Edinburgh Fringe 2010: Interview Ryan Millar ‘Roman Around: A Guided Tour of the Eternal City’

After spending two years as a tour guide in Rome Ryan Millar brings his uniquely observed historical show to Edinburgh Fringe 2010. He is going to be for the first week only and we think this is one of the most original shows of it’s type of the fringe this year and we really recommend seeing. Ryan was kind enough to answer a few of our questions as a lead up to what is arguably going to be one hell of a Edinburgh Fringe 2010!

More information on Ryan’s show can be found at the end of his interview.

How have things been going, you all done and dusted for the summer shows or are there still some creases to iron out?

This is my first solo show and my first trip to Edinburgh, so I’m far from done and dusted – I’m busy calling in favours, rehearsing like mad, and trying to sort out administration and… well everything except for the script. The script is pretty well polished.

What has made you want to do the Laughing Horse Free Fringe?

Two things: from a principle point of view I like the Free Fringe’s commitment to making the Fringe experience available to the performers who couldn’t afford to do it otherwise. The whole thing has got a real community feel to it; plus, looking at the acts, it’s clear there’s some top quality in the Free Fringe. From a practical and personal point of view: I wouldn’t be able to afford to do the Fringe otherwise.

Have there been any obstacles in producing this show?

Quite the opposite, I’ve got a lot of really talented friends who have stepped up to help with photos, website, artwork, and so forth. Plus I’ve got lots of great feedback from people on the concept and the script. Personally, I’ve been writing and performing comedy (although mostly performing) for about ten years, so this show is actually a natural evolution.

What was the best feedback you got from your audience or the press?

The show will premiere in Edinburgh, so there hasn’t been any audience or press feedback yet. However, I’ve been working on the script off-and-on for a couple of years. I gave it to one of my course tutors (who also happens to be the programme head of the Performing Arts Department), and he really liked it, and encouraged me to take it further.

What was the Best and Worst shows you’ve played?

I used to tour Holland performing sketch and improv with Boom Chicago, and there were a couple of times where, after travelling on the train into a corporate event in the Dutch hinterland, the audience just didn’t understand why we were there. They usually got onside after a while though.

Best show?

Hard to say, but a couple of years ago I played the Maniac in a production of Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist in Brussels. It’s a challenging role: lots of fake mustaches and accents and messing around with other characters/actors/the audience. It was a blast.

What can people expect?

Roman Around has a split structure, so it includes a tour of Rome (with invisible site-seeing!) as well as me reflecting on my time working in that job. It was a surreal and wonderful time. I also tell a few historical tales: such as the story of Romulus and Remus and the Great Fire of Rome. So I would tell people to expect the three pillars of theatre: comedy, drama, and history. There’s no strobe lights or powerpoint or anything, so don’t expect that.

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

Putting this show on has forced me to really step up my administrative/organisational game. People who know me might be thrilled to hear about my personal growth in this area. Potential audience can be excited about the prospect of taking a tour of Rome with a real tour guide, without actually having to do any walking.

Who has been an inspiration to you?

Every single person I’ve spoken to who has gone to Edinburgh Fringe, as a participant or as audience member, has raved about the experience. That’s inspired me to go experience the awesome for myself.

What advice have you been given, and what advice would you give someone bringing a show to the Free Fringe?

Meet your deadlines re: publicity and contracts and things, and meet other acts and performers and work out ways to help each other out. That’s what I’m working on. While there, see as many shows and have as much fun as you can.