Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#148): Alex Garcia-Laguer, THE ALCHEMY OF SADNESS

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 Alex Garcia-Laguer to find out more about The Alchemy of Sadness.

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

At its core, this is a revenge story…sort of. It’s funny. This play was inspired by an experience I had with a supervisor at a restaurant I worked at which turned into one of the most difficult work situations I’ve ever endured. The Alchemy of Sadness came out of a moment I visualized the process of internalizing this fraught situation and not letting it destroy me or make me jaded, but I took it all and turned it into art. That said, I spent a lot of time processing the events that happened to me and realized that these types of workplace conflicts, unfortunately, happen all the time. This show is about one person’s attempt to reclaim his power in a workplace culture where everything seems stacked against him. 

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

I keep saying this, but it’s the audience. I came with my best friends last year, and I was so inspired by the entire culture that exists here during the festival. It’s artists and theatre enthusiasts. People who are willing to stick their neck out to connect with work, and that kind of trust from an audience can’t really be found anywhere else. Period. 

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

​Surreal, Tense, Transformational

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

I’d love for audiences to realise that you don’t always have to adapt to your workplace culture because it’s the status quo. Often, especially now, your workplace needs to adapt to the changing culture.  

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

​It’s very noisy. There’s so much art and creativity happening, it’s hard to figure out how to spend your day. Consult your Fringe Brochure but also trust your gut. Find the stories that really call to you. You’ll probably end up exactly where you’re supposed to be that way. 

6. Where and when can people see your show?

 ​The Alchemy of Sadness will be playing at the SpaceUK (Niddry St) August 11-23 (not August 17th).