Billy Morton is the founder of production company Four Presidents, a writer and actor (mainly Shakespeare). He also improvises with The Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes and The Oxford Imps. Now he brings the show Every Ghost Story Ever to the Edinburgh Fringe.
“Join connoisseur of the creepy Billy Bones for a whistle-stop tour of every ghost story ever told, or your money back!* *no refunds. Experience ghost stories from throughout the ages: from the first ghost story ever written, to the true tale of Arthur Conan Doyle speaking from beyond the grave, to terrifying accounts of the hauntings of Edinburgh’s own Greyfriars Kirkyard, and much more. Why do we tell ghost stories? What makes us truly afraid? Is this show supposed to be serious or funny? All these questions will be answered in: Every Ghost Story Ever.”
Where: Wee Container 1 at Hoots @ Potterrow
When: 7-31 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/every-ghost-story-ever
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
The show is called Every Ghost Story Ever, and it’s about… Well… Every ghost story ever. It’s a whistle-stop tour through the ghost stories from history, literature, and down the pub. It’s part pastiche, part homage, and part piss-take, all told by a sensationally spooky character by the name of Billy Bones.
The idea came from watching classic ghost-story-telling shows, and wanting to take it in a bit more of a fun direction. Cue the jokes, but there is a genuinely deep appreciation of the humble ghost story woven throughout.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
Do you like ghost stories? Do you like laughing? If yes to either, come to this show!
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
I always say that the Edinburgh Fringe is my favourite place on earth. There’s something about the feeling that you can be entertained at every hour of the day which just makes you feel like a medieval monarch; even if you end up in more debt than Edward III. Any Ed-heads in?
I love performing there too: I have been up for the last few years with improv groups (The Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes and The Oxford Imps) and the comradery that you build and fun you have with your group of mates over the crazy weeks is just fantastic to be a part of. Long live the Fringe!
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
I am looking forward to performing on my own for the first time; as I say, I’ve been up with improv groups before, but a solo written show is a different kettle of fish. Although I won’t be completely alone: I’ll be joined by my loyal techs-cum-flyerers-cum-family-members (shout-out Beth and Felix).
I also have a list of shows I’m dying to see as long as my arm, so I’ll be ticking as many off as I can while I’m there. And of course I can’t wait for my Mosque Kitchen fix!
What’s next for the show?
The broader future is a little uncertain for this show, but I will be performing it as part of GrimFest in London this October, and probably back home in Oxford towards the end of the year. But I’ll certainly be back at the Fringe again with another show soon.