EdFringe Talk: Juliette Burton: No Brainer

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Every show, every set is a lesson waiting to be learned. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to say ‘fuck it’.”

WHO: Juliette Burton

WHAT: “Everyone’s got a brain, although some work differently to others. In fixing her broken brain, Juliette learned a lot. Tired of mental health problems? Now is the time for solutions. Join award-winning comedian Juliette as she shares a manual for the mind. Not another awareness-raising show, but a change-making show. Is getting better a no-brainer? As seen on BBC One, ITV, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live. Edinburgh Fringe total sell-out, 2015 to 2018. ‘Joyous’ (Times). ‘Fringe favourite’ (Guardian). ‘Hilarious’ ***** (EdFestMag.com). ***** (Mirror). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (VoiceMag.uk). **** (Sunday Express). **** (One4Review.co.uk).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 19:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been performing in Edinburgh for over a decade now, sold out 4 years in a row, won a few awards and found my home, myself, my family thanks to the festival. A great festival is made by audiences. I might create a show but audiences make a show. All the sold out shows and awards mean nothing without an audience there to enjoy it. Audiences in Edinburgh helped me find a higher calling and my direction in life. I even moved to Edinburgh after falling in love with the city, and a man who lived there. When that relationship didn’t work out, I turned it into a show. Just like everything in my life, I wrote to cope. I wrote to communicate meaning, to find meaning and to galvanise others to take action to change the world. Thanks to the Fringe I toured in Australia and New Zealand, I met fellow change makers who craved progress and saw the arts and comedy as a vehicle for that. Edinburgh festival gave me my greatest successes and my greatest lessons. It shaped who I was and the direction of my life. I’ve had a longer relationship with this festival than any romantic relationship. However the pandemic changed everything. The pandemic ripped the live circuit away. It left me bereft. To cope, I wrote. And I took my time before returning. This is the year I will return.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I didn’t perform in Edinburgh in 2022. I spent the last 4 years rebuilding. In 2020 I was in the middle of my second UK tour funded by the Arts Council which was cancelled due to lockdowns. I’ve spent the last few years sitting back and watching, learning from observing others, witnessing. This year I’m dipping my toe back in because I feel something building inside for the next step. Have I absorbed any of the lessons yet? I’ve spent the last 4 years absorbing, patiently waiting. I’m constantly learning. Every show, every set is a lesson waiting to be learned. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to say ‘fuck it’. Life is short. Performing is the greatest joy I have ever found in life. To have the opportunity to do it is a privilege that thanks to the pandemic I will never take for granted again. I am there to serve the audience by playing, by having fun and being a conduit for fun for them.

Tell us about your show.

Back in 2021 I applied for Arts Council funding to write a show about hope and how to find hope when things seem hopeless. A week after I got the funding I had a huge mental health breakdown. I’ve had a fair few in my time. I was sectioned under the mental health act aged 17, I was hospitalised 5 times for mental illness, been in therapy for 20 years and I’ve been diagnosed with 15 mental health conditions. I know what a breakdown looks like, and this was a big ‘un. I’ve rebuilt myself a number of times and this show showcases what I learned in this rebuild. I learned a lot in the past 4 years and I’ve taken my time to make this self development hilarious comedy content. We’ve all suffered one way or another in the last few years, so I wanted to share everything that has helped me so that audiences can help themselves. The show was meant to be about hope – that’s the light and fluffy side of me I used to perform as. This is grittier, more real, stronger. And if you like this you’re going to love what’s about to come… My show was written by me, Liam Bierne and Gareth Gwynn, it’s performed by me and all the parts of me I’ve healed. And it’s produced by Ingenious Fools, who are super supportive and have been during my difficult past few years. With this show I sold out at Machfest, Nottingham Comedy Festival, Leicester Comedy Festival and previews so far prove audiences seem to really love it in a “we really needed this” kind of way. So come see for yourself.

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

Definitely see Sooz Kempner. Sooz and I have known each other for almost as long as I’ve been performing in Edinburgh. During the pandemic especially we stayed in close touch. She’s a grafter, has worked her socks off to get to where she is right now and deserves all the good things coming to her. If you miss out on seeing her now, you’re missing a zeigeist. She’s channeling something bigger than herself and we’re just lucky to be around her while she’s doing so. Also Rachel Creeger who is another great friend and anyone performing at Gilded Balloon – they’re a terrific venue who are supporting great acts.

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