It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to Joe Wright

Date: 1st & 2nd August
Time: 5.30pm
Price: £10
Location: Etcetera Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/performances/columbia-march-2/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi Guys, thanks for having me, well it all started on a cold brisk Nottingham  evening in 1993…hahah . No,no,  my name is Joe Wright, I am an artist/creator from Ireland originally born in Nottingham from the above . I have been in the industry for the best part of a decade mainly acting but over the past five or six years I had branched into writing. Last year I released my debut book called Notions which featured one of my more notable works called “Astronaut” which also debuted at 2017 Camden Fringe.

As well as Acting and writing I create and release Music, which as I suppose a lot of us actors know, when work is slow its incredible to have a creative outlet and that’s kind of the way I have set my self up. I mainly move between Dublin and London and I’m sure at one point I was the Number one Couch surfer in the North of London. I don’t really know what else to tell you other than I love to create and that’s what I do. I could tell you I like long walks on the beach and my star sign, but I feel that’s for another day.

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Camden fringe?

Well the name has reference for within the show to a particular item , but its actually not spelt correctly . Columbian Marching Powder doesn’t exactly leave much left for the imagination so I decided to tweak it a little.

Tells us a little bit about your style of show?

Well, how do I describe this, When the Pandemic Hit, Like most people I started asking myself what I really wanted to, what is it I want to do in this Industry , what do I want to do that makes me happy. In the past I have created some really hard shows (Sad, Social Justice, with a point) sort of pieces and I realised I had never created something that shows my Ridiculous side -Because I am quite Ridiculous in a way. I also wanted to create a piece that was minimalistic in everything, something that I put in a bag, pull up to a pub and start performing for the craic.

The last couple of years have been hard but they have given me my Madness back. In the past number of months, I have finished two scripts, one I sampled years ago in Dublin called DAFT which is a farce and obscure comedy story and this show that I am bringing to Camden Columbia March which is a Madness. It’s billed as a Solo show but it’s not, in so many ways. 

Columbia March follows the “Myth”  story of Young Ger , A naïve man who  believes the war still exists in the North of Ireland. Ger is tasked with a mission for the Irish Cause , to sail across from the Giants Causeway to Scotland but as the Tide turns Ger finds himself searching for much more. 

What will your set be about?

The set is minimalistic , a boat will there …that’s all Im saying 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Well there is three I have in mind so far, All of which I can’t wait to see 1^st DOG/ACTOR by ThreeDumb Theatre , Having Performed Dog before I’m really excited to see this. 

2^nd JULIE The Musical , Having read the description of this show I am all in for this , To bring a new Musical to life is so difficult something I am in awe of .

3^rd Kites by LIPZINC Theatre, Written by Tzarini Meyler who is an incredible writer for the obscure and natural theatre. This company has been non-stop throughout the pandemic both Physically and Digitally and I cannot wait to see the Debut of their new work. Id say it will be a stand out show 

How do you feel about returning to Fringe?

This will be my second. In 2017 I debuted Astronaut at the Moors Bar theatre. Astronaut went on a year tour across Ireland and London Gaining rave reviews, nominated for a Zeitgeist award and even warranted a screenplay adaptation , It wouldn’t of happened without Camden Fringe 

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Out of all the fringes , and festivals I have done , this is by far the most Creative friendly , for both support , layout and PRICE . The fringe discount Venues give is great , the foot traffic is fab and the people are cool. Its an arts festival not a business Festival. With new work or passion projects I would urge people to do this festival

What are your favourite things about London?

The fact I can get lost but not so much ill never get home. TFL , Trust me Irish transport is a shambles , Theres a place for everyone

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Ohh well bar the nightlife , the creative feeling and the Market, i’d say the Canal walk 

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

“Ohh your my daddy , soo strong” I was doing a panto years ago and me and the dame just started improvising during a scene , for a good ten minutes I thought I had found my father (Robin Hood) a little Italian man with his granddaughter 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who is up for a laugh

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

Lets just say Pigeons and Seagulls in my show are the enemy so if I was to call it anything it would be “The Little Bo##ox”

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

Yea my personal social is @joewright100 as well as @WrigthHereCo. Could also check out my stuff on Spotify @JoeWright 

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show? 

F##k Boris Johnson