Today we let Rachel E. Thorn take the reigns and talk about how funding can dictate the way a show develops…

My comedy murder mystery had another life. I wrote a full stageplay on a supported artist programme at Sheffield Theatres. There were characters – lots of characters! There were sets – at least two! There was action – such exciting stage combat! But you know what there wasn’t? Enough money to make it. So I took the concept and had a rethink. How can I rewrite this story, this idea, with these characters, but as an Edinburgh Fringe show that I can make and tour myself?

“I’m very lucky because Alistair McGowan has supplied the additional voices…”

So A Simply Beastly Murder was born. It’s a film noir for the stage starring the Famous Five. And IMHO it’s ten times the show the previous version would have been. All the dramatic and financial restrictions that I faced pushed me into making much stronger creative choices. And for a theatre show, that makes total sense, right? I think we go to the cinema to see technical geniuses spend millions to turn someone’s brainchild into reality, but I think we go to Edinburgh for the live experience, to be charmed, to be thrilled, to share a moment that can’t be bottled. So I’m grateful that it didn’t happen for the previous script, because I love this version so much more.

“How can I rewrite this story, this idea, with these characters, but as an Edinburgh Fringe show that I can make and tour myself?“

Now, let’s not pretend, money is essential for making theatre. There isn’t enough investment in the arts and I had some very hairy moments in the creation process of this show. I was fortunate enough to have fabulous support from Barnsley Civic and Fenton Arts and I thank my lucky stars that Keep It Fringe chose A Simply Beastly Murder as one of only 16 shows that they can afford to help this year. I couldn’t have done it without that and I am extremely grateful. But I also want to pass on the message that while artists do need money, it’s creativity that matters. Be inspired. You can do it.

So how did I create a murder mystery with detectives, suspects, police and victims but only two actors and no multi-roling? Well, you’ll have to come and see. I’m very lucky because Alistair McGowan has supplied the additional voices, and as you might expect from a BAFTA-winning voice actor, they’re bloody good. But I’m confident that you’ll also enjoy all the non-realist techniques that allow us to tell the story using just the two of us on-stage. It’s full of Easter eggs. And I hope to see you there.

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Come along to see A Simply Beastly Murder at Jack Dome at Pleasance Dome (Venue 23) – at 1.20pm between the 5th – 17th, 19th-24th, 26th-30th August

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