Interview: Katie Kirkpatrick, ‘Seconds to Midnight’

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 Katie Kirkpatrick about the piece, Seconds to Midnight.

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

I first went to the Fringe aged 16 performing in a musical, before realising that really wasn’t where my talents lie! For the past few years, I’ve been directing and producing, and did my first full festival run as a director/producer last year at Pleasance. I’m also a theatre critic - I usually write for Broadway World, but will also be a contributor for The Scotsman at this year’s festival. In my wider life, I’m only just graduating from university this summer, so looking to move into the industry full time after the festival!

What is your show about?

Seconds to Midnight follows Jo and Eddie, best friends who met during a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven at a house party. The game didn’t quite go as planned as both are queer, and instead they find themselves coming out to each other. Years later, their lives have been turned upside down by the announcement of a swiftly approaching nuclear apocalypse - this countdown forces them to put their lives and their friendship in perspective, and, with no consequences, say the things they would otherwise leave unsaid. 

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

The idea actually originally came from a Twitter thread I made about late night chats with one of my best friends - I found it fun to record, just for myself, the vast range of topics we ended up covering while sitting in the kitchen of our uni house. I always thought there was a way to make it into something theatrical, and the idea of a complete end to the world gave it the stakes and the more specific angle it needed. I chatted about the idea with my co-director/producer Matilda, and we went about finding a writer to commission and a cast. We held a series of R&D workshops on the concept, including improv sessions with our cast, and gradually the script came together.

What made you want to take this to the Fringe?

Edinburgh Fringe last year was such a special experience for me - I saw some of my now favourite shows, made a lot of lasting friends and connections, and really achieved something I was proud of, so I always knew I wanted to return this year. This show was designed with Fringe in mind, and as it came together it just seemed like more and more of a perfect fit - we don’t see very many stories about queer friendship, which is at the heart of Seconds to Midnight, and I feel like it will really find its audience at the Fringe. 

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

See as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to pick your own programme as well as seeing recommendations and the big hits - some of my favourite shows last year were those I found randomly or through a brief mention from a friend. Talk to people - everyone is friendly and keen to meet new people, so try not to keep to yourself and your friends. And thirdly, go to Mosque Kitchen for lunch - you’ll thank me later. 

Why should people book to see your show? 

Seconds to Midnight asks audiences to reflect on their own friendships, and the people who mean the most to them. As well as hopefully being a fun and moving story in its own right, we really want the show to help people appreciate their friends more and not to hold back.  

When and where can people see the show?

Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One, 11.45am 31st July – 26th August.