EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- The Swell Mob

BWW catches up with Henry Maynard from Flabbergast to chat about taking The Swell Mob to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us about The Swell Mob

Flabbergast presents their newest and perhaps their boldest creation to date - an explosive immersive theatrical experience, as dark as it is fun. Submerge yourself in the delights of our 1800s taproom; dance, sing, gamble, and cheat through this decaying world. Swig a London porter and become the hero, or swill bathtub gin and relish in the carousel. This night promises to thrill with award-winning clown, puppetry and cabaret.

Visitors to the Swell Mob will find themselves transported into its very world; the atmosphere of baccalaurean debauchery will be tangible. A faithful recreation of the historical epoch; thieves, gonophs and fogle-hunters, expert and respectable in their appearance, commence their skin and sneezer (purse and snuff-box) flimping.

With a secret supernatural twist that will delight and astound, indeed Flabbergast, our attendees.

How involved does the audience get?

Audiences will be invited to discover the secrets hidden just beneath the scum encrusted murky waters of our world.

This is a free roaming event with characters throughout, there will be the opportunity to interact one-on-one for adventurous audience members or simply to watch and enjoy the performances and clue based gaming for the puzzle fans among us.

The bar will be open throughout, proffering alcoholic beverages to our erstwhile adventurers and opportunities to gain in show currency will be available for the shrewdest of our visitors.

Who would you recommend comes to see The Swell Mob?

People who like theatre, mask, comedy, music, puppetry, gambling, drinking, surprises, intrigue, fun and weird stuff.

Also people who think they don't like theatre, mask, comedy, music, puppetry, gambling, drinking, surprises, intrigue, fun and weird stuff.

And people that have never seen theatre, mask, comedy, music, puppetry, gambling, drinking, surprises, intrigue, fun and weird stuff.

And who would you suggest maybe doesn't?

Those of a nervous disposition, ladies and gentlefolk liable to fits of swooning or mania.

Anyone with a delicate sensibility or an oversensitivity of the olfactory sense, those that consider the seedier parts of Edwardian society and entertainment, such as barrel boxing, the faro table and opium dens to be distasteful.

And there's a second show too?

The Omnitorium's Rotating Roster of Erudite Amusements and Motley Delights returns after its triumphant run in 2017, when it hosted names such as, 2012 comedy award winner Dr Brown and 2017 comedy award winner Natalie Palamides, plus fringe favourites such as Nina Conti, Red Bastard, Trygve Wakenshaw, Barnie Juncan, Helen Duff, Lucy Hopkins, Henry Maynard and a whole host more.

Hosted by The Establishment it will be a riot of comedy and cabaret featuring the illuminati of clowning and physical comedy, a different show every night highlights the best from around the festival and brings a hectic, unexpected and exciting start to your late-night revelry.

The Swell Mob is on at the Assembly Underground from

1st - 26th August (not 13th)

For further information visit: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/swell-mob

Photo credit: Henry Maynard

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