Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
We Will Hear the Angels explores the strange state of melancholy through words, movement and music. Performed by an ensemble of five actor-musicians, it features music by Hank Williams, Orange Juice, Etta James, Moondog and J.S.Bach among others.
It follows four lonely, heartbroken people who are gently guided by an angelic neighbour to discover that music can express what they can’t put into words.
With actor musicians, the piece explores the strange paradox of sad music – why, when we’re hurting, we’re often drawn to songs that reflect our pain rather than something more cheerful
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
One of the joys of making this piece has been bringing together artists from different disciplines. Music, movement and text all carry equal weight in the show, so it was great to work with collaborators who also cross those boundaries in their practice. The show was developed over a period of three years, and the entire team has been with us from the start.
Marisa Zanotti and Emily James have been long-term creative collaborators, and we’ve built a shared language over a number of projects. Alongside them is an extraordinary cast of musicians and performers who have helped shape the work from the early stages, bringing their own artistry and ideas into the rehearsal room.
I wrote and co-directed the piece, alongside co-director and video designer Marisa Zanotti, with design by Emily James, lighting by Nigel Edwards and music direction by Daniel Padden. The cast features Apphia Campbell (Bea), Mia Scott (Sonia), Greg Sinclair (Ian) and Daniel Padden (Lou), alongside myself as Van.
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
It’s been nearly a decade since Magnetic North has presented work across the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We’re an Edinburgh-based company with an office at Summerhall – we can see the venue we’re playing in from our office window, so it feels like an exciting homecoming of sorts!
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
I’m interested in making work that encourages people to look at themselves and each other differently. In We Will Hear the Angels each character is carrying grief or loneliness in isolation, but through music they begin to connect with one another and find a way of expressing emotions they’ve struggled to articulate.
The audience sits very close to the action – there are only two rows, arranged on three sides of the stage. This allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters’ lives and notice tiny details of what they’re doing.
I hope audiences leave reflecting on the importance of listening – not just to music, but to people around them.
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
I believe we all take influence from a number of different artforms. Magnetic North, for example, collaborates with artists from various practices to create new and original work. Marisa Zanotti – the co-director and video designer – has a background in dance and is now a film-maker.
I’m always interested in bringing different artforms together, and music has long been central to my practice. Most recently, I directed an opera by artist David Shrigley and composer David Fennessy.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
I think art should always ask its audience questions, however gently, and in my work there is always an underlying question about how we want to live.
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?
When I can, I’ll try to carve out some time to slow down – whether that’s getting out into nature, spending time with friends or simply having a quiet moment away from the festival buzz. It’s sometimes easy to forget that you don’t have to go very far out of the city centre to escape the festival frenzy and be somewhere quiet.
I’ll also be making the most of having so much incredible work on my doorstep though. It’s a joy to have my city buzzing with so much art and culture over the month.
We Will Hear The Angels runs at Venue 26, Dissection Room at Summerhall
Runs: 6th -30th August at 16:30pm
Photo credit – Mihaela Bodlovic
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’