EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Todd and God

Tell us a bit about Todd and God.

God is rebooting religion (she feels she's made mistakes, e.g. wasps) - and chooses atheist Todd as her new Chosen One. If you felt you could do anything... if you had the backing of God... how would you change the world?

I'm the grandson of a preacher man. I grew up with everything from family holidays to Christmas presents having to fit around God - a God that I slowly realized I didn't believe in. But it was granddad's job as well as his faith. I've always been fascinated with how the divine fits around the domestic. Put my personal history and the political present together, you get Todd & God - a comedy tackling a huge subject in a heartfelt way.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh suits this show, or perhaps this show suits Edinburgh. The carnival razzmatazz banana skin pipedream. That low-tech, high-ambition, seat-of-the-sweating-pants, head-in-the-clouds, fistful-of-flyers foolishness is right at the heart of this play so it feels the right place to begin its life. Edinburgh audiences are happy to experiment. I like that.

And Edinburgh's been good to me in the past. My show Skittles (a story about love - and sweets, which are more reliable) was picked up there to be broadcast on Radio 4 as Love & Sweets, where it won a BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Scripted Comedy. And Dirty Great Love Story (co-written and co-performed with the amazing Katie Bonna) won a Fringe First, transferred to New York and this year ran in the West End.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

God. God is in this play. (Luckily, God's got a sense of humour). Todd & God deals with serious subjects, but it's very important to me that the audience be entertained. I think that mix of comedy and drama is true to life. And although the story might seem fantastical, I've tried to root it in the fine grain of everyday existence. I hope it feels true.

Finally, Todd & God is the only play at the Fringe featuring UK slam champion Sara Hirsch as God. She is amazing!

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

People who are curious. Who like to laugh. Who like a good story with some twists and surprises along the way. To be honest, people who might like me. If you don't like me, you're going to hate this play.

(Also, I would strongly recommend Sara Hirsch comes to see it. The play will be in a lot of trouble without her).

Are there any other performances you're hoping to catch at the festival?

Rob Auton I always love and he hasn't cut his hair for a whole year. Which could be pretty hot in a fringe furnace room, but it's more Rob Auton to love.

Also can't wait for Box Clever at the Roundabout at Summerhall.

Timings and ticket information for Todd and God are available on the edfringe website.

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