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September 22, 2005
Inside With: Chris Sullivan, of Freestyle Love Supreme, Participants of the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Chris Sullivan (pictured third from left), the human beatbox of the improvised comedic hip hop mash up, Freestyle Love Supreme(pictured all around him), spent his August performing with his group in Scotland at the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Chris takes us INSIDE and gives us a glimpse of the experiences he had there.
Why Scotland? Why now? Can anyone go to Edinburgh?
Unlike Aspen, there is no official selection process for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Basically if you have the money for travel, housing, venue rent, and publicity you can be in the fest. The majority of acts are produced by a larger entity. However, just getting there is half the work- there is a LOT of competition for audience -1800 shows! And everyone fights for and cares so much about reviews--everyone who gets a 4 star and makes a big deal. Freestyle Love Supreme was lucky enough to be produced in a great venue at a great time slot with great buzz and word of mouth.
Did you get to see any of the folks perform who were in contention for the Perrier Award?
In general, the overseas comedy was wonderfully refreshing and inspiring. In Scotland, audiences were more accepting, the stand-ups were higher energy, and the comedy acts were quirky and interesting. Freestyle Love Supreme played a radio show on the BBC with Tim Minchin (Australia) who won the best Perrier newcomer for 2005. He plays piano like a mutherfucker and has amazing Ben Foldey lyrics – funny and thoughtful - the best kind of comedy. Other comedy of note: Eddie Perfect (Australia), The Defiant Thomas Brothers (Chicago), Jason Byrne (Australia), Dave Fulton (England) – oh and I saw Demetri Martin (2003 winner) riding his bike around town.
Did you run into other celebs there too?
Throughout the fest we worked with Mike McShane, Jason Biggs, B.A. Robertson (the Scottish Bruce Springsteen) and Fred Macauley- a big time tv/radio personality on BBC who we also played golf at Gleneagles, his treat, a wonderful man. A lot of celebrities were foreign so I don't really know/care who they were, but of those I do, I shared pints with Steve Furst (Whose Line, UK) and Eugene Mirman and met Ricky Gervais and Ewen Macintosh from The Office and a couple old people from the London West End that I forgot.
What's the best thing to come from the festival for Freestyle Love Supreme?
We became Super Freestyle Love Supreme from doing 25 shows in a row with no break. A lot of street busking, outdoor performances, and group bonding. There was a lot of international exposure for improv, hip-hop, and nyc… so who knows what's next.
TimeOUT NY has recently added a coveted RED STAR to FLS--has that dramatically changed things?
I didn't even know we had that but I guess it'll probably make it harder to get tickets to shows cause now we're doing a lot at Mo Pitkins which is significantly smaller than Ars Nova.
You got any additional stories or advice for future Fringers that should be passed on?
I would recommend this festival for any performer if you get an opportunity; it's like summer camp. On the other hand, if you wanna be an audience member, be aware that for a "Fringe", ticket prices can be expensive and the dollar is weak, but the nightlife, beer, architecture, beer, nature, beer, landscape, castles, etc.. are amazing. The staff that work the venues are either really cute or really cool and the parties are great fun. Do it.
Chris also attached his photo album from the trip. If you look through the pics, keep your eyes peeled for some other hometown peeps who went to the Fringe too.
Posted by The Apiary at September 22, 2005 11:41 AM
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