EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Last Resort

Tell us a bit about Last Resort.

Last Resort is a multi-sensory show about Guantanamo Bay. On the surface, our future Guantanamo Bay is now a holiday resort; boasting excellent security, beautiful weather and all the facilities you could desire. Deep down it's an examination on the legitimacy of torture techniques, and how far we are willing to go to protect our own safety. Our audiences will sit in deckchairs, get a cocktail on arrival and put their feet in the sand. We'll take them into the depths of Guantanamo Bay and show them around.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

The show was commissioned by The Lowry last year and this is now our chance to give it its first big outing before it goes on to tour in 2018. Having brought 2 shows to the fringe in 2015, we know how a month long run can improve a show. We're also at a point now where Guantanamo Bay is unlikely to close any time soon, where we thought it would this time last year, so we have some renewed importance.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

We're performing in the Summerhall basement which is exciting. It's a site-responsive show so we're really pleased that we can retain that element of the performance at the Fringe. We get to take our audiences down to a space they're not normally allowed to go. Also we're not sure how many other shows are dishing out free cocktails at midday...

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

I think if anybody has a vague intrigue about Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - or dare I say it - terror detention, I think they'll find Last Resort fascinating. After a lengthy and substantial research process we have found out some unbelievable things that we'd like to share. From a performance point of view, if audiences want to step aside from end-on, black box shows, this will be interesting for them too.

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

I expect we'll be spending an enormous amount of time at Summerhall, which always has such a brilliant line-up. Some of my favourite things I've seen at the fringe in the past have been unexpected, or I hadn't heard of it before, or a direct recommendation, so I look forward to fully embracing those. If I had to single out a single show, I'm looking forward to seeing The Gardener by Cumbernauld Theatre, who are sharing the basement with us. They're using the same space in a totally different way, which I can't wait to see.

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

Photo Credit: DWC Imagery

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