Deadline at the Fringe are interviewing performers across the month, putting 20 questions to them.
Gene Peterson is a Director and Performer in 360 Allstars, a physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 Allstars connects street with elite to deliver a radical urban circus.
1. First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
I love Edinburgh! Here for the Fringe, and so very happy to be back!
2. Does your time here bring on joy or dread?
Joy of course! It’s the biggest arts festival in the world, with so many wonderful people presenting amazing works… nothing but a good time!
3. Are you a happy soul or do the occasionally dreich elements make you morose?
I’m a happy soul.. life’s too short.
4. Where will you visit on your day off and why?
Arthur’s Seat. It’s a lovely place to escape to, and also a fantastic viewpoint of the mayhem you’ve just escaped!
5. Do you ever get jealous of other performers?
No. Jealousy would be the wrong word. There’s certainly countless performers I admire for the skills they possess that I don’t… but it would be a boring old world if we were all the same, so it’s better to appreciate the beauty of our differences.
6. Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, very lucky to say so! I grew up on a small farm in a gorgeous part of Australia, with 2 incredible parents and 30 incredible cows.
7. What does success and failure mean to you?
Well, the ultimate goal is fulfillment… and you can achieve that with or without success. I’m lucky enough to live a lifestyle where success and fulfillment are very closely linked, but I do try to focus my attention on happiness and satisfaction.
8. Are you superstitious when it comes to performing?
Not at all.
9. What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
I don’t think I have one. Not to say that things won’t ever go wrong, but if you stay relaxed and have fun with it, the audience will enjoy it, so that takes the pressure off.
10. What is your favourite saying?
Positivity and negativity are equally contagious.
11. What is your worst habit?
Probably bad puns… you can’t habit all.
12. What do you love/hate about the festival?
As artists, we’re often on the same circuit, but never at the same venue at the same time… but in Edinburgh, we’re all here, all at once, so it’s a wonderful chance to get to hang out together and see each other’s work.
13. Tell me about your most passionate embrace.
A gentleman never kisses and tells!
14. Do you wear knickers under your kilt?
Sacrilege! Of course not!
15. Most embarrassing moment?
At the end of the day, we’re all just sacks of meat on a floating rock in space… nothing’s really worth getting embarrassed about. If something awful happens, let’s just laugh it off together.
16. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Maybe Colombia? Amazing music, food, culture, nature and just the nicest people!
17. Who would you be if you were not you?
Perhaps a good drummer.
18. What Scottish delicacies do you enjoy and, do any of them fill you with fear?
I enjoy all the staples (haggis, neeps, tatties)… but some of the deep fried dishes are genuinely worrying!
19. What is your greatest ambition?
I’d like to be as selfless as my mother. It’s one thing to go up on stage and make people happy… but she lives and breathes generosity, and does it without any of the limelight.
20. How can we bring world peace?
It all starts with you and me!
