EDINBURGH 2022: THE MAN WHO THOUGHT HE KNEW TOO MUCH Q&A
BWW catches up with the team behind The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much to chat about bringing the show to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Tell us a bit about The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much.
The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much is an intercontinental, inter-genre, cinematic caper of accusations, accidents, and accents. Our story follows Roger Clément, a Frenchman in 1960's New York. One day, a minor delay saves him from an explosion that kills his friends and colleagues. Throwing his ordered world into chaos, Roger chases his would-be assassins around the globe to discover the truth.
How would you describe the genre of the show?
A cinematic physical theatre musical comedic thriller.
What are its influences?
We are hugely influenced by classical and contemporary cinema. We often say that this show is what would happen if Wes Anderson, Alfred Hitchcock, and a Spaghetti Western had a baby. Film and TV can be so satisfying because of the ability to completely jump between time, place, and character in a split second through simply switching to another shot. We've transposed these methods of visual storytelling to the stage. Imagine the artistry, precision, and physicality of old silent films with the pacing, dynamism, and explosiveness of a modern day action film.
Who would you like to come and see The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much?
You should come to see The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much if
- you've ever known a man who thought he knew too much.
- you like poking fun at British, American, or French people.
- you like theatre that is fast-paced, immediate, visceral, and not overly intellectual.
- you like movies, television, or live music (so yeah... probably everyone?).
What sets you apart from other shows at this year's festival?
In the past century, there has been enormous development in terms of theatrical content. Amazing artists are completely exploding boundaries regarding what types of stories can be told onstage. However, there has been less innovation in terms of form, even though the way a story is told is as important as what story is told. With this show, we have created a completely new storytelling language that lies at the crossroads of live music, theatre, and cinema.
Photo credit: Jake Wadley
Sponsored content
Videos