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Sands Stirling and Nathan Scott-Dunn on taking two shows to EdFringe
There are so many international productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that it’s often really refreshing to get a tasty bite of Scottish writing, complete with salt ‘n’ sauce. This year Saltire Sky Productions are taking two shows to the Fringe, one a revival of an award-winning play and the other a brand new piece. We were lucky enough to get to ask Nathan Scott-Dunn and Sands Stirling about the works, which Nathan wrote and they co-direct.
Hi guys. So your first show, Bits ‘N’ Pieces won a handful of awards back in 2022 and now you’re bringing it back. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Absolutely, we’re thrilled to bring Bits ‘N’ Pieces back to the Fringe. The show is a deep dive into the complex issues surrounding the demonisation of drug users, the lack of safe drug education, and the pervasive dangers of misinformation. It’s set in the midst of Scotland’s ongoing drug deaths crisis, a harrowing reality for many communities. Our intention with this production is to humanise the statistics that are often reported in the media. By focusing on personal stories and lived experience, we aim to give a voice to those affected, illustrating the real human cost behind the numbers. The narrative is not just about drugs but about understanding the socio-economic conditions and personal struggles that drive individuals into that world, alongside themes of loss and camaraderie. This approach allows us to foster empathy and challenge the stigma associated with drugs. The show is immersive, set against the backdrop of the first ever rave at the prestigious Usher Hall, with a DJ mixing live throughout the production, we want to make the production as entertaining as it is challenging.
How do you manage to keep the story authentic when you’re dealing with weighty issues like war, class, and drugs?
Maintaining authenticity is paramount when tackling such significant issues. For Bits ‘N’ Pieces, we undertook extensive research, alongside our own lived experience, engaging with individuals who have firsthand experience with drug addiction and those working in harm reduction and drug education. We collaborated with community groups, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organisations to ensure our portrayal was both accurate and respectful. Our partner charity for the production, Crew 2000, do amazing work on a daily basis to reduce harm and ultimately save lives; their message of neither condoning nor condemning drug use is a message we really want to champion. It’s crucial to approach these subjects with sensitivity and depth, avoiding oversimplification and stereotypes. We strive to present a multi-faceted view of the issues, recognising that they are intertwined with factors like poverty, mental health, and social inequality. By grounding our story in real-life experiences and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with those directly impacted, we aim to create a narrative that resonates with truth and empathy.
Can you tell us a bit about the music in the show and what it adds to the narrative?
Music is an integral part of Bits ‘N’ Pieces, serving as both an emotional undercurrent and a narrative device. Working closely with DJ and Actor Sam Johnston, we’ve carefully curated a mix of techno, dance, trance and disco tunes to evoke the cultural and emotional landscape of our story. The music underscores pivotal moments, amplifying the emotional intensity and helping to convey the inner turmoil and resilience of our characters. For example, more well-known tunes are used to ground the story in its cultural context, while more modern, experimental sounds reflect the chaos and confusion associated with the world of drugs. Music also bridges the gap between scenes, maintaining the flow of the narrative and enhancing the overall atmosphere. It’s a powerful tool that helps us connect with the audience on a deeper, more visceral level and above all Sam mixes the show live which means it’s always changing, keeping it fresh and it’s never the same show twice, especially when the characters and audience attend the rave in the show.
MANikin is brand new to the Fringe. What’s the story behind it?
MANikin is a deeply personal exploration of male obesity and body image issues in modern society. The show tells the story of one man’s journey, from childhood bullying due to his weight to the lasting impact these experiences have on his adult life. It delves into how societal expectations and stigmatisation affect men’s mental health, an often under-discussed topic. By focusing on a single character, we aim to shed light on the broader issue of male body image, challenging the stereotypes and opening up conversations about self-worth, vulnerability, and acceptance. The protagonist’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery, highlighting the importance of self-compassion and the need for societal change in how we perceive and discuss male bodies. Working closely with Josh Brock to create a story depicting his own life experience, which is shared with many others, it is a very intimate production giving an access-all-areas approach to living with obesity in modern society and again voicing the unsung, human stories behind the statistics.
Have you worked with other organisations to support your research on this show?
Yes, our approach to both Bits ‘N’ Pieces and MANikin has been collaborative and research-driven. For Bits ‘N’ Pieces, we partnered with drug education charities, harm reduction organisations, and community outreach programs. These collaborations were essential in grounding our narrative in real-world experiences and ensuring that we presented a nuanced and informed perspective. Similarly, for MANikin, we’ve partnered The British Obesity Society. Their insights and expertise have been invaluable in shaping the show’s narrative and ensuring we address the issues with the sensitivity and accuracy they deserve, and they have helped us create a care package for audience members to take away post show, helping sign post where to go if you have been affected by any of the issues we explore. Furthermore, we hope to continue this partnership post Fringe to reach a wider audience and get this story to the people that really need to hear it. These partnerships not only enrich our storytelling but also help us create work that is impactful and relevant, being able to use the arts to champion the work of charities like Crew 2000 and The British Obesity Society will help us showcase that the arts has a vital role to play in achieving System Change.
It’s a solo performance. How does it differ directing just one actor to a high-energy, audience interactive show like Bits ‘N’ Pieces?
MANikin presents unique challenges and opportunities compared to the ensemble dynamic of Bits ‘N’ Pieces. With a single actor, the focus is intensely on their ability to convey a wide range of emotions and perspectives, often switching between characters and scenes seamlessly. It requires a deep, collaborative relationship between the directors and the actor to ensure every moment is compelling and authentic. This is something that comes naturally to Josh Brock as a performer, he is an absolute dream to work with. He maintains a high level of energy and engagement, drawing the audience into the story through his performance alone. In contrast, Bits ‘N’ Pieces benefits from the dynamic interplay between the actors, creating a vibrant and interactive experience. The solo nature of MANikin fosters an intimate connection with the audience, inviting them to become deeply invested in the protagonist’s journey. It can be pretty intense, but we want to create productions that you can’t hide from and it forces you to challenge your perception of the issues we are addressing.
Your stories are very specifically Scotland-based, but do you think they speak to a wider audience?
Absolutely. While our stories are deeply rooted in Scottish experiences, the themes we explore — such as drug addiction, body image, mental health, and societal pressures — are universally relevant. The specific context of Scotland adds authenticity and richness to the narrative, but the core issues transcend geographical boundaries. The human experiences we depict resonate with audiences everywhere because they touch on fundamental aspects of working-class life: struggle, resilience, identity, and the search for understanding. By presenting these stories through a Scottish lens, we hope to offer unique insights while also sparking broader conversations about these critical issues. Ultimately, the emotions and challenges faced by our characters are shared by people worldwide, making our work both specific and universal which is ideal for such a diverse fringe audience. What better platform to get the conversation started?
Thanks very much to Sands and Nathan for chatting with us about these exciting productions.
MANikin plays at The Wee Red Bar Main Space (Venue 506) at the Edinburgh Fringe from 2-25 August at 5pm, while Bits ‘N’ Pieces plays the same venue at 7:30pm. More information and booking details can be found here.
