TO BE FRANK to Make UK Premiere at Edinburgh Fringe
Michael Hockey's non-verbal show will play Pleasance Courtyard's Bunker Three, with live music by Alanna Hall.
Loosely inspired by Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel, TO BE FRANK blends high energy physical theatre and clowning with an original punk-inspired live score and foley performed on electric guitar. Following Frank: a monster born on stage into an oversized and unpredictable body, this non-verbal show explores otherness, love, and the consequences of creating life. Through interacting with audience members and mirroring their responses to him, spectators directly influence the creature's evolution and understanding of what it is to be human, with every stumble and jerk of Frank's body being captured through the visceral live sound score provided by musician Alanna Hall. When he then spawns a sentient life of his own—a simple green balloon puppet with a smile and a soul—Frank is forced to confront the profound weight of love, loss, and the responsibility of care.
Creator and performer Michael Hockey said, “I am so thrilled to unleash Frank on the crowds of the Fringe and to play with what each new audience brings to the work. Artists have been drawn to reinterpreting the myth of the monster for centuries now and I think that's because there's something raw and sympathetic in there. It's that naive perspective inside the big dangerous beast that inspired me to make this show, and I think smashing the form of clowning up against that naivety is a perfect match for the theatre. And I'm excited about playing with our muso and turning the sound system up to 11 on this one."
Michael Hockey is an actor and theatre-maker from Aotearoa/New Zealand. An alumni of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and École Philippe Gaulier, Michael's career highlights include performing in the film The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and the play The Perfect Image by Sam Brooks, founding the Bull Rush improv company, and developing TO BE FRANK, which will be Michael's Edinburgh Fringe debut play this year as a creator and performer.
Performances will run at Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Three, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ, from 5 – 30 August.
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