EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- We Need The Eggs

BWW speaks to Richard Todd about bringing We Need The Eggs to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about We Need The Eggs.

It is about the obsessive pursuit of absurd ideals in spite of history and experience telling you they will end in failure, and the perpetual resurrection of hope, focusing on three characters who are in some way obsessive in their behaviour. The title is a metaphor, so do not come expecting eggs. Food wise the show is predominantly crisp driven.

What was the inspiration for writing it?

It was going to be a valedictory show about my disillusionment with comedy, so less inspired and more retired, but then, after writing a couple of funny descriptions, I perked up, and before you could say financial disaster I had booked myself a room on the paid fringe, PR and conveniently placed room, with excellent transport links to places with transport links, on the outskirts of Leith.

This is your third Fringe - do you think you know what to expect from the festival now?

Having never done the paid fringe (my two previous solo shows were free fringe) I am not sure what to expect. I worry it will be like when my favourite band (Girls Against Boys) went from an indie to a major record label, produced their worst album and then split up. Without my bucket collections to live on, I am also considering taking a day job while there (my show time permits this), so my timetable ideally will be:

Greggs 09.00 - 17.00

Eggs 22.45 - 23.45

Who would you recommend comes to see We Need The Eggs?

I have long ceased trying to second guess audiences or to suggest my shtick will appeal to a particular kind of person; that tends to result in offering a description of how you perceive yourself, which inevitably is not how other people see you (though I am erudite and suave, no matter what the rumours say). However as the eggs of the title are metaphorical, a poultry farmer looking for affirmation will probably be disappointed.

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

Michael Clarke, Micky Overman, Heidi Regan, Ross Smith and Crizzards are all debuting and very funny. And hopefully something unhinged that has no place to belong other than a dank, sweaty room on the free fringe.

Richard Todd: We Need The Eggs is at the Pleasance Courtyard - The Attic from 1st - 26th August (not Tues 15th)

For further information visit https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/richard-todd-we-need-the-eggs

Photo credit: Lorna Milburn

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