Interview: David Patterson, ‘The Old Queen’s Head’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with David Patterson about The Old Queen’s Head.

What is your show about?

The Old Queen's Head is about finding your way back to your authentic self. Getting out of your own way. It's about grappling with how people we fall in love with change us, and often show us who we could become if we found the strength to get there on our own, against the voices in our head, against shame. Specifically, it’s about one man’s journey to self-acceptance and the gratitude he comes to find for those who helped him along the way - ex-lovers, his friends, and his Gran. At its heart, it’s about finding queer joy and celebrating authenticity. 

What was the inspiration for The Old Queen's Head and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

Well, I got dumped basically –  I know, cry me a river. Then, I ran into my first ever boyfriend for the first time in 10 years. I saw then how much that first relationship changed me, and I started wondering what this most recent one taught me. It felt like a process had finally finished. Something started long ago. I felt so grateful for the things they'd taught me, and the story just sort of came from that. It started as a 10-min largely improvised argument with the late Queen. Then over many drafts the story became clearer and with each round of revisions it got – I hope – better. Developing the show has been humbling; I’ve learned to let go of my certainty about what I’m trying to create and trust the process will produce the right story. Getting feedback from people you trust, early, was vital. When you establish their view on the central question, the characters take on a life of their own and pull the story in new and interesting directions. And you've just got to trust them. Our first run in London was very well received and just getting the piece on its feet helped you feel where beats were missing and what the story really is.

What made you want to take The Old Queen's Head to the Fringe?

It's the place to be! It's vital for up-coming theatre makers. It's the ultimate place to meet people, see other work and showcase your own talents and ideas. It's my first professional run there, so I wanted to take something that I had the best chance of doing well at Edinburgh - something entertaining but with an uplifting, heartfelt message. I want to make people laugh, and hopefully this does the job. We'll have to wait and see. 

Apart from seeing The Old Queen's Head, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Keep an open mind and see things just because they catch your eye - the joy of the Fringe is being drawn into random things that can surprise you. Taste and try everything. Book on instinct. If you're a performer, talk to everyone. Ask them how they made it, how they got there, make new friends - you never know where it might lead. And savour Edinburgh - it's one of the greatest cities on earth. 

Why should people book The Old Queen's Head?

It's a funny and uplifting story about the lessons you learn from heartbreak. It's the perfect way to spend an hour of your afternoon and it'll put a spring in your step for the rest of the day.

When and where can people see The Old Queen's Head?

You can catch the show every day from 31 July to 22 August at 1pm, The Box, Assembly!