From corporate boardrooms to the rehearsal rooms of Southwark Playhouse, Edward Wu’s journey into theatre has been anything but conventional. Now starring as The Amazing Karnak in the UK premiere of Ride the Cyclone, Edward brings a unique perspective to a role that’s as enigmatic as it is central to the show’s narrative.
“I was not an actor for the longest time in my life,” Edward begins. “I started this acting journey in 2022. I worked in the corporate world and I thought I was going to be a lawyer. And at some point, I said, I really want to give this performance art thing a go.”
That decision, made during the existential haze of the COVID-19 pandemic, led Edward to apply to several drama schools. “I got the Lambda offer for the MA in classical acting. And I took that as a sign, let’s give it a shot.”
Now, just two years out of training, Wu is stepping into a role that demands both precision and presence. “Ride the Cyclone, my goodness. What is it not?” Edward laughs. “It’s genre-defying. It has pretty much every genre smacked into 90 minutes. It’s mysterious, it’s fun, and it’s full of life lessons.”
Edward plays Karnak, who guides the story’s six teenage characters through a surreal post-mortem talent show. “I’m literally an animatronic fortune teller machine,” Edward explains. “I’m technically in a box, surrounded by walls, and I have to convey this heavy sense of gravitas through limited physicality and space. I thought that would be an awesome challenge.”
That challenge began with the audition, where Edward leaned into the character’s mechanical nature. “I studied animatronic movements for the self-tape. I brought a little bit of seriousness and what I perceived as humour. And I guess production and casting loved it, so here I am.”
While Karnak may not be a traditional villain, Wu is drawn to the character’s moral ambiguity. “There’s something ominous about Karnak. I won’t give too much away, but there’s a contrast between light and dark in this character. That interplay seemed like a really big challenge.”
Rehearsals have offered new insights into the character, thanks to director Lizzie G. “Lizzie has so much energy. She takes on such a physical presence in the room, and that’s the driving force for the entire cast,” Edward shares. “She’s challenged me to work within the parameters of the script, but also given me the freedom to explore.”
Edward’s appreciation for the show extends to its music. “The soundtrack is amazing. I think that’s what made it a global phenomenon,” Edwards says. “My favourites are ‘Sugar Cloud’ and ‘The World Needs People Like Me.’ The latter is so narcissistic, it’s horrible, but it’s composed in such an upbeat tempo that you bop along to it. It’s really revealing.”
So what is it about Ride the Cyclone that has made it such a cult hit internationally? Edward believes it’s the diversity of its characters. “All six characters are such personalities in their own right, with radically different circumstances. I would imagine most people who like the show have found identity in at least one, if not multiple characters.”
And for London audiences, Edward promises something truly unique. “This really isn’t like anything else on the West End or Off West End. If you want to be surprised and delighted by something novel, this is the show for you.”
