We sat down for an exclusive interview with Rowan Armitt-Brewster, writer, director, producer and performer for A Brief Case of Crazy which comes to Riverside Studios from 8th – 20th April.
A Brief Case of Crazy has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ at the Edinburgh Fringe. What inspired you to create a show centred around an awkward introvert’s quest for love?
Your typical love story will follow a beautiful couple, both with heroic qualities. So what would happen if two introverted, awkward, one-of-a-kind (or two-of-a kind if you like) and innocent individuals take the spotlight? I wrote A Brief Case of Crazy to represent those who feel a lack of belonging in society, due to their “different” or “awkward” qualities, and I wanted to create a piece of theatre that celebrates the uniqueness of these people, not only representing them, but placing them centre stage.
How did you go about modernising the classic physical comedy style for
today’s audiences?
We introduce the classic physical comedy style to a modern audience by presenting
stories focused on current and contemporary issues in an amusing and heartfelt way.
However, the work we create at Skedaddle is heavily inspired by the classics that we all
know and love. These inspirations include Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean, Charlie Chaplin
and Buster Keaton. We are inspired by these iconic performers because they perform in
a style which is completely timeless. Physical comedy is and always will be entertaining
and fulfilling for an audience due to its universal appreciation. Accommodating a
universal audience is something we strive for, aiming to create accessible stories that a
completely diverse audience can enjoy in unison. Our main tactic for this is creating work which prioritises physicality before text.
As a writer, director, producer, and performer, you wear many hats in this production. Which role do you find most challenging, and which is the most rewarding?
Due to my creative background as a performer – performing, writing and directing is something I feel great comfort in. Whereas my producing hat doesn’t fit quite as well. I enjoy producing and taking ownership of my own work, however this is the first production I have ever called my own, and I don’t possess training or past knowledge in how to produce a show, though luckily my work ethic has led me to figure out the formula. We are also fortunate that Shoddy Theatre have come on board A Brief Case of Crazy as associate producers, providing us with expert guidance and mentorship. The most rewarding role is undoubtedly performing, as there really is nothing like live performance. I find there is nothing more present than the responsibility a performer has on stage. You are responsible for improving someone’s mood after a bad day at work, for diverting people from stress and to make people question how they can improve their behaviours towards others. I find nothing more rewarding than making people laugh and experience immeasurable joy. I truly love my job.
Physical comedy relies heavily on movement, timing, and visual
storytelling. Can you share a particularly tricky scene from the show that
required a lot of creative problem-solving?
If you were at work and a flustered fly flew into your trousers, a seagull stormed through the window and your boss was walking down the corridor, making his way to your office, what would you do? There are many crazy scenarios that play out in the show, and it’s one thing to think these instances up, but it is another to translate the idea into a physical space, and to present the message clearly and excellently. This is our thought process towards our work. We spend countless hours perfecting movement, choreography, puppetry and object manipulation to transform our audience from their world into ours.
A Brief Case of Crazy celebrates those who feel “different” or “awkward” in society. Why do you think it’s important to shine a light on these kinds of characters, especially in comedy?
I think it’s important to showcase these kinds of characters because they are drastically unrepresented. Many of these individuals struggle to speak up for themselves, let alone have others do it for them. Often the people who say the least have the most interesting stories to tell. Our show is a prime example of this.
After a successful Edinburgh Fringe run and a feature at the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Comedy Showcase, what’s next for Skedaddle Theatre and this production? Any hopes for a bigger tour or screen adaptation?
We are an enormously ambitious company, working tirelessly to bring these ambitions to life. We are working through the necessary steps to put together a tour, and with the help of some very experienced individuals who have come on board the project, this will hopefully be on our horizon. My long-term plan is to create a screen adaptation for A Brief Case of Crazy, as I realise the piece’s potential if it were to appear on digital platforms. Although this will take time, I am confident this will happen at some point in the future.
A Brief Case of Crazy is playing at Riverside Studios from the 8th – 20th April 2025.
Visit riverside studios.co.uk for tickets