At this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Travefest24 at the Traverse Theatre host the UK première of Adam Rapp’s The Sound Inside. Starring Merchant Ivory’s Madeleine Potter and The Kite Runner’s (Broadway) Eric Sirakian. When an Ivy League profession becomes captivated by a rebellious, if brilliant, freshman, the two outsiders wander the boundaries of taboo in this mysterious, tense production.
Producer Pádraig Cusack spoke with us regarding the production coming to Edinburgh later this year. The six-time Tony Award-nominated production will find a popular home at TravFest this year. Have a Gander Festival Fringe coverage 2024 at The Sound, and grab tickets now.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
When Bella Baird, a middle-aged creative writing professor at Yale, begins to mentor a brilliant but enigmatic student named Christopher, the two form an unexpectedly intense bond. As their lives and the stories they tell about themselves become intertwined in unpredictable ways, Bella makes a surprising request of Christopher that neither knows if he can fulfil. Brimming with suspense, Adam Rapp’s riveting play explores the limits of what one person can ask of another. It is a spellbinding, beautiful, endlessly interpretable play.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
Adam Rapp, our American playwright is a Pulitzer shortlisted writer and is currently nominated for a Tony Award for his adaptation of the musical The Outsiders. Matt Wilkinson is our stylish minimalist director who drives a story with impetus and intrigue and his most recent Edinburgh success being the thrilleresque Psychodrama. Our actors are Madeleine Potter, star of many a Merchant Ivory movie and rising talent Eric Sirakian, fresh from triumphs on Broadway with The Kite Runner and in the West End with Plaza Suite. Our design team includes Elliot Griggs of Fleabag fame, Gareth Fry whose incredible soundscape for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child won him another Olivier Award and James Turner who has a ton of Edinburgh successes designs for the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company. And as producer, some of the shows I’ve worked on include The History Boys, One Man Two Guvnors and most recently Nye with Michael Sheen. I think we’re a awesome team!
As for the process…..where do I start? Blood, sweat, tears…..and a helluva lot of laughter.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
It’s pretty damn marvellous coming back to the Fringe and to introduce a few theatrical virgins in our wonderful team to the experience. I produced a couple of shows at Traverse pre-pandemic including A Girl is a Half-formed Thing and My Eyes Went Dark both selling out and winning awards and onward transfers to New York. Then post-pandemic I was back with Psychodrama, and it was an anxious return as I wasn’t sure what audiences we might attract given the general nervousness around going to the theatre in the wake of Covid but it captured the Fringe word-of-mouth approval (as well as a slew of 4 & 5 star reviews) and we played to over 90% which was joyous and now a movie of it is being developed. So Adam Rapp’s The Sound Inside feels ripe with potential to thrill and engage audiences and give my Fringe newbies the tip-top Edinburgh experience.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
Being a UK premiere of a Tony Award-winning play is a bit of a coup for the Fringe. It’s not been seen this side of the Atlantic so it feels like one not to miss.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
Well I hope audiences will take away lots from it but I suppose two things immediately spring to mind. Adam describes the play as ‘haunting’ and he’s right – it stays with you long after blackout and really provokes so many thoughts and ruminations. I love a night at the theatre which leaves you talking, debating, speculating with pals over a beer and it sure as hell does that. Although it’s a short show, its value goes on for a long time after. But the other thing for me is that it is testament to that life experience – the unexpected can happen. You can plan, control, assume and then life takes an unexpected twist or turn. The Sound Inside certainly does that which is thrilling, ironic and upending. I love being wrong-footed by witty and clever writing.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
I think it will have a broad appeal – it has a thriller page-turner feel because you don’t know which route it might go – you think you do, but I promise you, you don’t! But it’s also literary and cerebral peppered with wit. And it delves into the truth about life, the choices we make and why. So quite a mixed bunch will be crowding in but I think the people who won’t be there is a young family or punters who love a sing-along! I can guarantee absolutely no audience participation.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
I think the actors and crew will be heading to a spa at any opportunity, especially after the morning shows, though not on my budget! Me? I don’t think I’ll relax until we get to breakeven. But I do occasionally do a bungee jump just to put things in perspective….though I’ve yet to find one on offer up at the Castle.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the world of the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
The biggest improvement has got to be affordability in all its forms. Make it affordable for new audiences from all walks and all ages to take a gamble and maybe get bitten by the buzzy Fringe bug (how many shows can you see in a day!). And make it affordable for all sorts of artists to make shows for the Fringe without having to borrow from Auntie Mabel or Mr Pink at HSBC!
The Sound Inside runs at The Traverse from July 28th – August 25th.
Running time – Eighty minutes without interval. Suitable for ages 14+
Photo Credit – Simon Kane Photography
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