Interview: Arthur Hull, ‘FLOP’

27 May

Conducted by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives who are preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we dive into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect.

Today we’re joined by Arthur Hull to find out more about their show, FLOP.

1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

FLOP is a love letter to musicals. I've spent my life watching so many ‘Hits of Broadway’ type shows, where a performer wears a fancy waistcoat and an accompanist sits at the piano – performing the songs we already know and always hear. Phantom, Les Mis, Cats ….

Being a musical theatre lover and nerd for my whole life, I thought, “What about all of the incredible Broadway and West End shows that never quite achieved financial, critical or commercial success? The misses that matter!”.

While looking into these flops, I just kept on finding more and more amazing examples of incredible songs that have rarely seen the light of day just because the musical closed early.

So, my show is an exploration of why and how these musicals failed, each with their own tumultuous story and all the while bringing these marvellous songs to a new audience, with my own unique arrangements and interpretations. I sing all the songs and use two keyboards to create some up close and personal Broadway magic. As it says on the tin, these are the best songs from the worst musical ever written.

2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

I was born in Edinburgh, which is why my name is Arthur. My parents could see Arthur’s Seat from the hospital where I was born. There was also a statue of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at the end of Broughton Street where they lived, which I believe was removed due to tram works and never reinstated, a fact that troubles me deeply… where is he? I intend to find Sir Arthur!

My dream has always been to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. But I never expected I would be taking the first show I’ve ever written less than a year from its first public performance. Crazy maybe, but it feels right and I could not be more excited, it’s my dream.

3. How would you describe your show in three words?

funny; heartfelt; award-winning

4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

I want people to walk out of FLOP with a deeper appreciation of the extraordinary hard working artists that bring these incredible productions to life. The people who never took NO for an answer, not matter how loud it was being shouted at them. As they leave the theatre, I hope audiences want to learn more and go off to find cast recordings on Spotify they never knew they needed!

5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

Well, this is my first Edinburgh, so I’ll be reading everyone else's answers for this one. That being said, the best advice I've ever gotten as a performer so far is DON’T COMPARE. Every artist in Edinburgh this year is on their own journey and it is futile to keep feeling disheartened because “someone has sold more tickets” or “they got one more star than me”.

Stay in your own lane and focus on achieving your own goals, not someone else's.

6. Where and when can people see your show?

30 July – 24 August (not 12/19)

8.45pm

Gilded Balloon, Appleton Tower

Tickets: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5550/