Saltire Sky Theatre return to Edinburgh with Bits ‘n’ Pieces, which was originally staged last year.
It’s an assault on the senses, with temptation, terror, tunes, and trauma from every angle.’
Co-directors Sands Stirling and Nathan Scott-Dunn tell us more about the show.
Where: Wee Red Bar
When: 2-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-25 Aug
Ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bits-n-pieces
What are you looking forward to at Edinburgh Fringe?
We are really looking forward to the incredible diversity of performances and the vibrant atmosphere that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival always brings.
It’s an unparalleled opportunity to see a wide range of innovative and boundary-pushing shows, meet other creatives, and engage with an audience that is as passionate about the arts as we are but also a chance to attract audiences that wouldn’t necessarily engage in the arts.
The Fringe is a melting pot of talent, and we’re excited to be both a contributor and a spectator to this year’s programme, we are particularly excited about the array of Scottish, grassroot productions on show this August.
As well as being part of that, we are buzzing to get our feet on the ground and support these companies who champion what the fringe is all about.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces is billed as ‘an immersive, dark comedy” about Scotland’s Drug Death Crisis. Tell me more about the show.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces delves into the pressing and tragic issue of Scotland’s drug death crisis through a unique blend of dark comedy and immersive theatre.
Our work within the community with NHS Lothian, Thrive Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership has highlighted the desperate need for System Change and we feel we have a real opportunity with this show to keep the conversation flowing.
The show is designed to provoke thought, discussion, and conversation.
We created the story from real, lived experience working closely with our partner charity Crew 2000 to accurately represent our country’s relationship with drugs, using theatre as a way to approach a deeply serious and often stigmatised subject.
Through a combination of engaging storytelling, dynamic performances, and an interactive set, we aim to shed light on the unsung, human stories behind the statistics, exploring themes of addiction, loss, and resilience.
In previous years, Nathan Scott-Dunn was writer, director and performer on this show. Quite a feat! Did that work well, and has your working practice changed at all for 2024?
In the show’s debut year, having Nathan take on multiple roles was both challenging and rewarding,
Co-directing alongside Sands Stirling (the pair first worked together on the Off West End Award winning 1902) certainly eased some pressure and allowed for a very cohesive vision and a deeply personal touch to the production.
However, it also highlighted the intense workload that such a multifaceted role entails.
For 2024, we have two productions on at the festival [MANikin is on 7-22 Aug at Leith Arches] and we’ve adjusted our working practices to allow for the development, growth and progression of our productions.
Introducing new cast members allows a more hands-on approach to the direction but also brings fresh perspectives and talents to the production, enhancing the overall quality and experience of the show
Why was it important to bring the play back to Fringe, and have you redeveloped it in any way?
Bringing Bits ‘n’ Pieces back to the Fringe was crucial because the issues it addresses remain urgent and relevant.
We received such a powerful response in previous years that it felt necessary to continue the conversation and reach even more people.
For this year’s run, we’ve redeveloped certain aspects of the show based on audience feedback, our own reflections and a dramaturgical reworking under the guidance of acclaimed theatre director Scott Le Crass.
We’ve fine-tuned the script, incorporated new elements into the immersive experience, and deepened the narrative to provide an even more impactful performance.
What’s next after Fringe?
After Fringe, we’re planning to take Bits ‘n’ Pieces and our new show MANikin on a tour across Scotland and potentially other parts of the UK.
We believe the themes and messages of the show resonate widely, and we want to engage with communities directly affected by the issues we explore in the show.
Beyond the tour, we are also exploring opportunities to adapt the show for different formats, such as film or digital media, to reach a broader audience.
Additionally, we are excited to start working on new projects that continue to push boundaries and tackle important social issues through a theatrical lens.
The arts have such an important part to play in achieving change as it allows us to really hone in on the human element of these issues that are so often overlooked or ignored.