This is our second pilgrimage to the fringe for our August ritual. As all fringe performers will know, doing the Edinburgh festival means that each company member has to turn their skills to every job. Currently I am actor, director, producer, publicist, photographer, stage hand, props builder and the all important flyerer. However, it is the acting that gets my heart racing, the adrenaline pumping and most importantly, the calories burning. Oh how things have changed since last year’s fringe. My performing roles have progressed from Soho prostitute (Don Juan in Soho 2009) to a nun (Virtuous Flock 2010) this year. Perhaps a divine calling I think?
It has been an eventful start to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. The train journey from King Cross to Waverly was quick and easy, however the full carriage did not seem too impressed with a group of excited actors. Upon reaching our final destination in old town, a tiny 3rd floor flat housing 8 of us, we had realised that we had someone else’s luggage by mistake - a test sent from the Deity? After rummaging through the belongings of this mystery traveller; boxer shorts, a Sean the sheep flannel and a theatre producing book, we concluded that it must belong to one of the many Ed fest participants. In the panic, a small business card belonging to a producer from Seabright Productions fell on to the floor out of the theatrical book, a miracle! We had tracked the bag’s owner and to our surprise found out, after phoning him, that he was only staying up the road from us. Another edfringe disaster averted; we had been saved. The next test sent to try us was the case of the missing costume. I am not surprised that more does not go missing with the 500 miles of schlepping and travelling to get here. Much love goes to the charity shops and emergency tailor who made us another costume in 4 hours! Oh the miracles were coming fast. N10 were also delighted and humbled to have been the runners up of the Zebra award prize (best Edinburgh Fringe Poster) from Dupliquick printers this year. How nice of those folks and we truly felt blessed.
The highlight of our Fringe is always our travels up the Royal Mile; selling our souls. In 2009 we creating a wedding procession and this year a funeral procession with coffin bearers and nuns. Let’s hope the Diety grants us sunshine and packed audiences for 2010, amen and peace be with all Ed Fringe luvies everywhere.
Lauren Overs - Artistic Director
