Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#144): Guillaume Pigé, THE NATURE OF FORGETTING

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 Guillaume Pigé to find out more about their show, The Nature Of Forgetting.

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

The Nature of Forgetting started with a question: ‘what is left when memory is gone?’. We could not put the answer into words so we made a show about it.

At the beginning, we were very inspired by Writer Bruno Schulz and Theatre Director Tadeusz Kantor, with pieces such as The Dead Class and Wielopole, Wielopole. Both deal with the world of childhood memories and the impossibility of returning to one's past. Theatrically, the challenge of making visible on stage something that isn't there anymore was very appealing.

Our main character is Tom; a middle aged father living with early onset dementia, being cared for by his daughter Sophie. We present him on the day of his 55th birthday. As he struggles to get dressed for his party, the feel of his clothes sparks him into life.

Ultimately, The Nature of Forgetting is about the fragility of life and that eternal ‘something’ we all share which is left when memory is gone.

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

Our last time at the Fringe was back in 2019 and it felt like this year would be a good time to re-establish a presence in Edinburgh. It’s also an opportunity for us to up-scale. The Nature of Forgetting will be playing in the emblematic Pleasance Grand - one of the Pleasance’s largest venue. We are looking forward to seeing if our work and unique style of storytelling can appeal to a wider audience. 

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

Magical, unique and sweaty.

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

The one takeaway for me from the past 10 years of making, touring, refining and breathing new life into The Nature of Forgetting - it's to remind myself to be present, in the moment, and realise life as I live it. If the audience can connect with that and bring some of it into their own lives after watching our show, then that would be success. 

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

Find joy in everything you do. The fringe can be a challenging environment at times so constantly reminding yourself that it should be fun and joyful is important.

6. Where and when can people see your show?

Pleasance Grand. 13h15, Aug 9 to 23 (not 13 & 20)

X: @TheatreRe

INSTAGRAM: @TheatreRe

SHOW LINK: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/nature-forgetting

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