Counting Sheep talk about their new Edinburgh Fringe show.
1 Tell us about your Fringe show
Counting Sheep is a guerrilla folk opera about the 2014 Revolution of Dignity in Kiev, Ukraine staged by the inimitable Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-super-band Lemon Bucket Orkestra.
Based on the creators’ first-hand experience on the front lines of the ongoing political crisis, the show is more of an experience than removed performance, and envelopes the audience in video footage, traditional dances, food and drink, and the ancient polyphony that has come to characterize the Ukrainian heart and spirit.
But CS is not just a show about Ukraine; it’s an exploration of what it means to protest and forces the audience to face the beautiful and terrifying realities of coming together and being together in a space that is uncontrollably changing all around us.
2 How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?
We heard this was the biggest independent theatre in the world. That's the kind of stage we feel our piece deserves. Now that we've been here a week it's clear that we made the right decision in bringing it here. It feels like the festival has been waiting for us and the gratitude of its patrons for sharing this story in such a dynamic way has been incomparable.
3 Live act most looking forward to seeing at Fringe?
Based on the cheesy posters, nothing. But I once saw a puppet theatre piece by Rezo Gabriadze I really liked in Tbilisi, so I want to see what teatro delusio is like. We only want to see work that will change our lives.
4 If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?
In Scotland? Exploring. People, streets, alleys, buildings, castles, pubs, the highlands.
5 How do you combat pre-gig nerves?
We don't. They are natural when you're playing a show as intense as Counting Sheep. We bring them on stage and leave them on the floor with our bodies.
6 Worst on stage experience?
Having to live through our friends getting shot by snipers night in and night out on stage. But it's far easier than fighting a real war like our live friends are currently doing in eastern Ukraine.
7 How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?
We've never been heckled, but we have had people that don't want to be involved (our piece is immersive/interactive). And it's not a problem. The revolution was like that too-- not everyone participated and we certainly don't force people to act against their will. We present our personal experiences, experiences that moves us to action, and give audiences a choice.
8 What do you love about Scotland?
Ceilidhs.
9 What do you like about Edinburgh?
It's mysterious, introverted. I feel like there's so much selfish desperation mixed with shameless curiosity in the air as a result of the overwhelming multiplicity of festivals that the real scots recoil and it's hard to get a read on the city's true character. But maybe I'm reading too much into it...
10 What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Our cello player bought a kilt and threw his underwear into the ravine. Is that a Scottish thing to do or a stupid tourist thing to do?
Counting Sheep is on at Summerhall @ The King's Hall (Venue 73) until August 29.
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