AS PART of Deadline at the Fest, we are interviewing performers from across the month by putting 20 questions to them – both as an artist and as their stage or performance alter ego.
Marco Quaglia plays the baddy, Echo, who drops the bomb on a million civilians in this year’s offering from Dystopia Theatre and Infallible Productions Ltd.
The Italian actor, born in Rome and educated in England and later in Italian high school, plays opposite Stefano Patti, the good guy, who turns out to be his brother.
The piece, written by Lorenzo De Liberato, is set in a ‘black mirror-esque future’ and sees Echo being interviewed by the other man, who is also a journalist. He has one simple question. Why?
It is described as a ‘taut two-hander that will generate long discussions and food for thought.’
First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
Love love love it! The Edinburgh Fringe is a MUST for every artist.
Does your visit bring on joy or dread?
Joy and a pinch of dread , always a necessary ingredient.
Are you a happy soul or do the occasionally dreich elements make you morose?Yes and yes.
Where will you visit on your day off and why?
Day off? What is a day off?
Do you ever get jealous of other performers? Can you name one or two?
Yes, I would love to be anyone in The Nature of Forgetting, love them all.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes.
What does failure mean to you? Does it make you shrink or grow?
It is necessary…so grow I suppose.
Are you superstitious when it comes to performing?
Absolutely yes.
What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
Going on stage.
What is your favourite saying?
The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.
What is your worst habit?
Laziness.
What do you love/hate about the festival?
We’re all in the same boat/flyering.
Tell me about your most passionate embrace.
I’m Italian, too many passionate embraces.
Do you wear knickers under your kilt?
Of course not.
Most embarrassing moment?
Today’s?
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
New York, because it gets me.
Who would you be if you were not you?
My cat, Mr Bojangles.
What Scottish delicacies do you intend to sample and, do any of them fill you with fear?
Haggis scares the sh*t out of me.
What is your greatest ambition?
Be on stage till I’m 103.
How can we bring world peace?
Defeating all fascists would be a start.
Answered by ECHO (as portrayed by Marco Quaglia)
First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
If I get another flyer I’ll bomb your fair city…
Does your visit bring on joy or dread?
Dread… for all of you.
Are you a happy soul or do the occasionally dreich elements make you morose?
Dreich is my second name.
Where will you visit on your day off and why?
It’s your day… off.
Do you ever get jealous of other performers? Can you name one or two?
I’m sometimes jealous of the Bond villain Ersnt Stavro Blofeld.
Did you have a happy childhood?
No.
What does failure mean to you? Does it make you shrink or grow?
It makes me angry, very angry.
Are you superstitious when it comes to performing?
No, I am God.
What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
That my suit is not ironed to perfection.
What is your favourite saying?
Mors tua vita mea.
What is your worst habit?
Excuse me?
What do you love/hate about the festival?
I love that there are so many people to hate.
Tell me about your most passionate embrace.
Well with my brother of course.
Do you wear knickers under your kilt?
I wouldn’t be caught dead in a kilt.
Most embarrassing moment?
My finger slipped on the red button to the nukes.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
My bunker. No people.
Who would you be if you were not you?
My mind can’t process the question.
What Scottish delicacies do you intend to sample and, do any of them fill you with fear?
I’m sure I’m part Scottish and fear nothing.
What is your greatest ambition?
Build a new world order.
How can we bring world peace?
Destroy everything. I’ll explain when we talk.
