Edinburgh Fringe Interview: Ceilbí from A Xerox of A Deer

As the shows have descended on the busy town of Edinburgh, I am so excited to launch my Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Artist Interview series. I'm hoping to share some amazing shows with you, as I chat to the artists who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make them a reality! Today, I got the chance to chat to Ceilbí from Xerox of A Deer who talks about their love letter to Ireland, representation in theatre and Guinness.

Without spoiling, what is your show about?

In many ways, it’s a modern folktale, centring around a wounded deer who is as mad as sin and is cuckoo as all heavens. Desperate for a brawl with the oncoming traffic, he wants to die. But his plans are foiled when a farmer on the run rushes into his domain. 

The farmer dreams of leaving it all behind, but something inside of them is not right. A secret they have been pushing down that is bound to snap. They have not been feeling like themselves lately.

An unlikely friendship blooms, filled with charming banter and hearty laughs. But something lurks in the margins, a more sinister story that closes around them.

How did this show come to fruition?

It started as a love letter to Ireland. I wanted to tell a story about being different, in my case being trans-non binary, in a backwash small town. How isolating that can be, and how scared I was. I used to dream a lot of running away, but I never had the courage.

Ireland has a funny way of making dramatic and emotional situations feel light and comforting. I have always loved that about home, how even in the hardest times, there’s levity. So bringing what is at its core an emotional exploration of friendships and identity and marrying it to how that plays out in a rural Irish setting was always fun to me- it’s like two opposing themes battling against one another. 

And then, of course, it’s a deer. And it’s puppets. Ireland has a long history with puppetry. I think we all grew up watching puppets when we were young, from Bosco to Zig and Zag, to being older and watching Podge and Rodge. Puppets are part of our culture!

So, all that was in my head when I wrote it.

Why do you think this show is an important one for audiences to see?

Being trans is increasingly a battlefield- and even though the enemy is crusty old wrinkled sacks of flesh that we could easily take, just saying- it’s still so bloody upsetting! And this show really is important because it touches on what it means to be trans and to be different, but aims it at an audience who may not be used to that, or understand that.

I think it’s a show filled with hope- and it has a whole lotta heart. Yeah, it asks those kinds of questions like ‘Who are you?’ and ‘What are you fighting for?’- but more importantly, it presents a friendship that is worth something more than both of those things. Having someone to care about more than yourself. 

I want people to come away feeling like, if all else, that we are all here on this one road together. Some of us are going in different directions, but we are all here. And we need to look out for one another. 

How are you feeling about performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?

We are buzzing! We are performing from the 11th to the 16th at SpaceUK, Triplex Studio at 19:10. So, not long until we are up there now. We can’t wait to spend time with our mates who are up there with shows this year- and of course- to soak in the beauty of the city! 

We have been so lucky this year to have been awarded the Keep it Fringe fund, and to have had previews at Cork Fringe, which is a new festival that just started this year in our hometown, run by the lovely Ineke Lavers and Daniel Cremin. Everyone needs to go check it out! And in Theatre503 here in London, where we live. So, we’ve been really exploring the show loads, and we think it’s gonna go down a treat up in Edinburgh. We can’t wait. 

I’d love to shout out some shows that I can’t wait to see there- The Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams by Alana Stewart- who is ridiculously funny- is happening over at SpaceUK, On The Mile, and runs for the month. Expect to belly laugh lots.  Semi-Automatic Smokeshow looks so cool, directed by Megan Bartual Smyth. And Roadkill is another Irish trans-show that looks incredible! 

What advice would you give somebody who wants to pursue a career in theatre?

Make the thing. People will say ridiculous things to you about how you have to wait to be good. Don’t bother listening to that- those people are like brain worms. “It isn’t the cure for cancer” is what my old drama teacher Jon Whitty used to say. He used to smoke 2 cigarettes at the same time, so he was proper legit too! 

I think for the both of us, having each other to lean on is huge; like it makes it so much more rewarding because we get to do it together. From sharing ideas to looking out for each other when it gets tough. 

And never underestimate the power of a good needle-drop. Nothing like a catchy song playing to wake an audience. Haha. 

Anyways, I don’t know…just don’t be a dick.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you invite?

Whoever is the head of Art’s Council Funding. Easy!

What song would be represent your show?

Sure play some Wolfe Tones, holding onto your pint of Guinness like a parent holding a newborn, and imagine a deer in headlights. And if that doesn’t do it for ya- nothing will.

And finally, why should I buy a ticket to see your show?

It has a helluva lot of heart, a truly Irish drama unlike any you’ve encountered before. Binge Fringe names it one of their HOT 25 picks for this year’s festival! 

Ticket Information for Xerox of A Deer:

Xerox of A Deer runs at from the 11th to the 16th at SpaceUK, Triplex Studio at 19:10 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You can buy tickets here.