“A bunch of comedian friends are coming up this year to do their various debuts, so I’m excited to see what they all do!”
WHO: Alex Franklin
WHAT: “In 2024, trans girl Alex (me) started HRT. Now she (me) feels the most alive she’s (me’s) ever felt; and she wants to make you feel alive too, or die trying. A ludicrous, musical, chaotic, joyful show about the colours of the world becoming slowly brighter and giving people furniture via the tube. Also being trans. As seen / heard on Channel 4 / HBO Max / BBC Radio 4. ‘Undeniably ludicrous comedy gold’ **** (Entertainment-Now.com). ‘Eclectic, risk-taking and inventive’ (Scotsman). ‘Winningly weird… this young comic is on the way up’ (Telegraph). Directed by Dom Stephens.”
WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate – Delhi Belly (Venue 61)
WHEN: 20:25 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
It’s the third! I did my first solo show in 2022 (along with a narrative sketch show called Chuck Salmon: Pool Noodles, it was too many things) – but back then I was definitely giving ‘small asian boi’ vibes, so I feel this year might be a different experience? I’m excited to return to Edinburgh again and find out! Also a bunch of comedian friends are coming up this year to do their various debuts, so I’m excited to see what they all do!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
It’s good to accept help when you can! For previous years, the shows I did were self-produced, and Fringe especially was a particularly trying time – if I ever got ill or had a rough day, there was no one else to fall back on. This year I’ve been lucky enough to have people supporting me (my producer Martin, director Dom and PR Angela, all absolutely lovely, all absolute angels), which has made a WORLD of difference, both logistically and emotionally; and frankly just allows me to do more!
Also I’ve really learned how to be comfortable in myself the past year – which partly comes with transitioning, and seeing myself when I look in the mirror; but with it also comes the belief that I have the right to make decisions for my own life, and that you don’t need to minimise yourself for the sake of others. I’m now much more comfortable thinking ‘what would Alex (me) do?’ rather than ‘what do others want me to do?’.
Oh also getting some sleep! Turns out you need sleep!
Tell us about your show.
The show is called ‘Gurl Code’ – it’s a show about trans joy, telling people I’m trans, and my past year on hormones. The past few years have been pretty rough on trans people in the UK, and I wanted to make something that helps us feel a sense of belonging, and shows the happiness and freedom you get to experience when you live as your true self.
It’s a bit scary as it’s a much more personal show than I’ve ever done before – it covers very real moments and aspects of my life, which is a big contrast to previous shows where I’ve pretended to be a bee or told a story about a dinosaur; but people have been liking it so far, so hopefully honesty is the best policy!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Okay so obviously do loads but to name but a few:
Will BF: Moon Team IIIV – Aside from being super good they’re also my housemate and I’ve watched them spent the past week trying to perfect a fish puppet so am pretty confident it’ll at least be memorable.
Selena Mersey: Madonna/Whore – Am pretty confident it’s won a bunch of awards?? Anyway go see it cos Selena is stunningly great
Andrew Doherty: Gay Witch Sex Cult – Literally one of my favourite shows of last year
Dr Dolittle Kills a Man (and Reads Extracts From His New Book) by Aidan Pittman – It has an animatronic puffin and as soon as that appeared it won me over
Dee Allum: Deadname – Perhaps the funniest comedian ever??
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