I grew up in rural Ireland where my village didn't even have a pub, let alone a theatre. For me, quite often, the only theatre experience I had was from an ameteur drama group in the next village who would put on a show once a year. I remember always being so excited to go along, getting a nervous feeling as I stepped into village hall that was now filled with tiered seats. It is something that really shaped my childhood and is likely one of the reasons I love theatre as much as I do today. Ever since I moved away from home, I haven't been to another amateur dramatics performance.

I hold shows in the fringe to a high standard, but, at the end of the day, this is a festival for everyone. Why should Edinburgh Theatre Arts (an Edinburgh amateur dramatics society) not be a part of the biggest arts festival in the world, especially as it happens right in their very own city!

Stepping into the little village hall, the memories came flooding back. The little tuck shop for the patrons, the kitchen with people popping in to make tea, the friends and family of the cast practically giddy to see their friend/relative on the stage. It's such a beautiful sense of community.

Are they the best group of actors who are going to win all the awards? No. What they are are a group of everyday folk who dedicated their spare time to be a part of something for their community. To take on a challenge and bring art into their lives and into the lives of the locality.

Like I said, without local theatre, I might not have wanted to see plays when I moved to the city. I must commend the cast for taking on a play as tricky as "A Woman of No Importance". Oscar Wilde is no easy feat even for professional actors, but there were performers on that stage that acted just as well as any professional I've seen.

There were flubs here and there and some clumsy set changes, but what mattered most was that they gave it their everything and you had a room full of people who may have never even heard of Oscar Wilde, laughing at his wit all these years later.

There was a sense of pride and achievement in the room at the end with no big headed attitude or pomp from the performers. They had brought joy to the audience's heart and put on a great show.
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Do you remember the first show you saw? Was it a professional production or something local? I hope it holds happy memories for you, and I hope that you had a fantastic fringe! 😁
Love,
Tony x