Interview with Ali Beattie

Ali Beattie, Producer from Story Pocket Theatre, talks to us about producing theatre, and gives advice to young people.

Interview with Ali Beattie

Firstly, could you introduce yourself, and give a quick summary of your show?

I am Alison Beattie, producer of Michael Morpurgo's King Arthur, an epic journey of heroism, love and betrayal with tales of Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, Excalibur and the Round Table.

A Pocketful of Grimms, Magical retelling of some of the best-loved tales including Hansel & Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast and more.

Storyteller Storyteller, A feast of clowning, physical silliness and magical, non-verbal storytelling as rival storytellers go head to head.

Pub Quiz for Kids hosted by Patrick Monahan, a quiz that goes where no quiz has gone before.

What is your earliest arts memory?

My piano teacher hitting my fingers when I got a wrong note

What first encouraged you to become a performer?

Being good at singing and encouraged at each school I went to.

Do you remember your first professional performance, and how did it go?

Yes it was a tour and it was incredibly fun – just 3 of us and we had such a laugh. It was all about Lord Shaftesbury – the show went well too!

What do you feel is the best thing about your job?

The variety of things I have to do day to day

Conversely, what is the worst?

Sitting at the computer doing admin work

How do you decide whether or not a show has gone well?

I decide on how the show makes me feel – if it is slick, well-paced and magical it has gone very well.

If you could work with anybody, dead or alive, who would you choose to collaborate with?

Baz Luhrmann – his vision for Moulin Rouge was completely inspiring.

What made you want to come to Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It is the biggest and best Festival in the world and such an important platform and showcase for people to see your work.

Is performing at EdFringe different from 'traditional' shows?

Yes very different. There is the technical difference in that you have to be in and out of the theatre sometimes in as little as 7 mins. Then there is the whole atmosphere in Edinburgh during the Festival and the buzz of creativity everywhere.

If you could travel back in time and give 16 year-old you one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't be afraid of failing.

What advice would you give to young people who want to enter the industry?

Get out there and do anything and everything within the industry and create your own opportunities.

Do you have social media that our readers can follow you on?

@story_pocket

Where can people catch your show during EdFringe?

Michael Morpurgo's King Arthur is at Gilded Balloon @ The Museum at 2.45pm

A Pocketful of Grimms is at Gilded Balloon at 11.15am

Storyteller Storyteller is at Gilded Balloon at 12.40pm

Pub Quiz for Kids is at Gilded Balloon at 2.30pm

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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