Interview: Jessica Regan, ‘16 Postcodes’

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 Jessica Regan about her piece, 16 Postcodes.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far.

I’ve been lucky to work in television and in theatre as well as on multiple computer games and audio books. I’ve been on big stages and tiny ones, it’s really never the same year twice. But that’s why I love it. I’m so grateful for the variety I’ve experienced. It means more uncertainty and less continuity but also a broader range of stories and experiences, characters and colleagues.

What is your show about?

It’s about a relationship with a city told through a selection of stories pulled from the 16 Postcodes I’ve lived in since coming to London 20 years ago.

What was the inspiration for the show and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

I totted up all the addresses I’d lived in London when I moved to Walthamstow a few years ago and realised it came to 16. And I just really like that title. I’m a relatively nascent writer and was intimidated about writing something full length so I thought what if I start with each postcode and write a monologue about them and it went from there.

What made you want to take this to the Fringe?

I knew as soon as I started writing it I wanted to bring it to Edinburgh. I knew it would give me purpose and focus and also I can’t imagine a better home for a storytelling show with audience participation! So I was thrilled when my collaborator and Edinburgh maven Tom Salinsky was like, we should do this.

Apart from seeing your show, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Comfortable shoes, not too much beer or you’ll get sleepy in those dark warm spaces! Try and mix up your genres as much as possible. Theatre, stand-up, performance art, improve, comedy ,cabaret... GO for it. And take a punt on a wild card. You never know who you’ll see in the early stages of their career.

Why should people book to see your show?

It’s truthful and sincere storytelling about lessons lived and learned in the city I love but doesn’t always love me back and it will be different every time. So whatever show you see will be unique and you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to it, if you want! No-one will be picked on, I promise.

When and where can people see the show?

Bunker One, Pleasance Courtyard, 3.30pm July 31stto August 26th (not the 12th)