Fringe 2025 – show goes on for US teenagers despite the death of their writer
The director and theatre department head, based in Florida, was working with 15 to 17-year-old students from St John's Country Day School, Jacksonville, on a production called An Idiot's Guide To Breaking Your Own Heart.
Just a couple of songs were complete and workshopping on the script had still to begin, however, flights, accommodation and a venue had been booked.
And more important than that – if there was one thing Paul would have wanted it would have been for the show to go on … and it will.
Todd Twining, fellow theatre teacher at St John's and show musical director, said: 'Paul's death was such a shock. He was so liked and admired by the students. We thought we'd just have to cancel – without Paul it felt like there could be no show.
'But we realised that we just had to finish what he'd started. Paul adored the Fringe and loved giving generations of young people the unique experience of performing there and being part of the world's greatest performing arts festival.
'Since then the students, their parents and everyone else have worked flat out to get the show finished, to rehearse, to prepare and make sure we can go on stage. And the support we've had from people in Edinburgh, especially our venue, has been just amazing.'
The result is true to Paul's spirit – a production which allows young people to explore and express the pressures they face. These include the need to fit in, look perfect, get straight As, go to the right parties, fulfill their parents' dreams – to 'live their best lives' every minute of the day.
It follows the story of Simon Walker who has a school assignment 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?
Together with his friends, Quentin Bean and Sandy Dachowski, Simon relives the high and low points of his life.
Paul Perez
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 confronting young people every day of their lives.
'The pressure they feel is insane – the absurd idea that they need to know where their life is headed when they are still growing, developing and getting to know who they are.
'Their fear of failure causes paralysis and deprives them of the ability to explore life. But failure is not an end, rather it is a beginning, that is something the arts teach us.'
The show, presented as a collaboration between the school and Paul's Infinity Repertory Theatre Company, will run from 1-6 August.
In 2018 The Edinburgh Reporter said the company had 'a reputation for presenting quality new work by talented young people. Three Weeks in Edinburgh praised its musical Geek for toe-tapping bluegrass-style tunes and the exceptional young cast'.
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.'
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Jewish comedian barred from Fringe venue for attending Oct 7 vigil
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The Guardian
7 hours ago
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‘I spent a month sleeping in a cupboard': comedians on the true cost of the Fringe
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Daily Mail
9 hours ago
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I've been on The 1% Club, Tipping Point and The Chase - here's my stern warning for anyone who makes it onto TV, plus there's an awful truth about how we get cast
A former winner of The Chase has issued a stern warning to others who make it onto television - informed by his experience on some of the UK's most popular game shows. Having also featured on The 1% Club and Tipping Point, Steven Sneade has become something of a veteran contestant. His most triumphant win came when he beat chaser Paul Sinha, aka The Sinnerman, and took home an impressive £17,000. But the 69-year-old hasn't always had such good luck. 'I was knocked out of The 1% Club on the first question,' he admitted. 'Then I just had to sit there for hours while the rest of the show was filmed.' Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Liverpool-based Steven revealed just how gruelling the interview process can be, as well as the tricky task of being 'entertaining' for the camera. 'It's a difficult one, because you've got to stand out from the crowd,' he said. 'But if that's not what you're like normally, you're not going to come across very well.' Steven warned against pretending to be someone else, arguing that both viewers and producers can smell inauthenticity. 'Trying to fake a big personality will not help,' he continued. 'If you're a naturally quieter person, trying to be an extrovert isn't going to work. It's going to come across as false.' But Steven stressed there is a balance to be found, because producers will inevitably be drawn to the most interesting contestants. 'You've got to remember that it is, first and foremost, an entertainment show,' he said. 'For ITV, it's to get as many viewers as they can. Try and see it from their point of view – what do they want? They want someone who is going to be a bit lively and a bit different.' As far as talking about yourself, Steven advised would-be contestants to sell themselves and pick out the juiciest nuggets. 'You've got to play for your strengths. If your hobby is that you play the piano, don't just say you play the piano at home - try and make it something excellent. If you once played at the Royal Albert Hall, say that.' And while Steven thinks honesty is a virtue, he nonetheless suggested embellishing the truth slightly. 'You don't always have to stick 100 per cent to the truth. They don't check up on it,' he admitted. 'It's awful, and I don't like lying, but there is something about television, it's all a bit false. Exaggerate the truth. Emphasise the positives.' The well-versed player urged applicants not to take themselves too seriously - and to prepare for the barrage of negative comments they will get. With avid game show fans picking apart their favourite episodes on social media in real time, participants have to enter with a thick skin. Steven said: 'One of the things they've emphasised on all the shows I've been on is that, sadly, you will get slated on social media when the episode is shown. You've got to be prepared to laugh at yourself.' Of his own experience applying for The Chase, Steven explained how he had to complete an online application, a phone interview and 20-question general knowledge test. What followed next was an in-person group audition with other prospective candidates held at a Liverpool hotel. 'We played a few little games, then a mock-up of The Chase. We had to do a minute piece on camera and another 20-question test.' The stakes were high, though, and only two out of ten hopeful applicants were shortlisted for the final cut. And it was a long two years before Steven even got a call back, although he had nearly been dropped owing to his previous appearance on Tipping Point. 'They don't want people being on those two programmes so close together. Apparently they get a lot of backlash for having the same people on different shows.' Steven has previously revealed why ITV bosses warn the players to not share any of their prize money with the eliminated players. Steven said: 'If you win you have to sign another contract as you're accepting money from them. 'They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn't win money just because you feel sorry for them.
