After an amazing response last year we have once again resurrected our Brighton Bites mini-interviews. These short and snappy Q&As offer an, occasionally witty – often hilarious, insight into the acts strutting, sailing, surfing (insert preferred form of transport here) in to join the line-up of England’s largest arts festival, Brighton Fringe. 2018 was a record-breaking year for the Fringe with over 575,000 people attending the festival; and with 2019 promising to be more inclusive than ever, our Bites aim to give you a taste of what’s in store across the 4,500+ events and performances that are on offer.
Next up, John Callaghan tells us about their show John Callaghan’s Cabaret Electro which they’ll be performing at Spiegeltent: Bosco.
Describe your show in one sentence?
I’ve been described as “John Shuttleworth meets Aphex Twin” – interesting and sincere electronic music with arty costumes and videos.
Why Brighton Fringe?
Fringe festivals are a great way to share ideas – and in Brighton, there’s sun and sea too!
How did the show get to where it is today?
I didn’t want to be just standing behind a keyboard or a laptop live; I wanted to illustrate the songs more dynamically! Twenty-five years of solo shows in pubs, clubs, streets and art galleries later and I’m wearing an illuminated inflatable suit or tying myself to a giant eyeball or something.
What do you think sets your show apart from all the other festival offerings?
The concentration of ideas, perhaps. The songs themselves have been described as both pensive and witty and there’ll be a video of me on the moon or summat while I’m wearing something eye-catching too. So at all times, the show is funny, melancholy, whimsical, exciting…
What show do you not want to miss at this year’s Brighton Fringe (apart from your own!)?
Totally Wired, presented by Hypnotique – a light-hearted look at the history of electronic instruments.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given, or would give, for performing at a fringe festival?
My advice would be to perform with gusto and full confidence and not to apologise! The audience don’t know what doesn’t happen; they only experience what does happen.
Other good advice: if it’s going badly – get off! If it’s going well – get off!
With the theme of this year’s festival being ‘DARE to Discover’, we’d like you to tell us a TRUTH – something about you or the show that fans may not know.
My day job is as a nude model.
John Callaghan’s Cabaret Electro runs at Brighton Fringe on 28 May 2019. Brighton Fringe continues until 2 June 2019; www.brightonfringe.org
Nicole Craft | Image: Jonathan Dadds
