Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#103): Jack McGuire, CHANNEL
As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by Jack McGuire to find out more about Channel.
1.Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
Channel is a deep listening experience, where the audience are invited to use their voice to connect others and to their relationship to listening. It is based on the work of composer Pauline Oliveros, who challenged her audience to develop new ways of listening. The soundscape is supported by a live improvised score that will change each day depending on the sounds of the audience.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
I have participated in the Fringe for a few years now and it can be a bit of a grind. There’s so many amazing shows to see and maybe you have your own to do, and that can get exhausting. I wanted to bring this work to the Fringe this year as a way to make an experience where people can slow down and have a moment to recharge. A moment of reflection and connection to others through the work of deep listening.
3.How would you describe your show in three words?
Peaceful, Inviting, and Connected
4.What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I would like the audience to walk away with a new appreciation for the act of listening. I want the audience to leave feeling a sense of connection to their environment and to others because they are more aware of the sounds of their daily live. I want to inspire the people who see this show to listen more carefully and with more intention because I think that will lead to more connection.
5.What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Don’t try to see to many shows in one day! There is a lot of amazing work being shown at this festival and it can be hard to not want to try and see as much as possible. But I think it is important to give yourself time to sit with and process the pieces you see. I end up feeling like I am not seeing much when I go to too many things back-to-back.
6. Where and when can people see your show?
We are on everyday (except the 11th) at 2:40pm at the Assembly Roxy!
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