The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, with over 3,700 shows. This year, Playbill is back at the Fringe and we’re taking you with us. Follow along as we cover every single aspect of the Fringe, aka our real-life Brigadoon!
Hubris is one hell of a subject for a theatre piece.
The Emu War: A New Musical is a comedic gallivant through one of the most ridiculous events of the 20th century (and that's saying something). Here are the facts: Following World War I, a number of Australian veterans were given land in Western Australia by the government, ostensibly to begin post war careers as farmers. Upon the onset of the Great Depression, said veterans (many of them grapplings with the effects of shell shock, PTSD, and prolonged isolation) were promised large government subsidies if they were able to increase the size of their wheat crops. One small hitch: the 20,000 emus (a flightless bipedal bird that regularly reaches more than six feet in height) that love to feast on the wheat seeds before they can germinate. The birds burst through rudimentary fence lines and overcame typical bird removal tactics due to their size
The farmers joined forces with the Minister of Defense, Sir George Pearce, and Major Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery's 7th Heavy Artillery in an all-out machine gun assault on the bird population. It was to little avail. In the end, less than 1,000 emus were killed, and the "war" is remembered as one of the few times man has been bested by beast in combat.
Lotte Pearl, the creator, composer, and star of The Emu War checked in with Playbill to discuss just what it takes to lift such a wacky moment in history off the page and onto the stage.
How long have you been working on The Emu War?
Lotte Pearl: I’ve been working on it since November 2022. Oe of the first songs I wrote was actually "Me & Emu"! I found an old voice note of it the other day dated back to then, with my flatmate at the time watching football in the background.
Then in April 2023, I enlisted the help of my good friend Toby Little, I had created demos on garage band (at 3am) with the melodies, harmonies and chords. I sent them to him and he turned them into lovely songs through his masterful accompaniments and arrangements.
What inspired you to musicalize this particular moment in history?
My brother told me about it when I was 12 and to this day, I think it’s just incredibly funny. The Australians lost to emus.
What is your road to Fringe?
Once me and Toby had created most of the music, I wrote the script and then I got a few friends from Bristol Old Vic Theatre school (where we are currently students) together to play the parts. We rehearsed and workshopped it in the evenings and did a concert at our drama school in June 2023. People were overwhelmingly positive and supportive about it, so we kept going! Our cast member Spike choreographed it, we then did fundraisers, were finalists for the Charlie Hartill Fund, won support from Seven Dials Playhouse, were recipients of the Keep It Fringe award, did six previews (in Bristol, Wales and London) and then finally landed at Fringe!
Do you feel any affinity toward a particular animal, as Major Meredith does?
Yes, my dog Coco (named after the Pixar film). I am obsessed with her, she is the perfect dog and my Lock Screen. If I ever feel homesick, I just look at photos of her.
Why was it important to you to bring this show to the Fringe?
I think this show is quirky and really suits the style of the Fringe! I’ve always wanted to bring a production here and I think more people need to know about this story.
What’s been the most difficult part about performing this particular show in the Fringe so far?
Our slot is at 12 pm so we to wake up at 9 a.m. and flyer everyday. Balancing seeing late-night shows and getting up early has been hard. This is also the longest run of a show any of us have done, we’re learning lots about sustainability and looking after ourselves.
What has been the most rewarding part about performing in the Fringe?
I love watching the audience and seeing the delight on peoples faces. I really want to create shows which make people laugh and entertains them! Laughter is so important and if I can bring joy to people through my work then I am happy!
What’s something you’ve learned over this run about doing Fringe that you wish you had known at the beginning?
This is my third time at the Fringe, but first time with a show. Last year, I did a lot of research whilst here so I was pretty prepared, but it’s very different being a visitor than a producer and actor.
What other Fringe shows would you recommend that people go see and why?
I have enjoyed many! I loved Showstoppers, The Long Run, Sorry (I Broke Your Arms and Legs), and Playfight. Our director has written a show called Hardly Working, go see that! Also I’m going to watch A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking an a Rocking Chair for Fifty-Six Minutes and Then Leaves. It’s once a year and I’m so excited.
The Emu War: A New Musical is running at Pleasance Courtyard's Pleasance Two through August 25. Get tickets here.
