Aloff Theatre's MY FAVOURITE MADMAN Closes Tonight at Edinburgh Fringe

London based Azerbaijani Theatre Company, Aloff Theatre, will close its production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival today, August 10, where it performed for the very first time. After a successful London run, Aloff Theatre joined the Edinburgh Fringe with the British premiere of Elchin Afandiyev's play My Favourite Madman, which runs through 10 August at the Gryphon Venues.

My Favourite Madman, set in Baku city in 1995, is a roller coaster ride of anarchic fun. The farcical element of the different characters, all in their own reality of the abnormal and suicidal challenges the functioning of the whole. Which voice amongst the characters is that of the madman? Everyone could be "the madman" but natural that it is the one "sane" voice in the chaos of fantasy that is given the title.‌

Elchin Afandiyev is one of the most eminent exponents of contemporary Azerbaijani writing and critics today describe him as one of its living classics. His first novel was published at the age of 16 and his subsequent writing encompasses a broad field, ranging from Azerbaijani folklore and classical Eastern literature to the works of Shakespeare and Moliere. He has since had over 100 books translated into more than 20 languages, which have sold millions copies worldwide. He currently holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Matthew Gould will direct the production, with musical creations of Memed Ansari.‌

Matthew Gould has been directing for a number of years focusing on New Writing, Musical Theatre and recently film. In 2012 he adapted comedienne Janice Day's book about getting over breast cancer for her one-woman show, which premiered at the Epsom Playhouse and directed the radio play "Adolf Killed my Sweetheart". Recently he directed the musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" in London's West End, the dark and moving musical "The Secret Garden" and the harrowing one-man monologue "The Anorak" by Canadian writer Adam Kelly Morton. "A Body to Diet For" a new musical will also premiere at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival along with "My Favourite Madman". He's also very pleased to direct the operatic premier of "The Miller's Wife" at The Grimeborn Festival this August followed by the film "Down Flew The Doves" based on the music of Tim Prottey-Jones.

Memed Ansari was born in Tabriz and began his music composition studies in Baku Music Academy in 1998. He graduated in 2012 under the guidance of Roger Redgate at the Goldsmith University of London and gained a Masters in Composition. He won first prize in the International Jorgensen Competition For Young Composers in 2005 in Moscow and his music has been performed in Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Canada, UK and US.‌

Last show TONIGHT: 10 August 2013, 6:20 PM (duration 90mins). Tickets: £8/£6 (Previews £6/£4, 2-3 Aug: 2-for-1, 5-6 Aug). Venue: Gryphon Venues @ the Point Hotel, 34 Bread Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AF. Box Office: www.gryphonvenues.com/my-favourite-madman // 07599903210. My Favourite Madman is supported by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

ALOFF Theatre is a unique Theatre Company dedicated to identifying, translating and organising the production of Azerbaijani plays for the benefit of UK audiences. A cultural project of AZICS, Aloff is the only theatrical group representing Azerbaijani Plays and Playwrights to Europe and also European works to the Azerbaijani audience.

Cast: Richard Stirling, Anthony Cable, Kara Lily-Heyworth, Victoria Farley, David Francis, Felix Brunger, Ben Goffe, Andy Sykes and Danny Wainwright.

Director: Matthew Gould; Writer: Elchin Afandiyev; Translator/Producer: Sanan Aliyev; Music: Memed Ansari; Lighting: Tom Kitney; and Stage Manager: Sophie Goody.

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