What do you get when you mix a Baptist, a bro in 'cuffs, a botched funeral and a bottle of vodka? Reconciling.
Hearts opened and words spoken become recurring refrains through a collective unconscious, where one word can have multiple meanings in this dark comedy. And vodka – that always makes things interesting.
Tell us about your show
What do a Baptist, a bro in handcuffs and a botched funeral have in common? Not enough, and more than you think. Reconciling explores how three couples’ unique problems complement and crash into each other. Hearts opened and words spoken become recurring refrains through a collective unconscious, where one word can have multiple meanings in this dark comedy. And vodka – that always makes things interesting. Join The Barrington Collective, a company of recent East 15 MFA graduates, as we bring this fractal tree of a play to life.
Why did you decide to take your show to Space UK this year?
Several of our company members attended an Ed Fringe London roadshow this past autumn and were markedly impressed by the team from theSpace UK. They were among the most professional and prepared venues there and also showed an active interest in our company and the vision we had for Fringe.
Why Edinburgh? What’s the attraction?
As London-based Americans, we knew getting to Fringe would never come under easier circumstances. We hope that establishing ourselves with an inaugural Fringe run now will make the path back to Edinburgh more accessible in the future. Also, what better way to celebrate your MFAs than by being a part of the biggest arts festival in the world?
What makes your show unique amongst the thousands of others at the festival?
Reconciling features three independent story lines that play out simultaneously. Through the constant connections and crossovers among each plot, an audience member could see our show several nights in a row and take away new discoveries each time. Reconciling also tackles three universal issues (family, sex, and religion) framed through a 20-something’s perspective.
Can you tell us a bit about your company’s background?
The six of us hail from all across America and met in 2013 for East 15’s MFA in Acting course, which emphasizes collaborative company work. During the past two years we’ve studied, worked, lived and performed together throughout London with the rest of our cohort. Having grown so much both as artists and people, we wanted to continue the creative process with each other past graduation this July. The Barrington Collective was born from that desire.
If your show does well in Edinburgh, what do you want to do with it next?
Our best-case scenario involves just being able to continue performing it! We’d love to take Reconciling to America, as well as other festivals throughout Europe. We also view this show as a first chapter for the Barrington Collective. We hope to see it establish our company’s potential and open doors for future opportunities.
Show Name: Reconciling
Production Company: The Barrington Collective
Venue: Space One at theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39)
Dates: Monday-Thursday & Saturday (Aug 8, 10-13, 15, 17-20, 22, 24-27, 29)
Times: 18:20 – 19:10
Twitter Handle: @BarringtonCoUK
