Geez a Break Production are excited to be bringing their play to the Edinburgh Fringe this August and have taken time out to tell me more about it.
Where did the inspiration or ideas come from for your show/production?
As a company Geez a Break Production always aim to bring working class theatre to audiences, telling unforgettable and relatable stories that shine a spotlight on topics and parts of Scottish society that are often neglected in Theatre and with the full of the UK in an knife crime epidemic and youth and gang violence at a 20 year high we decided it was time to tackle and raise awareness of these issues in the hopes the production can stop even one person from carrying a knife.
The show always challenges audiences to look beyond the tabloid stereotype of ‘Neds/Chavs’ that we have all become accustomed to and ask them to see beyond the stereotype to see the real people.
What do you plan on doing to relax and get some “time out” during the Fringe?
Hopefully the weather is nice and we can fit in lots of nice walks with the dogs
And with a full on fringe Schedule ourselves, the team will be spending lots of our free time in Edinburgh to catch and support friends and other shows at the festival and soak in the atmosphere of the Fringe!
How do you deal with stage nerves before each performance, if you have them?
Nerves are part of the excitement and love of performing so I embrace them. There’s nothing better than that wee flurry of butterflies before the lights go down and you walk out on stage!
This particular production has been touring for three years now too so the cast know the show inside out so we have nothing to be nervous about now…. We hope 😂
Where are you staying during the Fringe? Did you find accommodation quite easily?
We are a Scottish based company and are located 40 mins outside of Edinburgh so we will be commuting to and from each day which is nice because you can’t beat your own bed!
What obstacles have you faced preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe this year?
Being a small independently funded company the biggest challenge we have face is funding. We have had to beg, borrow and fundraise to get here but HERE WE ARE!
We have did lots of raffles, fund raising nights, scratch cards and everything we could think of to raise the funds but it’s also been a great experience and the closer we get to the festival any fears or reservations we had have been replaced with excitement.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The journey of this production has been the highlight for me, as well as being a performer in the show I’m also the writer and director.
It went from touring small venues and art centres to visiting some of the most loved and iconic stages in Scotland – It is also my first published play! It really has been an incredible and exciting journey.
Why did you decide to the Venue you are using?
The venue is a smaller and more intimate space which works perfect for the production not to mention how central it is as we are right on the Mile.
Also as this is our first time doing the fringe TheSpace have been amazing as they offer so much advise and support, I can’t speak highly enough about them.
In one sentence why should someone come to see your show?
Because it asks you to look beyond what you think you know and judgements you may have. It will stay with you long after the final bow.
Name one other show that you plan on seeing at the Fringe?
We are going to see THE WEE MAN- Mr and Mrs as one of my best friends and when we were young cast member, Dionne Frati, is in it. We caught it at the GICF earlier this year and looking forward to seeing it again.
Where are you taking your show next?
When the fringe finishes we have two more performances of WHEN WE WERE YOUNG to go this year and they will be in The Glasgow Pavilion on the 4th of October and already we have venues contacting us about a 2026 tour so this production doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon!!!
https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:3645/
https://m.facebook.com/geezabreakproductions/
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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