Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
Our show is the first stage adaptation of the BBC adaptation of I, Claudius by Jack Pulman, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. Based on the classic book by Robert Graves, the original series remains one of the greatest achievements in British television, proving that compelling performances and exceptional writing can be more powerful than spectacle. And I hope this new two-part adaptation proves just how compelling this story and dialogue remains
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
The adaptation has been a labour of love over several years by our company director Jonathan, translating Jack Pulman’s extraordinary television scripts into something that works on stage. Around the show is a hugely talented Edinburgh-based creative team, from a cast of more than twenty actors to designers and technicians who have embraced the challenge of telling an epic story with imagination and intimacy rather than spectacle. Every decision has been driven by the same principle that made the original series so successful: trust the writing, trust the actors, and let the audience’s imagination do the rest.
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
As an Edinburgh company, the Fringe is always a special time of year. It’s exhausting, exhilarating and unlike anything else in the theatre calendar. There’s something wonderfully fitting about premiering such an ambitious adaptation in a city where audiences are willing to take a chance on something unusual. We can’t wait to share this production with both devoted I, Claudius fans and people discovering it for the first time.
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
We are the first ever staging of the BBC’s I, Claudius, and as a local company we are lucky to have the resources to do justice to this amazing piece of writing. We draw on a wealth of talent from around the city, with a cast of over twenty playing more than eighty characters over the course of the two parts. We are also fortunate to work with a venue (the Royal Scots Club) that gives us the time to truly do justice to the original series, staging I, Claudius as two plays, each two hours long. While there’s a huge amount of exciting work at the Fringe creating a whole world with one performer in 45 minutes, some stories benefit from having more time to breath, and the experience and talents of a whole ensemble of performers. We’re so excited to be able to highlight the skills of so many local creatives to an international audience.
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
Many of us have backgrounds in classical theatre, particularly Shakespeare, so we’re used to tackling stories full of political intrigue, family rivalries and larger-than-life characters. That experience has naturally shaped our approach. Rather than trying to compete with modern television spectacle, we’ve embraced the theatricality of the piece, focusing on language, performance and storytelling – the very qualities that have made the BBC series endure for fifty years.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
I hope audiences come away reminded that great drama doesn’t need elaborate effects to be gripping. I, Claudius is as funny, shocking and moving today as it was fifty years ago because it’s ultimately about recognisably human ambitions, fears and flaws. If people leave wanting to revisit the original series, read Robert Graves’ novels, or simply spend the journey home debating who was the most devious member of the Julio-Claudian family, we’ll have done our job.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
Of course we’d love to see fans of the original BBC series, but this production isn’t just for them. Anyone who enjoys brilliant writing, complex characters and stories of power, betrayal and family dysfunction will find plenty to enjoy. If you like Succession, The Sopranos or Game of Thrones, you’ll recognise the DNA immediately. The only people who might be disappointed are those expecting gladiator fights and CGI – our Rome is built from words, performances and a little imagination.
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?
As an Edinburgh-based company, many of us are also working our regular jobs throughout the Fringe, so outside of the show there’s not always much time to relax. Some of us are also in other shows such as I Love Thee, I Love Thee Not, a Shakespeare medley also at the Royal Scot Club. As our upcoming Christmas show is Jane Austen’s Emma, you’ll probably also find a contingent of us at the always-hilarious Austentatious, an improvised Jane Austen novel!
I, Claudius: Part 1 and 2 runs at Venue 241, The Hepburn Suite at The Royal Scots Club
Runs: 17th -2nd August at Various times
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’