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Teen cast saves Fringe musical after creator’s sudden death: “We had to finish what he started”

29 Jul 2025

Fringe veteran Paul Andrew Perez had written just three songs for a new teenage pop-rock musical for the Edinburgh Fringe when he died suddenly in April.

Without Paul it felt that there could be no show. But we realised we had to finish what he’d started.

The director and theatre department head from Florida, along with his Infinity Repertory Theatre Company, had been working with 15 to 17-year-old students from St John’s Country Day School, Jacksonville, on The Idiot’s Guide To Breaking Your Own Heart. Flights, accommodation and the Greenside, Riddles Court venue had already been paid for – but there was only the bare beginning of a show. It looked as if the project would have to be cancelled.

But after the initial shock had subsided, the students and teacher Todd Twining realised how much Paul would have wanted the show to go on – and it will.

Todd said: “Paul’s death was such a shock. He was so liked and admired by the students. Without Paul it felt that there could be no show. But we realised we had to finish what he’d started. Paul adored the Fringe and loved giving young people the unique experience of performing there and being part of the world’s greatest performing arts festival. The students, their parents and everyone else have worked flat out to get the show finished and audience-ready. And the support we’ve had from people in Edinburgh, especially our venue, has been amazing.”

Darren Neale, Greenside Venues' director, said: “Getting The Idiot’s Guide to Breaking Your Own Heart on stage this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the face of heartbreak and uncertainty, these young performers and their creative team have shown remarkable resilience and dedication. Paul Perez was a passionate advocate for the transformative power of theatre, and this production is a beautiful tribute to his legacy. We’re honoured to host a show that so clearly embodies the spirit of the Fringe.”

The result is true to Paul’s spirit. It follows the story of Simon Walker, whose school assignment is to write a manual on How to Be You, to demonstrate whether you are a product of nature or nurture. The final part of the project is to answer two questions:

What do you contribute to society?

Does your life have meaning?

Todd said: “Paul was an endlessly enthusiastic champion of young people and the ability of the performing arts to express dreams and fears and to change lives and society for the better. This musical is all about the issues and pressures confronting young people: the need to fit in, look perfect, get straight As, go to the right parties, fulfil their parents’ dreams – in short, to ‘live their best lives’ every minute of the day, while feeling they need to know where their life is headed when they are still growing, developing and getting to know who they are.”

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