EDINBURGH 2022: Ellie MacPherson Q&A

BWW catches up with Ellie MacPherson to chat about bringing Happy Birthday Mr. President! to the 2002 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Happy Birthday, Mr President.

My show is a history of the US Presidents in story and song. I share strange and interesting facts about the men (ugh, yes, all men) who have held the highest US office and connect them with music. We do this wild thing in America (I'm American, could you guess?), where we elect a specific person to be President. Yes they represent the party, but we are specifically voting on a singular person to be the executive officer of our country. As a little girl I became obsessed with the men who thought they were special enough to run a country. And I've spent my life learning about what made them so special. Turns out, they're not all so special, they're just kind of weird. President Taft's favourite food was opposum! President John Quincy Adams swam the width of the Potomac River naked every day until he was 78! President Van Buren's first language was Dutch! DUTCH! But like... look where choosing these men got us? Anyway the show is NOT a bummer which is exactly what someone says when things are a bummer but I really promise this time it's fun.

Why did you want to bring this show to Edinburgh?

I think the Fringe is the place to come with shows that don't fit a particular box. My show is part comedy, part cabaret, part history talk, part rock concert. It is almost impossible to categorise. To me, the Fringe is a space where folks can take their strange new show and get it up in front of intelligent audiences who are willing to be surprised. And I really wanted to do a show about American history for non-Americans. I think a lot of these themes that I am thinking about - patriotism, leadership, sexual dynamics - are universal. But for Americans right now it's a little, shall we say, heated. Maybe it's really heated for y'all too, but let a girl dream. I also have this idea that UK audiences are more welcoming of multi-hyphenate funny people. You have panel shows. And are fine with people doing theatre and TV. Wow! In America I go into a little actress box and have to stay there and I want to be free of the box! Ok so I guess I'm coming to Fringe for freedom? I think I've watched Braveheart too many times.

Do you have a favourite president?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF COURSE! I love Abe so much. We all know he had serious brains, but he also had serious brawn. He once physically threw an opponent out of a debate. HOT! And apparently he had a great sense of humour. Imagine! A politician with a sense of humour. Plus he struggled with depression and imposter syndrome and the more I think about it the more he sounds like my dream guy. Honestly, the most romantic thing that's ever happened in my entire life was when my then-boyfriend, now-fiancee slow-danced with me in front of the Lincoln Memorial while quietly singing me "My Funny Valentine." I wept, not just because it was the sweetest thing ever, but because Abe Lincoln wasn't our president. In fact, about once every 2 weeks I cry about Abe Lincoln being dead. I live a normal life and am a normal girl!

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

I think I'm not going to sleep a lot! And that's about all I can expect. I've just heard it's so magical and fun and high energy and you get to see such great stuff and meet such great people. I can't wait to be surprised by all I learn and see and do. I think maybe I expect that I will want to stay forever? Scotland probably has more of their stuff figured out then the US. Also, my great-grandparents emigrated from Edinburgh so I'm beyond excited to see where they were from!

Who would you recommend comes to see you?

Anyone who likes to laugh, likes music and was born into a nation-state post 1945. Pretty wide berth there! Honestly I think anyone who is interested in history or America or politics. Or even if you're a person who is interested in none of those things but likes the music of Dolly Parton, Britney Spears or Queen. Come on down! Maybe I'm casting aspersions here, but I think most folks living right now are struggling with what it means to be a citizen of a nation, with all its attendant history and culture. I think we're looking for what is civically right to do and though I don't have any answers, I have a lot of fun asking the questions.

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