Joe Sellman-Leava is no stranger to the Edinburgh Fringe, having brought critically acclaimed shows like Labels and Fanboy to the festival in previous years. This August, he returns with a bold new production, It’s The Economy, Stupid! at the Pleasance Dome. Developed with internationally acclaimed director Katharina Reinthaller and co-created with designer Dylan Howells, the show promises to unpack the complex relationship between economics, politics, and our daily lives.
The show’s title, Sellman-Leava explains, comes from a phrase coined by James Carville, one of Bill Clinton’s strategists in the 1990s. “That election, the first Clinton election, was framed around the economy, and specifically, the recession of the early 90s,” he says. “The show deals with that recession, obviously from the UK perspective, but also that phrase, which has been adopted ever since and reflects this idea that elections are always framed around the economy.”
At its core, It’s The Economy, Stupid! seeks to explore the cost of this economic-centric approach to politics, especially in countries like Britain and America. Sellman-Leava poses the question, “If that’s true, what is the cost of that in a country like Britain where you have a lot of wealth, it’s a very wealthy nation, but that wealth is quite unevenly distributed?”
The show doesn’t just deal with abstract economic concepts, however. It’s deeply personal for Sellman-Leava, whose family lost their livelihood during the early 90s recession. “My parents ran a small greengrocers and post office, and they went under basically because of what was going on economically. And they lost their house as a result,” he shares. This personal narrative serves as a through-line, examining the human cost of economic systems and how the safety net that existed then differs from today’s reality.
In crafting the show, Sellman-Leava and his team have done extensive research, uncovering perspectives that challenge common assumptions about economics. “There are plenty of economists who would challenge some of the underlying assumptions that are made when we talk about it,” he notes. “One of them would be growth, for example. We often talk about GDP as a figure that is discussed a lot, but there are plenty of economists, including people like Kate Raworth, who would challenge the idea that growth is always desirable or even always possible.”
The show employs innovative theatrical techniques to bring these ideas to life. Sellman-Leava reveals, “We use stage magic as a kind of metaphor for money in the economy. This invisible thing that we invented that has a very real effect on the world and our own lives, all our lives.” This blend of storytelling, visual design, and theatrical magic promises to make the often dry subject of economics engaging and accessible.
Collaboration has been key in developing It’s The Economy, Stupid!, Sellman-Leava speaks highly of working with Dylan Howells and Katharina Reinthaller. “I think it’s shaping up to be something that’s very unique to the three of us and our different ways of working,” he enthuses. “It’s about framing something very personal, but within a context that affects everyone.”
While the show tackles serious themes, Sellman-Leava assures that it’s not all doom and gloom. “There’s a lot of comedy in there,” he says. “It’s a two-hander really because Dylan, who designed the show, also performs in it. So, there’s a lot of back and forth.”
As for why audiences should see It’s The Economy, Stupid! at this year’s Fringe, Sellman-Leava offers a compelling pitch: “I’d say it’s a play about the cost of framing politics around elections. And it’s a funny and moving story with a dash of theatrical magic.”
With its blend of personal narrative, economic exploration, and theatrical innovation, It’s The Economy, Stupid! promises to be a thought-provoking addition to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. As Sellman-Leava and his team prepare to take the stage at the Pleasance Dome, audiences can look forward to a show that not only entertains but also challenges our understanding of the economic forces that shape our world.
It’s The Economy, Stupid! runs at the Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome) from July 31st to August 26th, 2024 (not 7th, 14th, 21st) at 13:10.
