There is not a lot of equality at the fringe. There are a huge number of shows by a range of companies and artists supported in varying degrees by venues, producers, parents, overdrafts and crowd funding campaigns. There is no hard and fast rule to success, no guarantees, no dead certs. There is speculation, opportunism and good old fashioned luck. Today after show 13, unlucky for some, we reflected on the barmy day we had yesterday. We were at an awards ceremony after being shortlisted, with 6 other companies, for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award. It was an honour of course to be judged by 3 well established journalists and 2 industry experts on the merit of our work and then be invited to be part of this nominated group. Prior to being in Edinburgh there had been a few people who suggested that SMASH IT UP was too Newport-centric, not relevant to the rest of the UK. However what has resonated with people from all over the country is the epidemic of new property development to regenerate supposedly sagging city centres. Each of these new developments becoming private property, policed by private guards and restrictive dogma. Edinburgh we are told is a prime example of this, as is Leeds and London.
We are the only self-produced company at the awards. We are here as part of Wales in Edinburgh supported by Arts Council Wales and Wales Arts International and thankful that these bodies have again seen the value of our work. We did not win the prestigious award. However we are praised and thanked for our work and presented with a nomination certificate. It was, of course, a thrill. It had also been a bit of a distraction, we are unaccustomed to the attention of the press, critics or judges, and to be honest I was glad when the day past. However the comments of the panel, the warm reception of the Amnesty team and the other nominees made us feel very humble and honoured.
We sing about the shortlisting as far and wide as we can in an attempt to bolster our final audience numbers. There is an increase of traffic here at the fringe as the British Council Showcase kicks in and delegates rush between venues to catch the shows in that elite cache. A delegate from Egypt stops and talks to me for a while and we discuss the state of the country post Mubarak and the heady days of the Arab Spring. She talks candidly about the restrictions on creative voices, the loss of public art and the conservatism that has taken a firm grip. I admire her independent thinking, thank her for taking some time to chat and she says that she will try and make a showing. Edinburgh at this time of year is full of opportune meetings and conversations.
As we prepare for our final 2 shows and a rapid get out at Summerhall it is worth reflecting on these past 3 weeks. There is something so absorbing here that it is hard to imagine any normality outside of this one. During a show earlier in the run I had a sudden flash of reality when I wondered for a split second if I had paid the rent. I banished such a distracting thought and must acknowledge that I have done so with many other practical reminders. I am hoping that we have electricity when we return. This is what the fringe allows or expects. The fringe is a distillery for creative and business ideas and interactions. It is so consuming that you cannot fail to learn about your craft, vision, ambition and flaws. It is a vicious and victorious model. It is intensely lonely and full of camaraderie, candour, charm, competition and catharsis.
It was our intention to make a performance that reflected the society we live in. We have been doing so quietly in Newport for 3 years, starting with The Meeting in 2012 and further with Beneath The Surface and Smash It Up. We have been instrumental in setting up an arts collective to further this work. We have been well supported by the public and friends who have attended and further discussed the impact and worth of this type of work. Here, in Edinburgh, we have received the critical acknowledgement that we were seeking. Here, more than ever, I feel fiercely independent and strong.
Gareth
SMASH IT UP – Summerhall (Venue 26) until 29th August, Touring across Wales from February 2016
SMASH IT UP is part of Wales In Edinburgh, supported by Wales Arts International and Arts Council Wales.