Interview - Arthur Hull

So, you are over halfway through the Fringe. How are you surviving the festival?

The fringe is a marathon, not a sprint. I’ve been very disciplined and careful so I can keep myself ready for every show. One big night out is not worth ruining or cancelling a show. Ever. 

Why did you want to bring your show to the Edinburgh Fringe?

It’s been a life long dream to come to the Fringe. My Mum and Dad met here on the Fringe, and they had me here. Which is why my name is Arthur, they could see the seat from their apartment. So this Fringe and this city is in my blood. 

Wow! So were you aware of the Fringe from a young age?

I’ve known about Edinburgh forever. All of my friends, my family, my life is centered around this community. It’s never not been a part of my life. 

What did you expect and how has the reality compared?

Having heard so much about it over my life, I’ve had a lot of stories and legends told to me over and over. It’s everything I could of imagined and more. A stunningly beautiful city and a ridiculously exciting festival. That I never want to end. 

Firstly, we absolutely loved your show, which hopefully you knew from our review (Ed - you can read that here). You clearly love musicals. What is the song you first remember singing?

The first songs I was introduced to were old jazz standards, Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Bennett. My Dad was very into that era of music, so naturally I leaned towards that kind of music. But the first songs I ever learned on the piano and started to sing was ‘New York State of Mind’ by Billy Joel. Which has become possibly my favourite song ever. 

What is your favourite and your least favourite musical?

As I say in my show, my favourite musical of all time is The Producers. Hilarious, clever, amazing music. What more can you ask for. 

My least favourite is tougher to pick, because I think every musical has elements that can be loved. That being said the movie version of Cats, no matter how good the stage show is, is so abhorrently terrible and offensive to the ears, eyes and anyone who enjoys musical theatre. I could speak for hours on the problems with that movie. 

Where did you get the idea for "Flop" from?

‘FLOP’ is a love letter to musicals. I've spent my life watching these ‘Hits of Broadway’ type shows… where a performer comes out with a waistcoat and accompanist and sings all of the same songs that everyone has heard before. ‘Phantom’, ‘Les Mis’ and ‘Cats’.

Being a musical theatre lover and nerd for my whole life, I thought, “What about all of the incredible shows that never quite had, financial, critical or commercial success”. 

While looking into these ‘Flop’s’, I just kept finding more and more amazing examples of incredible songs that have never seen the light of day just because the musical ‘failed’.

So this show is me exploring why and how these musicals failed, each with their own tumultuous story all while bringing these incredible songs to a new audience.

Who wrote your opening number?

I wrote my opening number, music, lyrics and I created the track with nothing but my two keyboard and the free version of garage band. 

Out of all the "flops" you featured which one would you most like to have seen? (Weirdly, we have seen and enjoyed a revival of " Carrie: The Musical).

I would have absolutely loved to have seen Tammy Faye in the West End with Andrew Rannells. It was said to be incredible. Only after the transfer to Broadway did that show fail. 

How big was the list of songs that you could have chosen?

Honestly too long to remember. I have had hundreds of songs on the cards for this show. I could make an entirely new show with the off cuts from ‘FLOP’.  (Ed - we look forward to seeing 'FLOP 2 - Here we go again' next year!)

Your show is full on. What are doing to ensure your voice survives the run?

The most important thing is sleep. Number one. But all the classics, steaming, lemon, honey, tea, ginger and a whole lot of water. 

You start at 20.45pm. How do you pace your day?

My day usually starts around 11 am. I’ll get up go for a walk and get a light breakfast. Go and do whatever admin I have to do for that day. Have a larger lunch around 3-4 which is my main meal for the day. Do some vocal TLC, steaming, tea, etc. then I’ll flyer for an hour or two. 

By that time it’s around 7 and I have to set up for my show. Do the turn around. Perform my little butt off and go and speak to the audience after the show. Might have one drink with whichever friend or VIP was in that night. Chat about the show, and then head home. Have a little snack before bed. Do any more admin before drifting off to sleep.

Does it take you long to come down afterwards?

I’m usually out of my venue around 1030, I won’t get to sleep until around 3 AM. Adreneline and exhaustion are funny things to balence sometimes. But I’ve gotten pretty good at it by this point. 

What is the most " Showbiz" thing you have done?

Walking to the patter house at 11PM with a massive keyboard just to go and absolutely bomb Late and Live. Is it really an Edinburgh Fringe if you don’t bomb and Gilded's notoriously difficult line up show?

You reference "Tim Minchin's" trip to the Scottish capital. Amazingly DarkChat's Carl & Kate saw that show in 2008 (winning the DARKCHAT award for Best Music). Have you seen him live , or met him?

I was lucky enough to see him perform in Melbourne in 2022. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. I am yet to meet Tim. But I’ve been put in contact with him through this show and am sure at some point I will get to meet him. Which will be a truly surreal moment. 

So, finally what have you enjoyed the most & least about the festival so far?

The best thing is getting to perform infront of so many amazing audiences every single night. It has been a dream come true. I love hearing everyone raving and being so appreciative after the show. 

The worst thing is the exchange rate! 

Thanks to Arthur for taking time out to answer our questions and good luck for the rest of the run, he is performing at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower until 24th August - details here