Remembering Fred Hood, by Jonathan Broke

In the Underbelly at the weekend, we celebrated the life of a true Fringe Hero. Our friend and inspiration, Fred Hood, had died tragically on Christmas Eve of last year whilst skiing and, to honour his life and build his legacy, original company members of his company Double Edge Drama from the 1999-2001 era descended upon Edinburgh from all over the world. Fred was 28, and lived in Edinburgh.

Fred was one of life’s most beautiful characters, a man with a vast emotional palate and a traveller’s instinct for taking a risk in the name of discovery. Exceptionally bright and well read, Fred had attended Harvard University having left Eton College. His passion for theatre brought together a group of American and English actors and writers, who enjoyed remarkable success at the Fringe in 2000 and 2001.

The Underbelly, run by Fred’s then Double Edge Drama companions Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, grew into the spectacularly creative hub that it has become off the back of Double Edge’s inspired productions at that time - notably Fred’s own staging of Martin Sherman’s Bent.

At the weekend the cast and crew of nine years ago re-assembled to re-stage Bent, faithful to Fred’s original production, under the sensitive guidance of Fred’s great Harvard friend, Cary Maclellan. There was a cabaret to honour Fred, in which many of his friends showed off their talents for comedy, singing, oration and the quite frankly absurd. The original Underbelly improv group, Underbelly Funk, took to the stage again to see if they were still funny. Fred would have laughed throughout, which is more than can be said for the occasionally bewildered audience.

Also, there were readings of new work. To continue Fred’s legacy a fund in his name is being set up to help young artists to take their work to Edinburgh and enjoy the opportunities that Fred gave all of us all those years ago. Discussions for this are ongoing.

In amongst this emotionally charged weekend my current show, Comedy Bitch, continued its fabulous, maiden Edinburgh voyage. I think Fred would have loved Comedy Bitch. He would have been highly amused by the parody, and mock-disapproving of some of the more salacious material.

Whilst we all worry about reviews, success, ‘the future’ and if we know the right people, how wonderful to spend a weekend dedicated to what the Fringe is really all about: great art, laughter, new writing, friendships and genuine integrity. Fred, you are dearly missed. Now look down from up there and watch Comedy Bitch.

Jonathan Broke's show Comedy Bitch is at the Underbelly, 5.35pm, until 30 August.