Great British Mysteries interview
At the 2018 Fringe, Great British Mysteries return for their second year - this time performing the silly historical caper Great British Mysteries: 1599?.
Are we going to be partying like it's 1599? Prince or no Prince?
Whilst Prince doesn't make an appearance on the show soundtrack, we do use a lot of 1990s subculture in our references and music choices. It sort of exists in a weird version of 1590s London in which references to Blur and All Saints are perfectly at home. It's a very frenetic hour so I think most audiences will get swept up in the energy of it. I mean, we have a Donna Summer dance break so I don't know what more incentive you could need.
What's life like on the beat?
A typical day for Olive & Teddy in 1599: wake up late, spot of bear baiting, three bird spit roast for lunch; then maybe a stroll across to the Tower of London menagerie to take a look at the prize attraction, the enormous male lion named Pussy Magnet. Quaffing mead before bedtime. Rinse and repeat.
16th century England: everything went south when they brought in health and safety in theatres. Agree or disagree?
Health and safety regulations, safe sex, reduced blood sports; the world's gone mad. In 1599 people valued good old fashioned values like dying young and syphilis. We're keeping the dream alive.
You have an appreciation for old school Elizabethan rap. Who are your favourite artists on your Spotify playlist?
When writing for the show we tried to mix it up - some Debbie Wiseman and the Wolf Hall soundtrack and some Sugababes. And the Greensleeves drum and bass remix is really worth a listen; it's the fresh incentive that track's been needing for a long time.
Do we need crib notes for the history bits?
Nah. We think if you know who Henry VIII is and you know a sprinkling about his libido then you probably know enough. We throw in references to various Tudor celebs but it's not a prerequisite of the show to know who any of them are. It's a silly enough hour that we hope anyone can enjoy it. But if anyone does want to arrive in a ruff we would be very impressed...just saying...
Great British Mysteries: 1599? was performed at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
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