In this solo show, performer Dan Kelly shares his decade-long journey as an international data collector tasked with recording the real-world cost of living across the globe. From the creator of How I Came Third in the North Korean Marathon, the production offers a unique look at a man who has traveled to almost every country on earth just to log supermarket prices.
Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
How I Went to Every Supermarket in the World is the story of a job that I did for a decade collecting the prices of day-to-day goods all over the world. Back in 2014, I got a job alert email saying “Could you find the price of an apple in Liberia?” Hmm. 10 years, 8 passports and a whole lot of countries later I retired, and this is the story of how.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
The show is just me! And I’d say the process has been a fun journey back through a decade of trooping around shops recording prices. I’ve got loads of old maps, ticket stubs, shop lists, and of course hours (upon hours) of Dictaphone recordings of me listing items and prices. So creating the show has been a deep dive through it all to see if there’s any gold within.
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
I actually went to Uni in Edinburgh, and used to work on a coffee van in Bristo Square during the fringe every August so I know the place (and the festival) really well and it’s always a pleasure to come back. Makes me realise my relationship with the city is very caffeine based actually but it is a great place for caffeine fans.
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
Not to labour the point…but I have genuinely been to pretty much every supermarket in the world, and I don’t think anyone else has. This was the thought process anyway, when deciding on the title “How I Went to Every Supermarket in the World.”
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
The last show I did here was called How I Came Third in the North Korean Marathon, another true story, so I guess this one is trying to hit that balance between immersing the audience in a cool story and making it funny/entertaining.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
In a classic (desperate) attempt to stand out I reached out to Sainsbury’s to see if there was some way people could get Nectar Points if they bought a ticket to the show. Sainsbury’s explained that my query was really important to them and are aiming to get back within 28 days. If not cold hard loyalty points then, I’d like audience members to take away the usual (but vital) messages of chase your dreams, watch out for incoming bots, and that some spam emails should be considered.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
Punt-takers, dreamers, and well, anyone who fancies it really.
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?
Childcare. I have two young children so my relaxation plan is to hang out with them all day, and then a quick (and surely easy) transition into performance mode come the evening. 6am, we go again. Watertight plan no?
Dan Kelly: How I Went to Every Supermarket in the World will run at Venue 288, Just The Bottle Room at Just The Tonic at The Mash House
Runs: August 6th – August 30th at 19.30pm
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