Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#119): Niall Moorjani, KANPUR, 1857
As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by Niall Moorjani to find out more about their show, Kanpur, 1857.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
It’s an explosive satirical take of the Indian uprising of 1857 and specifically the events which took place at Kanpur. It was inspired by these events but also the horrific events in Gaza, I was struck by the parallels of colonial oppression and collective punishment and was determined to write something in response. It features myself playing an Indian rebel who is strapped to a cannon and being forced to tell their version of events by a British officer (played by Jonathan Oldfield). It’s got a trans love story, love, jokes, drama, betrayal and devastating storytelling. All of this set to live music from the Tabla master Sodhi. We have been super lucky to win the Charlie Hearthill (global majority) award with Pleasance and cannot wait for people to see it.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
I tend to come up every year, and these days I live in Edinburgh which sort of makes it a no brainier. I love doing the festival and particularly enjoy the way in which a show develops over the month. I also love seeing as much as possible and swear I grow massively as an artist for the exposure to lots of amazing other things. Then of course there are the opportunities in terms of platform, press and audience but really it is about the joy of getting to do a show every day (or in my case two) and the impact that has on the show and you as a creative.
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
It. Is. Explosive.
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I really hope they take away the level of historical accuracy and detail I’ve put into the world and the nuance that comes with that. History isn’t black and white and it isn’t good and bad, it’s just our shared past and we are inherently complex. That being said I really want those who have felt the weight of colonial oppression to feel seen and represented and for those who haven’t perhaps invited to think differently about things, if I could change someone’s perspective on what’s happening in Gaza that would be huge, but just to shed light on the brutality of historical and current colonial systems would be enough. It’s also a funny show, so I hope people take that I write good jokes and that Jonathan is hilarious (but also so sinister), he is amazing, come see Jonathan (but don’t take him away I need him to do the show).
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Don’t drink 7 pints a day.
6. Where and when can people see your show?
Pleasance courtyard, beneath, 15:40 every day.
INSTAGRAM: NiallMoorjani
SHOW LINK: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/kanpur-1857
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