EDINBURGH 2022: ASSUME PEOPLE LIKE YOU Q&A

BWW catches up with the team behind Assume People Like You to chat about bringing the show to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Assume People Like You

Assume People Like You is a quirky circus show featuring unique apparatuses and awkward humour. The show is the circus interpretation of that feeling people get when they go to a party where they don't know anyone, and their personalities get a little jumbled because they're trying to fit in.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

A long time ago I was a high school teacher who was lucky enough to be scouted by Cirque du Soleil, whilst street performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Then covid hit. Now I'm a high school teacher hoping to be scouted whilst performing in a theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Like most performers at the Fringe (or at least I'm assuming), we want to be noticed by audiences, producers and people who like hiring shows, and I am no different. Earlier this year I performed the show in Brisbane, Australia, to some success and now I want to take the financial risk and test it with wider audiences.

Why did you start learning circus?

I really wanted to be an actor but learnt that I didn't understand how to improve/excel at such an artistically subjective skill. Then I had my quarter life crisis after working as a high school teacher and decided to travel to China and learn circus with some of the world's best because a) circus is much less subjective and b) the school in Beijing was far cheaper than schools in Australia.

Who would you like to come and see it?

Who would I like to come and see it?

1. Wealthy companies who need an awkward circus show for their venue
2. Reviewers who are generous with their 5-star reviews so that I can make it onto this legendary 5-star board
3. People who can't help but laugh at anything as it makes me look fantastic to the previously mentioned

Who should come and see it?

My show is geared towards those who want to see both circus and comedy in a style they've never seen before. The only way I was going to be competitive as a performer was by going down a different track to everyone else so it's a pretty unique experience. If you like any of the following, you'll probably enjoy Assume People Like You- The Office, Cirque du Soleil (I really did work for them), C3P0, Nathan For You, Parks and Recreation, Mario Queen of the Circus. Watch my promo - it'll help you know if this is for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxrc-2HvEk0

What would you like people to take away from the show?

I want audiences who see APLY to leave with some form of unique memory that makes them want to tell a friend/family/loved one something like "I saw this show and the performer in it did..........." Whether it's a weird skill, something dangerous or just me embracing collective human awkwardness, I hope there's something in there that stays with them. The show is about connecting, so maybe people can use the things they see in my show to connect with others?

Photo credit: Katie Bennet

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