The Edinburgh Fringe is upon us and to get prepared for another Scottish summer 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 Astrid Rot about Otto & Astrid: The Stages Tour.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Me and my little brother Otto have been in a band together since we were kids. People sometimes call us a comedy act, but we are a rock band and we take our music very seriously. The Stages Tour is a greatest hits show, all killer no filler. I have gone through everything we have ever recorded and chosen the songs that make people lose their minds. Second Best Friend, Tasty Snak, The Situation, Rock ‘n’ Roll Monster. Otto also has some songs that he would like to play but I have not authorised those and they will not be on the set list. What you can expect is a blistering rock and roll show and then everyone buys a t-shirt and we all go to the after party.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Edinburgh Fringe?
We have played Edinburgh many times and some of our most memorable shows have been there. We love the energy of the festival. You have theatre, you have comedy, you have music, you have everything all in the same place at the same time, and the audiences are up for anything. That suits us. We will fit right in and also we will be the best show there.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
When choosing the set list I think about the memory of playing each song and which ones the audience has responded to most over the years. Those tend to be the songs we have written together, or songs I have written by myself. We will not be playing any songs that Otto wrote by himself.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
I work with designers including Alice Edgeley and Sprinkle who make original costumes for me. Otto wears the same thing every night. He is like a rock and roll version of Steve Jobs. He says that not having to decide what to wear reduces decision fatigue and gives him more time to make great rock and roll music. So the design of the show is really two different philosophies sharing the same stage.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Ass tingles. When the rock and roll travels through the subwoofers and up through the floor and into your seat, you will feel it. That is the show. That is what we are going for every night.
Otto & Astrid: The Stages Tour runs at Assembly Roxy (Venue 139) from 5th – 30th August. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/otto-astrid-the-stages-tour
