21Common Brings Wild West Drama to Edinburgh Fringe with "Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir"
As the Edinburgh Fringe Festival returns, 21Common, the trailblazing arts collective, is set to captivate audiences with their latest dance spectacular, Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir. Known for their fearless blending of pop culture, iconoclastic references, and high-stakes performances, 21Common’s new show promises to be a potent mix of karaoke chaos, physical endurance, and raw, Western-inspired drama.
The collective, comprising artists Lucy Gaizely, Gary Gardiner, Scotland’s leading learning-disabled dance artist Ian Johnston, and Executive Producer Louise Irwin, is celebrated for challenging conventional notions of artistry. Their work consistently highlights under-represented voices and pushes boundaries, and their upcoming performance is no exception.
Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir draws inspiration from Western film tropes to delve into themes of poverty and violence, exploring how these elements shape masculinity. The production is a visceral journey through a family dynamic that often mirrors a "ring of fire"—combining elements of a saloon, a speakeasy, and a bare-knuckle boxing ring. Expect crooner country classics, vigorous danceathons, and intense confrontations that highlight the impact of socio-economic struggles on personal identity.
The show’s origins lie in a deep examination of how poverty restricts agency and how exposure to violence influences masculine ideals. By drawing from the lived experiences of its collaborators, Common Is As Common Does confronts the uncomfortable reality of normalised violence in contemporary society.
Directed by Lucy Gaizely and Gary Gardiner, alongside Dan Brown, the performance will run from Friday 2nd August to Saturday 17th August(excluding the 11th and 12th) at the Zoo Southside’s Main House. Tickets start at £14.
This powerful production is part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2024, marking another milestone for 21Common in their ongoing quest to redefine the boundaries of performance art.
Join 21Common for a dance experience that promises to be as thrilling and unpredictable as the Wild West itself.