Tim Vincent brings ONCE SEEN ON BLUE PETER to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: Tim Vincent
Name of Edinburgh show: Once Seen on Blue Peter
Venue: Assembly Ballroom,
Performance time: 2.50pm
Show length: 60mins
Ticket price: £19.50 – £22.50

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
My first ever foray into acting was in a Clwyd Youth Theatre production of Animal Farm at Theatre Clwyd at the tender age of 12. I really threw myself into the part of playing a sheep whose only line was ‘Napoleon made us do it sir’ The acting bug bit and by aged 15 I was playing the lead role Billy Ryan in ITV’s Children’s Ward, a part I played for six years balancing time off school, exams and scripts. A good template for producing and acting in Once Seen On Blue Peter.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
The genius of this Edinburgh play is really the casting. Having had an idea last year about setting a group of ex Blue Peter presenters all playing themselves in a fictional green room.I knew it would only work if we could persuade presenters that could act AND were happy to play a heightened version of their personas. Basically for them to open up about what it’s like to be a ex host of a iconic show in a wickedly funny way. Imagine the ethos of the TV Series ‘The Trip’ starring Steve Coogan and Rob Bryson, they are themselves but with a knowing inside joke. Not an easy ask, however with Oliver Award-winning Tim Whitnall’s script and the trusty directorship of Ian Talbot I am delighted we have our dream team of presenters.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
The show has been germinating since last year. It’s a cheeky take on the television industry, on presenters who may have done many other notable jobs but will forever be known for being an Ex Blue Peter presenter! I was keen to set the one hour play entirely in a green room. Any artiste will know that’s the dramatic lair where thespians relax and can be a little demanding, bitchy and indiscreet!

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors?
This will be my first ever experience of the Fringe and I am so excited to be there with my own production, with a once-in-a-lifetime cast and a script that makes everyone laugh even if I just read a page or two to them.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
Working on live television since the age of 21 (Blue Peter) there have been many many embarrassing mishaps. That makes fronting live projects all the more fun. However, hosting Miss World live for the E Network to millions of viewers when two cameras broke and the autocue stopped certainly made me reevaluate my chosen profession after the show wrapped!

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I have no pre show rituals before performing except to make sure I am in the moment and I know my lines.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I am looking forward to seeing whatever shows have people talking and shows that has a comedic twist.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
I think Once Seen On Blue Peter is well worth a ticket because you will never again see such an illustrious cast of known Blue Peter presenters together on stage royally sending themselves up but at the same time can make you pause and remember, celebrate television and of course laugh like a hyena.

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