In this episode of #SNAPCHATZ, we’re unveiling layers of life’s complexities with Patrick Susmilch, Victor Esses, and Ezra England as they unravel topics of mortality, identity, and mental health in their respective shows ‘Texts from My Dead Friends’, ‘The Death & Life of All of Us’, and ‘Nuclear Children’ at #EdFringe 2023.
#SNAPCHATZ is simple. I challenge all 2023 Fringe performers & creators to answer 3 questions and to sell you, dear reader, their show. Their answers are tossed into a digital hat, and published in quick-read trios. It’s a Fringe goer’s fastest and safest (no guerilla flyering!) way to find someone, or something, new.
If you like what you read, you’re intrigued, you bark a laugh or shed a tear, or you suspect some risk of lasting trauma, then click those links and buy a ticket, or 10!
Patrick Susmilch: Texts from My Dead Friends
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The Death & Life of All of Us
Who are you/what is your show?
I am a queer theatre maker and performance artist who grew up in a Jewish community in São Paulo, Brazil, and moved to the UK in 2000. My parents were born in Lebanon which makes us Sephardi Jews (originating from the Middle East and historically Spain and Portugal). My work explores migration, belonging and intimacy. This year I’ll be performing The Death & Life of All of Us at Summerhall, a funny and moving multimedia biographical show looking at family secrets, shame and embracing our differences.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
My show speaks of big subjects – death, life, community, queer identity – in a very intimate, open, welcoming space. It really touches people’s hearts in the most unexpected ways and makes a unique story set between Beirut, Rome and São Paulo feel very familiar. Trust me
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
All kinds of people: from Saxons, Mediterraneans, Latinxs – everyone is welcome to unite in this special live moment where we nurture our similarities. More specifically: Jews from all kinds of backgrounds – to learn about different intersectionalities – specifically Sephardi Jews and migrants – to feel seen. Also anyone who feels that secrets have impacted their lives in a negative way. It would be great to have national and international arts festival directors there too, charities that focus on migration, Italians, Brazilians, Lebanese people, queer people. And artists I admire, whom I can’t name or the list will be massive… mostly though would be the people you least expect to connect with this kind of work, that’s where the power lies, where conversations can open up different worlds and lived experiences.
Nuclear Children
Who are you/what is your show?
Hi, I’m Ezra England, I’m a writer/actor from Bristol. Our show is called Nuclear Children, and it’s a one-person dark comedy exploring mental health through magical realism.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
It’s an ode to darker periods of mental well-being with a comedic twist; it’s point of view means you’re strapped in with Isla as she navigates and underlays her struggle with grief in cutting and funny ways- it’s not a show bogged down by sadness but an exploration of the knowingly ironic ways we undercut mental pain through comedy to survive.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
Dream audience would be anyone up for a laugh! I’m a huge Miriam Margolyes fan, and would very much love it if she saw it one day- other heroes are Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding & Phoebe Waller Bridge. But honestly, full house or not, anyone with an open mind and anyone who is inquisitive to material about mental health is the dream.
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