EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- Garry Starr Performs Everything

BWW speaks to Damien Warren-Smith about bringing Garry Starr Performs Everything to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Garry Starr Performs Everything.

The character Garry Starr emerged from clown troupe A Plague of iDiots but first appeared on his own in Marcel Lucont's Cabaret Fantastique in Berlin. I was really surprised how much people loved him so I started generating new material at cabarets, variety nights and open mics around Berlin before returning to London to work with director Cal McCrystal to mould it into a show. It's about a disgraced Shakespearean actor who believes he can single-handedly save the performing arts by performing every genre of theatre imaginable.

How has it been received by audiences so far?

I've been blown away by the audience reactions. I was only supposed to pop over and do two weeks in Adelaide to coincide with my mate's wedding then return to London and work as a spinning instructor. But then the Malthouse Theatre offered me a slot for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival which I couldn't say no to so I stuck around. I'm glad I did as I was nominate for both Best Newcomer and the Golden Gibbo.

This is your Edinburgh debut- do you think you know what to expect?

I've played Edinburgh as an ensemble member before so I know what to expect from the festival but doing a solo show is going to be a whole other beast. Thankfully I have my dog with me this time who keeps me sane.

Who would you recommend comes to see Garry Starr performs Everything?

I reckon the people who get the most pleasure out of the show are those with a bit of knowledge of theatre although it's definitely not a prerequisite. I had a couple of drunk Kiwi's stumble out of the show in Brighton and tell me, 'We've never seen theatre before but that was f*#king hilarious; and we're from New Zealand!' I'm still not entirely sure why the fact that they're from New Zealand was important but I appreciated the sentiment.

Are there any other shows you're hoping to catch at the festival?

I can't wait to see Helen Duff: How Deep Is Your Duff and The Establishment: Fool Brittania. Also, Zach & Viggo are teaming up with Thumpasaurus to make a musical which is going to be epic!

Garry Starr Performs Everything is at Underbelly Cowgate - Iron Belly

from August 2nd - 26th

For further information please contact: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/garry-starr-performs-everything

Photo credit: Joseph Till

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