This one’s for the young hearts, the old hearts and the broken hearts. Story, science and a synth combine in an exhilarating performance that examines what happens in our bodies when we’re bereft. From acclaimed New Zealand company EBKM (Yes Yes Yes), Heartbreak Hotel tracks a woman’s broken heart in a wrenching and relatable journey that’s studded with classic break-up songs and razor-sharp observations on the physiology of love.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
Heartbreak Hotel is a play, but also Karin plays the synth and talks about science, and it’s an investigation into the process of heartbreak and moving forward and how that seems to be something we know how it works but actually we don’t and everyone’s really different. There’s two actors, Karin plays a woman recovering from heartbreak and Simon Leary plays everyone else – from the new dates to her best friend. And you’ll get to hear amazing covers of some of the greatest break-up hits
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
Heartbreak Hotel is created by Karin McCracken and Eleanor Bishop, Karin wrote and performs in it alongside the amazing Simon Leary, and Eleanor directed it. Karin & Eleanor have been making work since 2017 and Simon has been in a bunch of our shows, and actually lives in a house with Karin. I think their friendship contributes a lot to the show as they’re so brave and fun with each other on stage. We started working on it in 2021 and premiered it in NZ in 2023. It started with lots of research on heartbreak, and playing around to find different forms and a structure that might work. We knew we wanted neon lighting to be a big part of the design, it just felt like the feeling of heartbreak, so we brought on the amazing Filament Eleven 11 team to do the production design and the lighting installation they’ve built for the show is very cool. And then the gorgeous Te Aihe Butler sound designer helped teach Karin how to play the synth for the show.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
It’s awesome. We’ve been trying to come back since 2017…like coming once just isn’t enough, you learn so much so you need to try again. So we made this show with Edinburgh in mind, something that would be really fun for audiences and for us.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
Is there another show that’s going to genuinely help you feel better about your own heartbreak?!
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
The science of heartbreak is a really fun part of the show, it’s kooky and I think fascinating to learn the crazy stuff that your body is up to.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
Those freshly heartbroken, those who think they’re over it but actually need this show, those who just love classic love songs.
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?
Walking around the city with no time limit and just getting lost in all the gorgeous nooks and crannies of this superb city. I really liked Sh!t theatre last time I was at Fringe, so seeing them at Summerhall and also our NZ mates Binge Culture’s Werewolf and Trick of the Light’s Suitcase Show.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, performance, and the industry?
Cripes, that’s a hard one. Precarity makes us into competitive monsters scrapping for resources. So obviously first on the agenda would be massive structural change in terms of valuing the arts and supporting artists.
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’