Family ties on show at Fringe
Les and Kai shine in festival show
A 12-year-old East Kilbride boy and his grandad have become unlikely stars of the big stage – wowing audiences with their ad-libbed intergenerational act at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Kai and Les Johnstone finished a run of six shows in Glas(s) Productions’ Old Boy on Sunday.
And the autobiographical performance, which explores familial relationships between three grandads and their grandsons – aged two, 12 and 22 – and their personal highs and lows of life, has earned rave reviews from the likes of The Stage and The Guardian.
Retired designer Les, a grandfatherof-eight from Calderwood, told the News it was an honour to share with a sold-out theatre each night how he spends time with his grandson in this “completely off the cuff ” production.
“It was a good laugh for me,” he said. “I’m 76 and now on stage at the Fringe – no script, everything completely off the cuff and with my wee buddy. It’s been great!”
Les agreed to take part in the performance last year when the production was first staged in Easterhouse, Glasgow – and support Kai, who was encouraged to take part by his drama teacher.
But the dynamic duo never dreamed they would end up treading the boards at the world’s largest arts festival.
Les continued: “The show begins with Kai’s opening gambit ‘Let me tell you about a 76-year-old man...’
“It’s a story about the important relationship between a grandfather and his grandson – a great concept.
“I talk about my family life, bringing up two boys on my own after my wife Anne died 40 years ago and looking after Kai at weekends after his mum and dad split up.
“Kai asks me things like what school was like in my day and then the audience hears about what school is like for 12-year-old boys these days, with all their electronics and apps – and we play silly games like Tig.
“We never expected to be promoted to the Fringe.”
Old Boy was billed as one of the top performances to go and see at this year’s festival.
Les went on: “I’m quite gregarious and easy going so I just got up and talked. It was never the same ‘script’ each night. I really enjoyed it and the audience loved it, it’s had quite an impact.
“For a 12-year-old, Kai did so well. He was nervous before each show but he told me he knew as long as he had his papa there he was okay.
“We have a great relationship, which is what Old Boy is all about.”
Kai, who grew up in Hairmyres but now lives in Glasgow, added: “I’ve learned a lot about my papa, he’s always there for me.”