Simon Wright talks about bringing SPLASH TEST DUMMIES to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: Simon Wright
Name of Edinburgh show: Splash Test Dummies
Venue: The Underbelly Circus Hub on Meadows, The Lafayette.
Performance time: 1pm
Show length: 60 minutes
Ticket price: 11.50 Adults, 10.50 kids (in pounds)

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I have always been the class clown at school so it was only natural that I went to NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) in Melbourne, Australia. And while at this Clown College I managed to become the class clown of the acrobatic school. But I did manage to learn some circus tricks along the way. Like juggling using only my mouth. But this is where I met my other two friends/comedians and we created our first show Trash Test Dummies out of wheelie bins.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
We are circus comedy life guards who get into all kinds of adventurous mischief on the beach. There is heaps of slap stick for the kids, pop culture references to make adults laugh and is simply a giggle fest for the whole family. There is synchronised swimming on unicycles, muscle beach human balances and water skiing through the theatre.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
We started working on this show after a joke while we were at the pool. I could do a plank across the pool pushing into the sides with my arms and legs, then Jack walked across the top of me and then did a hand stand. We called the trick “Splash Test Dummies” and afterwards we joked more about making a show around these water themes. We eventually did, and now it’s coming to Edinburgh!

So we have been at least talking about it for the last two years and have been making it in-between tours of Trash Test Dummies.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Routine is the key! Edinburgh is epic especially if you are there for the whole time. Just going out to see shows can be exhausting. Yoga and stretch in the morning, have a juggle, do your show, eat lunch, watch shows all afternoon and then go to bed by midnight at the latest. Or tomorrows show will be difficult to do. Oh and wear comfortable shoes as you are going to be doing a lot of walking on top of your acrobatic shenanigans.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
In a different show I did a strip down to my under pants on my 7foot unicycle while getting yelled at by the audience to “take it all off” which I then proceeded to do. Half way through getting my knickers off, they got caught in the chain and I was stuck butt naked with my undies wrapped around my knees. It was hilarious for the audience and terrifying for me, but I eventually managed to wiggle my way out while on the unicycle.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Trygve Wakenshaw and Dr Brown, as their acts are hilarious and they are amazing at weaving multiple characters together on stage in one man shows. They are just fully in the moment every time I see them on stage.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Shark attack! We have a sequence of silly moves that we do one after another which includes seagulls, sharks, jellyfish, ducks and penguins.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
Our friends from Cirque Alfonse and their show Tabarnak as they just have so much fun when they are performing on stage. Also, Glittery Clittery – an all-female comic power house of song and dance.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
Our show is a giggle fest for the whole family, including aunts, uncles and the dog. We are constantly being told by parents and grandparents that they laughed more than the kids that they brought along to watch the show.

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