Monthly Archives: June 2022

Bedfringe 2021 Interview: An Evening With The 2 Toms

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“As well as being just round the corner from my house, Bedfringe has always been a great festival to be involved in. James and the team are an absolute joy to work with.”

WHO: Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq: Performer

WHAT: “Join viral star Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq. and London cabaret virtuoso Tom Carradine for an evening of sing-along-fun and musical humour! You can expect plenty of laughter, raucous audience participation and, if you’re lucky, they may even play a song or 2 together!”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 22 July 2022 @ 19:00 (60mins)

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Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is my 3rd Bedfringe (Thomas B. Wild Esq) but it will be Tom Carradine’s first. I have not done a full show in the main theatre before (on other years I’ve performed in the garden or bar) so this will be my 1st time doing that. As well as being just round the corner from my house, Bedfringe has always been a great festival to be involved in. James and the team are an absolute joy to work with and make the whole experience very easy. There is always a diverse range of acts and the venue(s) are offer great facilities for producers, performers and punters alike.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2021 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since my last visit to Bedfringe, I finally managed to finish my 2020 tour (I had lots of re-scheduled shows) and I managed to record a new album of original songs which came out just before Christmas. 2022 has been mostly focused on arranging shows and making connections with other artists. To be honest it’s been a bit of a whirlwind now that we’re able to play in front of actual audiences again and I haven’t really had time to think! I have got a lot better at recording music in my home studio (spare room) though! Tom Carradine has been continuing his online shows but has also been able get back to in person gigs (and has even found the time to record piano and accordion for some of my album tracks!) We’ve even been discussing the prospect of some international shows, if this all goes well!

Tell us about your show.

This will only be the 2nd time we’ve performed this show together! The best way of describing it is raucous, sing-along fun. Tom C’s part of the show consists of songs that everybody will know (and the lyrics will be on hand just in case) and my part half is perfect for after those interval drinks! The suggestion for us to combine forces came from GetYourCoatsOn’s very own Dan Lentell, so we hope he’s happy with himself (and he’d better write us a good review!)

What should your audience see at Bedfringe after they’ve seen your show?

I’m looking forward to so many acts this year! Of course, Dave Alnwick is always excellent as are Marcel Lucont and Luke Kempner, and I discovered the hilarious Shelf comedy online last year so I look forward to seeing them live. There is also the fabulous Coor Brow Obles on the garden stage again, as well as all the acts being put on for the Blender takeover. So much great stuff to see on my doorstep! I will have to try and convince Tom Carradine stick around for a bit!

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Bedfringe 2021 Interview: Max Fulham: “Is It Just Me?”

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“To be in the lovely Quarry Theatre with a room full of people and sharing laughs was very special.”

WHO: Max Fulham: performer

WHAT: “When Max’s parents bought their nine-year-old son a puppet for Christmas they were not expecting him to become a full-time ventriloquist!

Returning after his successful show in 2021, Max Fulham brings his hilarious show combining stand-up and skilful ventriloquism to Bedfringe 2022. With television appearances including ITV’s ‘Game Of Talents’ and viral success on TikTok, Max brings the traditional art of ventriloquism bang up to date.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 30 July 2022 @ 14:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is my second time at BedFringe after performing there last year. I had a really great time and it was one of those magical shows that survived amongst pandemic chaos. To be in the lovely Quarry Theatre with a room full of people and sharing laughs was very special. Really looking forward to coming back this year with some brand new things and maybe a puppet debut or two. Oh did I mention I’m a ventriloquist? Should probably have given that context earlier otherwise you would have thought I’m just some guy with puppets… suppose I am that too though- but in a funny comedy way, not a lonely, are-they-replacements-for-real-friends kind of way!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2021 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

It has been a busy year so far performing everywhere from comedy clubs to cruise ships! There was one week of gigging recently where I clocked up over 1500 miles in my car (which is more than the Proclaimers covered on foot). I’ve also been busy creating #content for social media too. It’s very fun firing out my silly videos into the internet for people to enjoy. This year I also performed my first solo show in London’s West End, but that’s just showing off now!

Tell us about your show.

My show is what happens when old-school variety meets modern-day stand-up. Some people switch off when they hear ventriloquism but cast your Summertime Special and creepy dummy thoughts aside and come along as I introduce you to my various puppet characters, including my own Grandad, and we will have a great laugh.

What should your audience see at Bedfringe after they’ve seen your show?

I wish I was around for more of the BedFringe!! There are so many good shows on! I would love to see Katie Pritchard with her show Disco Ball on 24th as I am yet to see her perform live but love the clips I have seen online. I’d also love to see The First Broadcast: The Battle for the Beeb in 1922 by the superb Paul Kerensa. And thirdly, because three is a neat number, I would definitely go and see ‘Charlie Russell Aims To Please’ as I am such a huge fan of Mischief Theatre’s work.

