EDINBURGH 2022: YIPPEE KI YAY Q&A

BWW catches up with Richard Marsh to chat about bringing Yippee Ki Yay to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Yippee Ki Yay.

Yippee Ki Yay is the movie Die Hard, retold as an epic poem. That may sound silly. It definitely is silly. We're having a lot of fun with the story, from a place of huge love for the film.

I'm a massive Die Hard fan and as an actor, while I may never get to play the Dane - I do get to play John McClane. And Holly, Hans Gruber, Al Powell.... plus a bunch of bad guys who may or may not survive. It's hugely enjoyable for me - and hopefully for the audience too.

For legal reasons I'm obliged to say it's a completely unauthorised parody. But parody implies I'm not taking this seriously. I absolutely am. I say that as former London poetry slam champion, Fringe First winner, BBC Audio Drama Best Comedy winner and New York cop (one of these is untrue).

Do you need to have seen Die Hard to fully enjoy it?

People at previews have ranged from hardcore fans (wearing Die Hard merchandise) to complete newcomers. After the first scratch someone said, 'I haven't seen Die Hard, but I feel like I have now', which was rather lovely. And yes, in a way, they have - but when they watch the movie it's going to have a lot less rhymes. And less free sweets. But more Alan Rickman.

There are extra jokes you'll get if you're a Die Hard die-hard, but I've written it with newcomers in mind. You don't need to know Die Hard to enjoy the show.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

There is no better place to tell the story of a New York Cop than a Scottish wine bar. (Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wine Bar, 14:35 JUST SAYING).

Who would you recommend comes to see it?

People who like laughing. Or like action. Or poetry, or romcoms. People who like Die Hard. People whose friends like Die Hard. People who think 'that bloke doesn't look like Bruce Willis.' People who like terrorists. People who hate terrorists. People who want to see how we're going to do some of the most iconic stunts in film history in the Gilded Balloon.

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

Terrorists. German terrorists.

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