Interview with Eric Davis

Eric Davis, creator of Red Bastard, takes some time to talk to Voice about the show, inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

Interview with Eric Davis

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

My name is Eric Davis/ Creator of Red Bastard. I'm a relatively quiet man. And yet I am often portrayed as a monster. I am a professional provocateur, yet I do it with comedy and I think, heart.

In the past, I helped to create a Cirque du Soleil show called IRIS (about the cinema) where I played a clown.

How would you describe your show?

The audience will have the chance to make love with Red Bastard. This year's Show is about Lying and Cheating in Love. It's interactive. Funny, Dangerous and will provoke audiences to question how and why they love the way they do.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

Perhaps of all the places in the world, I've felt the most love at Edinburgh. It's the place they lined up outside the door and the shows felt the most alive and crazy.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

Size Matters. Need I say more? I'll keep it short.

Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?

I've only done 2 years. It seems to me the change is the free fringe models. People are finding economic models to produce shows that aren't so expensive.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

I realized I was very very good at improvising. I used to win awards for it in high school. It's silly, but it let me know that I had some talent there.

If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

I'd run an antique shop. Specializing in furniture and furnishings from the 1880s.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Mine. But bigger. I'd love to be writing with a crew of people to create an episodic. That's my dream.

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

Drawing a turkey around my hand.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

The pressure comes from me. I'm not a current events guy. I try to keep things a bit more universal.

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

I see people are getting much more touchy about their humor. It hasn't effected me yet, but I wonder how or if it will effect comedy. I hope it doesn't become too safe.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

I got married.

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

The inventor of the time machine. Then I could work with ANYbody in history.

Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?

I haven't done the free fringe yet. I think there are so much less costs. It's very expensive to produce your own show. I used to have a bit in my show that said- 2800 shows at Edfringe and the only people who don't make money are the artists. I think that's changing.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?

Make sure you allow yourself the mental space to go and enjoy other shows. Enjoy the moment. It can be stressful producing/ performing. But you're surrounded by amazingly creative people. Take advantage of that.

When and where can people see your show?

Come Lie With Me is at 9:30 PM at Pleasance 2 Aug 2-25. (Not the 14th) for tickets go to www.edfringe.com

And where can people find, follow and like you online?

Redbastard.com. Or FB and Twitter tag is redbastardshow


Red Bastard: Lie With Me is performing at Pleasance Courtyard at 21:30 on 2nd – 27th (not 14th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.

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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