Interview: John Rayment, ‘Timeless’

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 John Rayment about Timeless.

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

Hi, I'm John Rayment, I've been making theatre for most of my life one way or another, and managing to make a sort of living at it for around 17 years, after one of those life-changing, "if I don't do it now, I never will" moments.

What is your show about?

TIMELESS is the story of Martin, a London cabbie, who, after going to the dentist over a decade ago, hasn't been able to make new memories. He still has the encyclopaedic "Knowledge" of London streets, but every morning when he wakes up, as far as he's concerned it's still 2008, and the years since then are a blank. The play's a sometimes-funny, sometimes-tragic exploration of how this affects him, his wife and family, and what the future holds for them all.

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

You'd have to ask Brian Coyle (who wrote the piece) about the specific inspiration - the first I knew of it was when, after working with him on a short play of his some years ago, he got in touch, and said that he had this play about memory, and would I like to do it? (answer was: "yes please!"). It's had a few outings already - starting off at the Hen & Chickens for the Camden Fringe in 2018, then Theatre N16 at Tottenham Hale, and a mini-tour to The Space on the Isle of Dogs, 53Two in Manchester, and the Alma Tavern in Bristol.

What made you want to take TIMELESS to the Fringe?

It always felt like a perfect Edinburgh show. It's a solo piece, it's just the right length, and it's ideal for small venues. Circumstances got in the way a bit - our mini-tour was rather thwarted by the after-effects of Covid, so we rested it for a while. But now, here we are!

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

See as much as you can. Don't be too picky - some of the most memorable shows are often the ones that stretch your tastes and boundaries.

Why should people book TIMELESS?

I'm biased, of course, but I think it's a moving, touching and funny piece. It'll break your heart, but hopefully also give you a little warm glow.

When and where can people see TIMELESS?

It's at the Haldane Theatre, part of theSpaceUK @ Surgeons' Hall. 12th-17th August at 10:50am, and 19th-24th August at 6:30pm