EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Bucket List

BWW speaks to director Nir Paldi of multi-award-winning Theatre Ad Infinitum about their new show Bucket List, which is heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.

What made you want to tell this story?

The idea for the Bucket List story was given to me by my close collaborator, Mexican actress Vicky Araico Casas. A story about a Mexican orphan girl from one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the world fighting to change her life. I was immediately inspired by the potential of the story to invoke themes of social mobility and raise a debate about ways of achieving social change.

We have spent over a year developing the idea. Bucket List is a story of one Mexican woman's fight for justice. When her mother is murdered for protesting corporate and governmental corruption, Milagros finds herself with only a bloodstained list of those responsible. Determined to make them pay, she embarks on a passionate quest for justice, no matter the cost. The play uses physical storytelling, live instrumental music and song to unfold a story about love, loss and revenge.

Against the backdrop of the Brexit upheaval, the themes explored in Bucket List seem more important than ever right now.

Tell us a bit about Theatre Ad Infinitum's background and other productions

Theatre Ad Infinitum was founded in 2007 and we have made nine productions to date. Each one of these productions is completely different to the others in style and content. We identify a theme we feel needs to be addressed publicly and then find the theatrical style that will best serve it. Our past productions include Light, Ballad of the Burning Star and Translunar Paradise.

Do you think you know what to expect from Edinburgh?

Bucket List will be the eighth production Theatre Ad infinitum has brought to the Fringe, so I am aware of the madness and delight that this is. However, I find that every production has its own specific journey in the festival. It's very hard to imagine how a piece of work will be received by the public and the theatre industry - and what it might stir up... The different reactions to our different productions create a specific experience each year. So, yes, I feel I know what to expect - and that is the unexpected.

What advice would you give to someone who had never been to the Edinburgh Fringe before?

Prepare to be surprised, and don't be caught unprepared! It's going to be challenging on many different levels. Believe in your show and always remember what it is that drove you to make theatre in general and this specific piece in particular. I find that focusing on my political motivation and the importance of the issue I want to share with audiences helps me to keep it together during the month. The fringe is a very competitive boiling pot of sensitive, passionate people and things can get quite intense quite quickly, so once in a while climb to the top of Arthur's seat, take a deep breath, and if you manage not to jump to your death - get some perspective on it all.

Who would you recommend Bucket List to?

Bucket List isn't directed at a specific audience - it deals with themes that are relevant for everyone. We have an age limitation of 14+ as there's violent content, but if you're older then it's for you!

Timings and ticket information for Bucket List are available on the edfringe website.

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