ED FRINGE 2023 INTERVIEW | Charles Edward Pipe
In preparation for the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Emmie chats with Charles Edward Pipe about ‘Five Short Plays Loosely Linked by the Theme of Crime’. It will mark Charles’ Edinburgh Fringe writing, directing, and producing debut with an anthology of five new short plays. Across the five short plays, the cast multirole an eclectic range of characters, within genres varying from farce to black comedy to situation-comedy and even Western.
Let's begin by pitching your show at the Ed Fringe, tell us about it?
Five Short Plays Loosely Linked by the Theme of Crime is – as you might have guessed – an anthology of five short plays loosely linked by the theme of crime. Each play explores a different unique scenario about crime. There’s bank robbery, extortion, smuggling: all the classics. The plays jump around between time periods and locations; one is set in the Wild West and one is set in present-day England, for example. I like to think that across the five plays, there’s something for everyone, so if you’re looking for a show to see with a large group of friends, or you can’t agree on what to watch, this show has you covered.
Where did you draw your influences from for this piece?
I watch a lot of movies and I think that spills over into my writing style. I love Westerns and – obviously – crime films. One reviewer compared the show to the Coen Brothers, Tarantino, and Guy Ritchie, and I’m a big fan of their movies so that was a very nice comparison. There’s also a bit of Monty Python in there, and The Two Ronnies, and some Mitchell and Webb.
What are the challenges of bringing a piece to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
There are so many challenges! Lots of tiny things that individually are easy to resolve, but when one hundred of them happen at once it’s easy to get overwhelmed. For this show I’m wearing so many hats: I’m director, producer, writer, prop maker, I’ve sourced all the costumes, for some of the performances I’ll be operating the lighting and sound. It’s a lot to do, but it’s extremely fulfilling, and it’s made so much easier by the rest of the company who are delightful to work with.
What can audiences expect from your show?
It’s a comedy, so they can expect some laughs. It’s very silly, quirky, zany, offbeat, et cetera, so audiences should be prepared for something a little bit strange and a little bit morbid.
What are you most looking forward to during your time in Edinburgh for the festival?
Seeing as many incredible shows as possible and meeting as many incredible people as possible! I’ve come to the fringe before as an audience member and always been blown away by the absurd amount of talent on display here, so I can’t wait to take in as much of it as possible.
What are the main things within your piece?
It’s all about crime, as the title suggests. On top of that it deals with friendship, love, greed, and America.
Where can people come and see your show?
Greenside at Riddles Court, right on the Royal Mile! The show is running from the 4th to the 26th
