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Lessons learned from Fringe I to Fringe V

John Fardell

KERRY SHALE shares the wisdom of experience

ringe l (1985): produce. perform and adapt

solo show from 4(X)-page cult novel. Commit

usual Fringe virgin errors (design own poster/devise own publicity/believe own publicity). plus unique error: show runs an unheard of two-and- a-half hours. First public performance is first time I've performed the 24-character show without a prompt. Shockineg. it‘s a hit. Upside: fame and fortune. l'm recognised in the street. invited to an Australian festival and picked up by the Perrier Awards. Downside: suffer mammoth mental meltdown due to brain strain. Lesson learned: adapt shorter cult novels.

Fringe ll: cult novel adaptation madness continues. Venue is locked when I show up for tech rehearsal. When hung-over venue techie guy finally arrives. director inserts dozens of ambitious sound and lighting cues. Stay up all night before first perf making cuts to fit new Ill-character solo show into two-hour slot. By time of opening perf. have come down with stinking cold. so forget lines and wander around playing with props (tres post-modern). Of course. it‘s a hit. Upside: entertained nightly by Billy Connolly propping up the Traverse bar. Downside: am shockingly accused by national paper of inventing press quotes. Eventually receive terse apology (buried by paper at end of festival). Lesson learned: Rupert Murdoch always wins.

which

Invent new artform

involves slamming feet down brutally hard while smiling

Fringe lll: perform two-hour. l4-character. l6- song musical about small boy whose body is possessed by soul of dead tap-dancing midget. Cannot tap dance to save my life. Mind-bogglingly. the show's a hit. Upside: invent new artform called Extra Loud Tap Dancing which involves slamming feet down brutally hard while smiling as wide as possible. Downside: when show transfers to London. knee cartilage rips painfully due to Extra Loud Tap Dancing. Lesson learned: stick to BBC radio acting.

Fringe IV: Suzanne. having missed Fringes l to lll. encourages me to adapt. produce and perform two-hour solo epic set in an old folks' home. Latecomers tromp across stage. punters faint from heat prostr'ation. portable air conditioner sounds like Festival fireworks display. lipside: Suzanne and I remain married. Downside: show is a hit! Am tempted to return to Fringe! Lesson learned: sitting down playing an ()AP is less painful than Extra Loud Tap Dancing.

Fringe V: am now one of the grand old farts of the Fringe. Will no doubt smell like one this year. since will be dressed as a caveman. complete with goatskin and bouffant cave-wig. Upside: have begun to enjoy Fringing. Lesson learned: forget about fame: just provoke some thoughts. get some laughs and run around in public dressed as Fred Flintstone (that‘s the best part). ()h. and the new show only lasts an hour.

Caveman lnc, Pleasance, 556 6550, until 26 Aug (not 13, 20), 6.10pm, 29-5210 (£8429).

STREET ACTS TO LOOK OUT FOR @ THE CHINESE STATE Cchus TANK DIVISION

Srmpiy st clown m Parliament Square and let this authentic taste of Chinese street life roll over 50H. “Ovel-a/Fn’lrrma . There gay; full me ." Beijing Student Tunes

Tibetans esyemllg welcome.

8 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 8—715 Aug; 2002

Stude vtts and

17,. 1? took me tau; (2&4 Storm Lnasa Gazette,

605M I didn't know

they'd be so close!

11a-

When are {new got/lg! to do that bit where c‘wgg balance on all the chain’s?