honesty when used to create art, but also lead our lives in chaotic, painful directions. “Last Call” is a “last chance” story, exploring the moment when a lifetime of decisions, both good and bad, come home to roost in a powerful expression of horror and love.
At the Fringe I feel we are all participating in moments when art and stories are being told with little corporate interference. It’s a direct connect with an audience. And yet, we also see how the very human impulse to create art has been treated as a commodity for much of our history. “Last Call” has all the hallmarks of a CFF show because it is a risk-taking, audience-centric show that comes in under 60 minutes. It packs in a lot of story for the audience. The fringe atmosphere is perfect for the project because our Edgar was developed as an interactive improvisational character who also engages with audiences outside of the show, on the street, in the pubs, in character. Look for him wandering around Camden.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
Cost of course! Developing a team, finding places to rehearse, maintaining even a modest level of technical elements, these all compete for limited resources. We wanted to develop a professional-level project and nowadays one must also account for the time and expense of keeping up a social media presence. All of these elements have costs attached before Poe even steps onstage. But this reflects his life as well, he struggled financially all his life.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
We rely on simple elements to help tell a complicated story. Our NY director Shannon Patterson set zones on the stage where repeated action or similar storytelling elements take place. Simple audio cues bring Edgar’s lost love Virginia, and other characters, to life.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Macabre.
Because: Poe!
Edgar A. Poe’s Last Call runs at Camden People’s Theatre on 11 – 15 August. Tickets are available here: https://camdenfringe.com/events/edgar-a-poes-last-call/
