Chris Grace

Chris Grace: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019

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© Greg Crowder
Who? Chris Grace
What? Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody
Where? Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17)
When? 17:00

What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?

I am excited and scared. Every year I have added more performing and producing tasks to my plate. So I might be the proverbial frog boiling myself to death with responsibility. But I’m also looking forward to new discoveries and bringing new people and projects to Edinburgh, and I’m excited about the things I’m going to learn and the stunning new things I’m going to see.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m producing two shows, Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody, which is what it says on the tin, and John Accardo: Method to the Magic which is a fantastic comedic magic show with one of my favorite American magicians.

What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

I don’t know yet. Producing Voldemort was surprisingly smooth last year. I am prepared for adversity from any corner in the next three months.

Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?

I’m not as bowled over with wonder as I was when I first went, and I think I see more of the pattern of the kinds of shows that people bring. But I still look for that distinct Fringe experience, a show I had no idea about that turns out to be amazing, or the show that is so bad that I will never forget it (or performing a play for 2 people in a 288-seat house).

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I recommend people see as many types of shows as possible, especially if they aren’t well-represented in their home locales. For me it’s lots of circus, clown, and magic shows!

Where would you like to be in a year’s time?

Promoting my finished independent film that I haven’t actually written at this moment.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CHRIS GRACE: ‘VOLDEMORT AND THE TEENAGE HOGWARTS MUSICAL PARODY’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2019

Chris Grace: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Greg Crowder

Who? Chris Grace
What? Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody
Where? Assembly George Square Studios (venue 17)
When? 17:00

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

I have no idea, but probably not. This is my first year as a producer and the biggest unknown is that I don’t know what I don’t know. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

“Voldemort” is a musical parody and loving tribute to the world of Harry Potter. It’s a prequel of sorts, showing what Tom Riddle was like before he became He Who Must Not Be Named.

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Casting and scheduling! Getting eight talented Los Angeles actors to pull up stakes and leave the country for five weeks is very difficult.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Harry Potter fans, no doubt, but also fans of irreverent delightful comedy and music. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I’ll definitely be checking out Sofie Hagen, Phil Ellis, and as much magic and circus as I can fit in my schedule. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s either the rich tapestry of history and culture that weaves its way through the very cobblestones of the town, or it’s a restaurant called Noodles & Dumplings on South Clerk Street. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

To return to California and avoid looking at my bank account.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘VOLDEMORT’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Chris Grace

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Chris Grace is going to be a very busy man during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. He is set to perform as part of improv group Baby Wants Candy, one of the longest running improv shows of the fringe; in Julie Shavers’ comedy play Mary Go Nowhere and also in the Game Of Thrones parody: Thrones! The Musical. 

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

The chance to perform for the best audiences in the world, and see a hundred wonderful/awful/silly/amazing shows.

2) What was /is your first Edinburgh show about?

I first came to Edinburgh with Baby Wants Candy in 2012. It’s a super-fun musical improv show with a full rock band that is still a blast to this day!

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

It seems to be a diverse group: we have people that love improv comedy, and hate improv comedy, and people that love musicals and despise musicals!

© Garrett Palm

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

The time when I thought I’d treat my partner and I to a night in a hotel, which was absolutely lovely and modern and clean, and also had no fan, air conditioning or windows that could open, and we gradually heated up the damp room with our existence, and then we finally fell asleep, and then at 3 AM the fire alarm for the entire building went off so we stood out on Cockburn St with the rest of the patrons of the hotel like sad tourist zombies.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Shepherding “Thrones! The Musical” from an idea in someone’s head to a show that makes people laugh and cry and cheer.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

“Domesticated”, a show by my hilarious friend Christine Holt at Paradise in The Vault.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

I’d like to see as many old friends as possible and make as my new ones as I can!

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

It will probably be a one-man show performed in the cafeteria of the nursing home that I’ll be living in. It will feature a scathing critique of that week’s bland menu and the fact that the older residents won’t let me participate in their mah-jong game. Admission will be free but you have to bring me a newspaper and a medium-sized container of Chinese roast pork.

BOOK TICKETS FOR THRONES! THE MUSICAL AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017