Matthew Lillard has been recognised every day since arriving in Scotland earlier this month by fans of his star turn in the horror film Scream and others who recognise him from the movie Scooby-Doo.
In a festival with more than 3,300 acts vying for attention, however, the actor and director is finding getting his plays noticed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe more difficult.
“It’s crazy, it’s my first time here,” he said. “How do you get someone to see this out of a sea of shows? It’s a little insane.”
He remains popular for his turn as grinning psychopath Stu Macher in Scream, a film that will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, as well as Shaggy in the live-action version of Scooby-Doo.
Lillard is at the Fringe directing the European premieres of Fault Lines by Stephen Belber and Filthy Talk for Troubled Times by Neil LaBute, two acclaimed US playwrights. The shows are two of seven productions in rep at the Basic Mountain venue.
“The great thing about being at the Fringe is to buy into the experience. Nobody is here to make money,” the director said. “I’ve known about the Fringe since high school so coming to something like this is incredible.”
Fringe guide:
Best comedy shows, from Johnny Vegas to Katherine Ryan
Best in Theatre, from Fake It ‘till You Make It to Murmel Murmel
Best performances from Sylvie Guillem to Correction
Best music, books and Art, from The Flaming Lips to Val McDermid
Lillard has received support from star names. Sir Patrick Stewart, with whom he filmed Match last year, sent him a text saying: “Congratulations, break a leg. In 53 years I’ve never had a chance to get up there. I’m jealous.”
Lillard recently appeared in the US version of Scandinavian crime thriller The Bridge.
