list.co.uk/festival Trygve Wakenshaw | FESTIVAL FEATURES
DAYCARE
different. Especially when you get nominated and people are there to judge you, sitting with their arms folded and probably thinking, “ok then, show me your good funny things that you do”.’ With Trygve vs a Baby taking to the stage in a 3pm slot (‘Phineas should have i nished his second nap of the day between 1 and 2ish, so he’s usually quite perky by 3’), papa Wakenshaw will be fully regenerated for his second gig later that day, an 8.30pm meeting with Barnie Duncan (his theatrical partner of almost 15 years) for Different Party.
That show is a satire of ofi ce life, despite neither of them having spent a huge amount of time in such buildings. ‘It was us going, “what do you even do in an ofi ce?’” muses Wakenshaw. ‘Barnie’s girlfriend works in one and she gave us great tips about the things people say there such as “we’ll need that by C.O.B.” and “who’s taking minutes?” A lot of coffee gets drunk in our show. It’s mainly physical but there will be some witty wordplay; there are some jokes that rely on words, but not a lot.’
By that point in the day, young Phineas should be fast asleep as he gets refreshed for another bash at winning over an expectant Edinburgh crowd. Happily, his mum was open to a notion that others might have brushed off as rather foolhardy. ‘She didn’t take much convincing; she thought it was a brilliant idea,’ insists Trygve. ‘You know that old saying about never working with children and animals because they’re so attractive to the eye that you as an actor would be absolutely upstaged? I took it as a challenge: I’m a pretty good performer, and I am fairly convinced that I am more interesting than a baby.’ Time will tell, Trygve.
Trygve vs a Baby, Assembly Roxy, 5–27 Aug (not 14, 21), 3pm, £11–£12.50 (£10– £11.50). Previews 3 & 4 Aug, £8. Trygve Wakenshaw & Barnie Duncan: Different Party, Assembly Roxy, 4–27 Aug (not 14), 8.30pm, £10.50–£12 (£9.50–£11). Previews 2 & 3 Aug, £7.
‘With this, I’m essentially having to wing it’
3–10 Aug 2017 THE LIST FESTIVAL 21