EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Confabulation!

Tell us a bit about Confabulation!

Experienced actor-turned writer, storyteller and performer Eamonn Fleming is hitting the Fringe for the first time as a solo artist with his third show - Confabulation! It is an hilarious, entertaining and very human show exploring the mysteries of the science of memory and how what we remember defines us. Can we really trust everything we remember?

Join Eamonn, O level biologist (grade C) as he stumbles through the amazing world of memory palaces, false memories and Werther's Originals, calling on his own personal stories to unlock a world of remembering and making stuff up.

What was the inspiration for the play?

It's inspired by the startling revelation that something Eamonn remembers vividly from his teenage years turns out to be completely false! He remembers being a spotty teenager at a Motorhead gig. The bellowing fans, the smell of beer and sweat, the thunderous noise all seemed so real when he recalled the memory. But he discovered only recently that he couldn't possibly have been there and that it was all completely made up in his mind! This fascinated him and sowed the seeds for his third show as a solo performer.

Confabulation! starts with Eamonn's memory of the gig and he recreates the sticky atmosphere of the heavy metal gig using his electric guitar, and adds in old school projection slides, free sweets and even a bit of joining in (though nothing too scary). It ends at the cutting edge of memory research. After doing some research of his own into the workings of the memory, Eamonn was lucky enough to get the chance to meet none other than the award-winning forensic psychologist, memory scientist and author of The Memory Illusion Dr Julia Shaw, whose work helped Eamonn explore the science of memory.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

Ever since I first came to Edinburgh as a student back in the 80's I've loved the chaos, creativity and energy of the Fringe. I've been back as a performer working for other people, and as a punter many times, but 'Ive always wanted to see what it's like performing some of my own work. Having teamed up with producers LIttleMighty it's actually become possible. I've just turned 50 and it seemed like a more interesting way to celebrate still being alive. Some people splurge their dosh on a sports car or a round-the-world trip for their fiftieth: I'm coming to the Fringe.

Do you think you know what to expect from the Fringe?

Yes and No. Having performed here before I know I'm going to have days when I love it, and days I'm knackered and want to lie down somewhere quiet. I'm expecting to see some fantastic shows, meet some great people, work my arse off, get drunk, eat chips with salt 'n' sauce, spend a bloody fortune, etc. That's the 'Yes' bit. What I don't know is what it's going to be like to perform my own work, solo. I've no idea if anyone will turn up, and if they do, what they will think of it! That makes it exciting and a bit daunting as well. Like most things in life worth trying.

Who would you recommend comes to see Confabulation?

Anyone who's into theatre where the performer talks directly to them, tells stories, makes them laugh and makes them think about what amazing and ridiculous things we human beings are. If you like Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, usually go to see stand up and fancy something a bit different you should come along. There's a lot of toilet humour in the show as well for some reason: I think I'm 50 going on 12.

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

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