Luke Delahunty talks about bringing his real-life show UNSPOKEN to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: Luke Delahunty
Name of Edinburgh show: Unspoken
Venue: Pleasance Beyond – Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
Performance time: 15:15
Show length: 75 mins
Ticket price: £7 to £12.50

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I first got involved with Bravo 22 when I was in one of their productions, Contact, in 2015 and then Unspoken in 2017. I’ve also performed with Garsington Opera in a couple of their productions and the inclusive theatre company, Graeae.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
It’s based on the lives and experiences of the cast… with a bit of dramatic license thrown in. It’s set in a club that we all frequent and we give a glimpse into our lives and the various ways that we are affected by life in and around military service.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
Rehearsals started in October 2017 for a one-off show on Remembrance Sunday that year. It’s still relevant now because the issues that are covered in the show are from the lives of the cast and some can affect anyone, not just veterans.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
This will be my first time at the Fringe so will be a new experience for me. Ask me again after it’s finished.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
Besides the embarrassing ‘mind blank’ type experience, I think it’s that I find some of the cast members in this show are genuinely hilarious off-stage and their delivery of some of the lines makes me laugh out loud on stage.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Liz Carr. It’s a rarity to see an actor with a disability on mainstream TV, it’s not something that is generally considered in the arts. Life with a disability can be hard but it needn’t stop you being successful. She’s a great testament to that. She’s also very funny in the ‘Abnormally Funny People’ show.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Not a ritual, as such, but finding some quiet space and run through my cues and lines.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I’ll try and cram in as many as I possibly can whilst there. I do love a bit of stand-up comedy so will make a bee line for those.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
Because I’m in it. Seriously though, people should see ‘Unspoken’ because it’s a real life show. It’s hugely entertaining. It’s funny, it sad…it’s an emotional rollercoaster that will open people’s eyes and make them ponder the issues that we raise in the show.

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