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Bedfringe 2021 Interview: Olaf Falafel: STOAT

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“Did I mention I’m the three-year holder of the Edinburgh Festival Funniest Joke?”

WHO: Olaf Falafel: Star!

WHAT: “Olaf Falafel is the holder of ‘Dave’s Best Joke Of The Fringe’ but more importantly he is also the holder of ‘Person Whose Show Description You Are Currently Reading And Are Tempted To Book Tickets For’.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 22 July 2022 @ 20:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

It’s not, I think it may be my fourth. Bedfringe is always a really warm supportive crowd, perfect for when some of the stuff I’m trying might not necessarily be 100% yet. They’re a comedy-savvy crowd and I’m not just saying that to butter up my audience members!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2021 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve been doing all sorts of stuff – making art videos for kids on YouTube, illustrating kids books, making comedy videos, writing children’s books – I’m like Little Britain’s Dennis Waterman (RIP)

Tell us about your show.

Well, it’s a mixture of stupid jokes, (did I mention I’m the three-year holder of the Edinburgh Festival Funniest Joke?), audience interaction, weird videos and a very loose thread running through it about my cat.

What should your audience see at Bedfringe after they’ve seen your show?

I’m actually going to be heading straight off for a quick holiday straight after my show but I’d love to have been able to catch Matt Winning’s Hot Mess. Matt is equal parts funny, talented and intelligent, his show is all about climate change and it is going to be really good.

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Bedfringe 2021 Interview: Chelsea Birkby: No More Mr Nice Chelsea

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“As a comic, I love a fringe where you can feel that something is in town when you arrive!”

WHO: Chelsea Birkby

ROLE IN THE PRODUCTION: Star 😉

HAT: “Chelsea Birkby: No More Mr Nice Chelsea is the debut hour from “rising star” Ox in a Box, “one to watch” Funny Women and multi-competition finalist, Chelsea Birkby.

It’s about accepting the things about ourselves that aren’t so lovely, and includes the perks of having a breakdown in your early 20s.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 22 July 2022 @ 19:30 (55mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

It’s my first time at Bedfringe. I’m excited as my sister and her family live in Bedfordshire and I’d visit all the time from Milton Keynes as a teen (fond memories of Bedford Nandos and Primark, huge to me at that age). The one-way system was overwhelming for me and my P plates after MK’s roundabouts. A great festival is one with a selection of acts from TV stars to up-and-comers, where you can see stand-up and sketch and clown and anything else. As a comic, I love a fringe where you can feel that something is in town when you arrive! And although the shows might be in studios and tucked away, you can feel something special is happening.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2021 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I don’t know if it’s the pandemic, being older or years of therapy but I’ve felt a real change in 2022. I care a little less what people think and I feel something new is blossoming: I feel more present, more resilient. And it’s changed the show, I previously wanted to do a show about sexual shame and philosophy but after the lockdowns (and a trip to clown school in Paris), this one is sillier and more honest. Also, I’ve really got into iced buns. That’s not part of the show but just, why are they so good, it’s so simple!

Tell us about your show.

No More Mr Nice Chelsea is an hour of stand-up where we’ll explore what it is to be ‘nice’ and when it’s time to stop. Looking at where being lovely comes from and the things polite people don’t talk about like sex, drugs and rock n roll (well, Nickelback). It’s a show for anyone who’s ever been afraid of their wild side and what happens when we hold it in…and let it out. Come if you say sorry too much, love philosophy and pop culture, and like your comedy playful and thoughtful. My first preview got this review from Oxford’s DailyInfo “Chelsea’s show crackled with energy and ambition…what was most admirable was the performer’s willingness to skirt easy laughs and handle more challenging subjects. It may just be April but it felt like we witnessed a potentially big hit when this show reaches its final destination…Brimming with talent, sure to go far.”

What should your audience see at Bedfringe after they’ve seen your show?

Bedfringe is teeming with incredible shows from brilliant artists. My advice is to go and see things you’ve never heard of as well as your faves. Personally, I can recommend Phil Green’s show (we’ve both been developing our shows with support from Soho Theatre), Shelf are fantastic and always have been, Louise Atkinson is one to watch, Katie Pritchard is one of the most joyful performers, I’ve seen every show Jacob Hawley has done and look up to him, Michael Akadiri’s debut is very exciting and my top recommendation is Eric Rushton’s first hour, there’s no one like him on the circuit, he’s brilliant.

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