Hello! Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello reader, I'm Dylan, performer/writer, just moved to the UK from Australia… yes I know, another Australian.
How would you describe your show?
Blank Tiles is a solo theatre show about a former SCRABBLE world champion recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The show sees the character desperately try to document his memories before he loses them forever. You'll laugh, you'll cry, it will change your life.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
It's the biggest arts festival in the world and I finally have a show that is good enough to do well there, that can stand out from thousands of others.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
It's the only place in the world that has the potential to validate our poor lifestyle choice to be an artist. On the other hand it also has the potential to make us quit the business altogether.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
One thing is for sure - it certainly gets bigger… Next year I'll be playing in a venue at John O'Groats, thank you very much.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I told a dirty joke at a Christening. I was hooked from that moment on. Every artist at every festival I do inspires me to keep doing shows. You see so many shows, so much talent, so many ideas. It's impossible not to feed off all that creative energy.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I don't have a job… I left my job and my country to do this festival. That's how much I care. Come September, I don't know what I'll do. Do you have a job for me? Give me a job.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I think an astronaut would be pretty cool. Oh… IN the world, an astronaut is pretty boring on the ground. Um, I would like to try a lot of jobs for a few months at a time then quit. Train driver, maths genius, elite Olympian etc.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
The taste of paint. The taste of glue. The taste of Play-Doh. The taste of failure when my art teacher didn't like my picture because it wasn't colourful.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I think you need to be relevant. But no, I don't feel that pressure. I write a show to entertain. It might end up having some sought of profound social commentary but I don't set out to do that. If I tried to do that it would end up being cliché and unnecessary. I think I would feel artistically unsatisfied, like I was preaching to the choir. Blank Tiles came about because I wanted to do a show about Scrabble the rest of show came about organically.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
It's definitely beneficial to do something that people will like, so perhaps in some way. I think I'm more affected by other artists than audience desires. If artists are doing something different/original, you take note. Similarly if you see artists doing something that you think has become clichéd you make an effort to afford heading in that direction
Describe the last year in 5 words or less.
Change, Travel, No Money, Covfefe
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I'd like to do a show with Meryl Streep playing herself taking an acting class. However it is an alternate reality and she has never made it as a movie star, but instead is a bitter teacher. She's still alive. Perhaps I'll give her a call. Anyone know Meryl's number?
Blank Tiles is performing at Assembly George Square Studios at 1555 on 3rd – 28th (not 14th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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