Three Weeks Magazine in Britain asked me to fill out a quick quiz about my show Whiskey Bars, with the songs of Kurt Weill that will be going up at the Edinburgh Fringe at The Vault venue. I think this about sums it up...
1. What is your 2008 show all about?
"Whiskey Bars" is a tell-all, behind the scenes, no holds barred, backstage peek at the torrid and neurotic life of a fading cabaret singer teetering between a stunning future and a plunge into obscurity. It takes place as he prepares himself with innumerable shots of cheap vodka in the dressing room before a 'comeback' performance. Casting the audience as his critic, he lies, seduces, threatens, cajoles and bargains to secure a good review for the show he's about to do...all while performing a reverse striptease. He starts in a towel and ends in full tuxedo and whiteface. And best of all - he illustrates his story with the dark and daring songs of Kurt Weill.
2. Why should we come and see it?
Because folks say 'Wow' after hearing Weill's songs in this context--songs like Mack the Knife, September Song and soooooo many others, with lyrics by writers from Bertolt Brecht to Ira Gershwin. Because how often to you get to spend an evening with someone who believes they were captured by aliens? And because everyone can relate to the story of trying to get up and do what most scares them.
3. If your show was an olympic sport, what would it be and why?
Gossima. Whiff-Whaff. Flim-Flam. Ping-Pong – that's right – Table Tennis!!
Why? Because it's a breathless, nonstop, frighteningly precise yet totally nerdy battle of wits and speed where every move counts. Because you need to keep your eyes glued to the show for every tense, thrilling and yet somehow hilarious moment. Because Ping Pong was invented in 1890 in England using cigar box lids for rackets and a carved champagne cork for a ball, and we feel any game that has its roots in nicotine and alcohol has a lot in common with our show.
4. What are you most looking forward to about this year's Festival?
We're looking forward to sharing our own art and work and struggles equally amidst a collective community of the best of international theatre dedicated to artistic excellence...no, wait...that's the first line from the grant proposal…damn! …OK…we're looking forward to single malts, the fringe club, late night music jams, a distant shot at fame & glory, and a brief sleazy fling with some hot dancer with an amazing physique (we can dream, right?)
5. What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Now look - before heading for Canada I spent my youth in Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire...not that far from Edinburgh...so I know...I know ALL ABOUT the friggin' awful weather. None of those carefully selected edfringe.com photos where happy performers busk in warm sunlight fool me. In Canada, August means a chance to soak up some sun, but in the capital city of Scotland I remember those North Sea squalls sweeping through at any time of year! Normally I do the busking in white face, so hopefully drizzled, dripping and streaked makeup will give me that lovely dramatic touch...
6. What advice would you have for someone trying to navigate the Fringe?
Trust your instincts and pick the shows that really appeal to you on some dark and daring level…better to see an exciting flop then a dull success! Don't follow the reviews – ask the person waiting in line in front of you, or eavesdrop on the conversation going on behind you – they'll give you much more exciting advice. Performers LOVE audiences who've been drinking – so don't forget to take advantage of all the great pubs and fine drinking establishments!
7. What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Just three words – Alcohol, Caffeine, Baked Tatties
8. Describe your show in three words
Terrifyingly pleasurable schmaltz
WHISKEY BARS
by Bremner Duthie
at The Vault, 11 Merchant Street
preview Aug 3, 9pm (1hr) £3.00
Aug 4-10, 12-17, 19-25, 8:40pm (1hr) £6.00(£5.00)
WHISKEY BARS - AT THE ED FRINGE THIS SUMMER
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/whiskey.bars/whiskey.html
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