“The first time I stepped off the tram in Edinurgh and looked up to see a castle, I was hooked.”
WHO: Ansa Edim
WHAT: “Join award-winning storyteller Ansa Edim in her hilarious and heartfelt one-woman show, Is This Normal?, as she takes you on a wild ride through dating at the intersections of race, body image and mental health. Growing up fat, Ansa faced relentless body shaming that deeply affected her self-esteem and mental health, leading to severe depression and anxiety. It didn’t help that she was constantly getting engaged and calling off weddings. From the awkward missteps of a naïve newbie to the empowering realizations of a confident woman, Ansa’s journey is a rollercoaster of laugh-out-loud moments and poignant insights.”
WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Theatre 3 (Venue 53)
WHEN: 22:15 (50 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
The first time I stepped off the tram in Edinurgh and looked up to see a castle, I was hooked. Edinburgh quickly became one of my favorite cities and I returned monthly for some time. As a storyteller, I’d performed in Capital Fringe, the local fringe festival in my hometown of Washington, DC, and as my career expanded, so did my dreams. I planned to attend EdFringe for the first time in 2024 as a spectator. But after life shift that sent me reeling, I realized that my life is up to me. I wrote a one-woman show and to pitched it for EdFringe THIS YEAR.
EdFringe is special to me because of the global community that unites for a month of transformative experiences. I’m already prepping myself for the goodbye tears I’ll shed at the end of the month. It’s a playground and launching pad all in one. Contrary to other Fringe Festivals that I’ve performed in, EdFringe seems uncontainable in the best way. A bucket list item of mine for sure.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Since 2023, I’ve learned that life is all about rolling with the punches and finding humor in even the messiest situations. My journey has taught me that “normal” is just a setting on a washing machine. I’ve learned to embrace my quirks, laugh at my failures, and celebrate the moments that make me ask, “Is this normal?” Whether it’s navigating the wild world of European Tinder or surviving a panic attack on a hospital floor in Honolulu, I’ve learned to find the funny in the not-so-funny. Have I absorbed these lessons yet? I’d say only partially. My show is about the universe constantly sending me lessons to learn and me consistently (and conveniently) ignoring the call.
Tell us about your show.
“Is This Normal?” is my comedic baby, written and performed by yours truly. It’s produced by… well, me, myself, and I! This show is a rollercoaster of laughs, exploring everything from body image issues to dating disasters, all through the lens of my own wild experiences. The idea for this show came together after the end of my marriage. After marrying the first person who ever asked me out, I was suddenly thrown into the world of dating apps and hookups at the age of 28. The “WTF” moments continued to mount and after each one I would ask my friends “Is that normal?” Standing on bar tables in Iceland retelling the story of how an Irishman had wronged me and left me stranded alone in the country turned into an award-winning career in storytelling. All of this culminated into “Is This Normal” premiering at EdFringe this year! After the Fringe, I’m taking the show to Mexico City. After that? The sky’s the limit!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
After figuring out whether you want to shake me by the shoulders or give me a hug at the end of “Is This Normal?”, I highly suggest some of the shows on my shortlist right now: Late Night Drunk Comedy Challenge at Hoots, The Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis at C Venues Aurora Studio, and Good Girl at Paradise in the Vault.
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