Great British Mysteries: 1599? at Pleasance Courtyard’s Pleasance Below, during August.
Performer Will Close in Great British Mysteries: 1599? answers our questions.
- What is your Fringe show about?
It’s a character comedy piece about two eccentric, intrepid mystery hunters named Olive Bacon (played by Rose Robinson) and Sir Teddy Tyrell (played by me) who live and ‘work’ in Tudor London. Teddy is a former explorer, and Olive has just moved to the city after growing tired of life in the country. After solving a host of bizarre mysteries (e.g Where Did I Put My Keys?), they are recruited for a witch hunt. If they catch the witch in question they will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. If you like your comedy weird and/or wyrd, this will flick your switches.
- How many times/many years have you appeared at the Fringe?
This is our second show as Great British Mysteries; we made our debut last year at the Pleasance Courtyard and are back there again this time. We’ve also been up in the past with sketch shows, plays and even musicals. But that was in our 20s. We were young and naive then. Now we’re old and naive.
- What’s your most memorable moment from the Fringe?
The very first time I came up was the summer at the end of my first year at Manchester University. A few of us came up with a devised ‘play’ which Joe Hancock (who now directs Great British Mysteries) was leading. There was one evening when myself and Joe had been out in a bar without realising how late it had got. When we re-emerged, it was dawn and we ran down the Royal Mile being chased by seagulls. We ended up sleeping in our venue. Fun to look back on. Incredibly uncomfortable at the time.
- What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?
It’s hard to articulate what would be the ‘worst’ part of it because so much of what makes Fringe brilliant is also what makes it incredibly hard sometimes. It’s an absolute rollercoaster of morale so there are times when you just want to get the train home and then other days where you want it to last forever. It can feel a bit like the centre of the universe at times and I think that’s an important thing to fight against. At the end of the day, a blogger giving your show a 3* review that reads like a 4* review really doesn’t matter. Just have a pork bap from Oink and get on with your life.
- If you were not a performer what would you be doing?
I can’t speak for Rose and Joe, but I think I’d probably be working in sports journalism. Or at least, I like the idea of doing that a lot. It probably comes as a result of being an Everton fan; we have to have a very strong sense of humour to get by in life.
- How do you prepare for a performance?
I go to the toilet about 42 times in the 10 minutes before it starts. Rose is a vision of tranquility. Joe listens to Robbie Williams. We then usually talk about the Loch Ness Monster or the Yeti, have a little hug and give it our best crack.
- Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?
The city itself. I’ve lived in London now for seven years and if I could live anywhere else in the UK it would be Edinburgh. There are so many great bars, cafes and it just has a certain romance that I love. I’ve also always had a great affection for various Scottish bands like Idlewild, Biffy and Frightened Rabbit, so getting to be up there for a month always makes me feel somehow closer to that music. And the Mosque Kitchen is paradise.
- What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve ever done?
Me and my now wife went on holiday to Loch Ness a few years ago. I loved it. We spent a LOT of time in the Nessie Museum; I had to be dragged out eventually. We also set out on a walk around the Loch one day armed only with one packet of shortbread biscuits. No water, nothing else. We stupidly assumed we’d be able to ‘stop off at a cafe along the walk’. We are Southern morons.
- Favourite Scottish food/drink?
So many! Haggis is delicious, as is Veggie Haggis (although I have no idea what’s in it). Chip shop chips and Edinburgh sauce is always a highlight of my August. And I like my Scotch so a few late-night sessions with a nice bottle always goes down well. The after effects are less fun.
- Sum up your show in three words
Nonsense Character Comedy.
Show summary
In this edition, mystery-hunters Olive and Teddy become embroiled with witches, haunted houses, and the scent of Cardinal Wolsey's conscience. It's like The Woman in Black meets Keystage Two Tudor history.
Will Close performs in Great British Mysteries: 1599? at Pleasance Courtyard’s Pleasance Below, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
You can follow Great British Mysteries on Twitter at @GBMysteries
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