12/07/2019
Andres Velasquez talking about BIRTH, his first time performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and how making this show has changed him...
1) In one sentence, tell us (the world) about BIRTH.
Birth is a diving experience into the subconscious of every family’s journey.
2) What can you tell us about your character(s) and what was/is your biggest challenge to bring that character to life?
I play Sam Fernandez, Emily’s husband. In the making of Birth we researched about our families, but also looked at other families and at very difficult situations like stillbirths and miscarriage. It didn’t really hit me till very recently that my own parents had experienced both things and we’d barely talked about it. It was a good excuse to start the conversation and understand my folks better, getting to know myself better too. The biggest challenge was to try channel that difficult thing I’d never experienced. But in the process of going deeper I managed to get closer to my family even though they live in a different continent.
3) What makes going up to the Edinburgh Fringe with Theatre Re an exciting venture?
Theatre Re is a family. I’ve been lucky enough to be close to Guillaume and the company for many years and I couldn’t have wished for any other group of people to share my first Edinburgh run as a performer!
4) - If you had to compare BIRTH to a sport, which one would it be and why?
Something that involves team work, connection, and a fairly strong challenge for the heart(and the legs) in many ways. There is also a really tough hike that finishes with a well deserved view at the end. Also the opposing team is sometimes invisible and unexpected. Yes, that sport.
5) - Why performing at the Edinburgh Fringe is different from performing anywhere else? And if you have never been, what do you imagine?
I’ve worked at the Ed Fringe many times doing different jobs behind the scenes, but this will be the first time I’ll be on stage during the Fringe. I imagine its a fun experience as much as it is an endurance challenge. It will be the first time I’d be experiencing performing a show for such a long run, which I’m particularly looking forward to as I do believe its the perfect chance for a piece to get developed even deeper, and for me as a performer to play and evolve.
6) - What show, other than BIRTH, do you not want to miss?
I’m really looking forward to see Dressed by ThisEgg, I’ve managed to miss it in London a few times, but won’t let it happen this time!
Tickets: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/birth
Photo by Richard Davenport
