EDINBURGH 2022: Tiger Lillies Q&A

BWW catches up with Tiger Lillies to chat about bringing One Penny Opera to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about One Penny Opera.

The story is based on John Gay's Begger's Opera written in the XVIII century. This intern inspired the much more well known Three Penny Opera by Bertold Brecht. We even used a couple of songs from Brecht and Wail but their estate told us to stop so we did!

My message is largely the corruption of society, greedy psychopaths triumph over ordinary people. The murderer Mack The Knife and his best friend, the chief police not only have huge power but end up as bodyguards and a pimps for the royal family.

Why did you decide to return to the Fringe this year?

Well, it's been a bit quiet recently so to bump the numbers up of concerts played in the year we thought it would be a good idea to play for 3.5 weeks in Edinburgh. Our manager thinks we are mad and he is probably right.

Seriously, it's lovely to be performing again after the pandemic lockdown.

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

I just hope a lot of people do come to see the show.

Do you think you know what to expect from the festival?
I have played at Edinburgh festival many times over the years. I know what to expect from it and of course it's always a mix of different things. Through the years I had horrible reviews, my money stolen by the promoter, been insulted and had things thrown at me, but there were also bad times.

Seriously I've had lots of fun playing up there through the years though I have noticed my alcohol has slowly reduced. I only drink eight pints a night now.

What's next for you after the Fringe?

Actually we are going to play at Wilton's Music Hall in London where we will be doing The Last Days Of Mankind. Then we go to Netherlands, Athens and Berlin.

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Photo credit: Daniela Matejchek

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