Dramaturgical Rainwear: The Kagools@ Edfinge

GKV: What inspired this production: did you begin with an idea or a script or an object?
The Kagools: We began with the characters, which were an observation from people we had seen in real life. Over time they developed and became more surreal in their surroundings and with each other. 

Why bring your work to Edinburgh?
It's the world's largest arts festival. Our show appeals to a broad audience and so Edinburgh is the perfect platform.

What can the audience expect to see and feel - or even think - of your production?
We combine physical comedy, sketch and film to play with both a 3D and 2D world. Our aim is to make everyone laugh and feel involved. 

We hope that for the hour they are part of our show, they feel free to play. They can do so no matter what their age or what language they speak. 

The Dramaturgy Questions

How would you explain the relevance - or otherwise - of dramaturgy within your work?
There probably isn't full relevance to our work. However, the world or context of The Kagools only fully develops in a live setting through performance. 

That is to say, even if we develop the structure, story and characters in rehearsal, we don't know whether it will come alive unless we test it with an audience. Also, since our show is so interactive, this makes the audience a part of the forming and content of the show.


What particular traditions and influences would you acknowledge on your work - have any particular artists, or genres inspired you and do you see yourself within their tradition?
Mainly improvisation, mime and clowning. We recognise that we have drawn on the work of clowns/ mimes such as Jacques Lecoq and Philippe Gaulier and began working within their traditions but haven't adhered solely to their techniques. 

Other great mime and physical comedy performers such as Rowan Atkinson, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin are ingrained in the soul of our work, but again we've developed our own styles. 

Do you have a particular process of making that you could describe - where it begins, how you develop it, and whether there is any collaboration in the process?
It begins with the characters. We improvise with them and put them in different situations. It's then about trial and error with an audience until we settle on a scenario that works. The audiences are integral to the process.


What do you feel the role of the audience is, in terms of making the meaning of your work?
It's everything. Our show is interactive so it wouldn't work without an audience. It's a conversation without words. Where possible we have the house lights on so that we can see everyone, and acknowledge their reactions.