“This year I am later in the day and hopeful it’s going to make all the difference. I’m also going to be going for a wider variety of guest spots during the day too.”
WHO: Ben Macpherson
WHAT: “Funny, horrible and just a little bit naughty, purveyor of playful poetry, Ben Macpherson (BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2), returns to the Fringe with this perfect gateway into the afternoon through poems and stories for all ages. Delight at the awful adults, beastly brats and curious creatures from this verbal tour de force. Ben’s poetry easily sets itself among the likes of Roald Dahl, Spike Milligan and Hilaire Belloc with equal parts magic and mischief that will leave you chuckling long after its final rhyme. ‘Full of humour and drive’ (Michael Rosen). ‘Dizzyingly, dazzlingly brilliant’ (Brian Bilston).”
WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake – Downstairs Room (Venue 117)
WHEN: 12:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is the second time Serious Nonsense has been at the Fringe and I’m so excited to be back again. Edinburgh is an amazing place to find new audiences and stretch yourself outside of your usual stomping grounds. If you are looking for shows it’s a chance to see things you’d never normally see and checkout different art forms – a mixture is best!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
In 2023 I learnt that how important show times were. I had a brilliant venue just off the Royal Mile but because it was so early I always seemed to be struggling for audiences. This year I am later in the day and hopeful it’s going to make all the difference. I’m also going to be going for a wider variety of guest spots during the day too.
Tell us about your show.
My show is Serious Nonsense, a poetry show for all ages that is equal parts, funny, playful and thoughtful. It build on last years show of the same name and is the perfect gate way to an afternoon at the fringe. If you enjoy the playfulness of Roald Dahl or the storytelling of Hillaire Belloc then this show will suit you to a tee. From horrible things happening to beastly brats, madcap monsters and awful adults, there is something for everyone at this event.
I’ve been lucky enough to be featured on BBC Radio2, 4 Extra and Local stations as well as share work at Lattitude festival and regional festivals around the country too. The audience have a great time, leaving with recurring rhymes caught in their brains. I’m the sole writer and performer so theres a fun tornado of running and performing the show that leads to a really personalised experience for everyone who comes along to see. If you don’t normally see poetry shows, then this show is the perfect gateway.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m going to recommend 2 shows! first off is the wonderful Half a String bring “Breathe” up to the Edinburgh Fringe – This is a family show that makes an epic saga out of an acorn as it grows. Truly amazing puppetry and senses of scale in a fringe time scale. You must not miss this especially if you have kids approaching double digits.
My other recommendation is another puppet show “Bills 44th” which I saw last year, taking a punt with my Mum when she visited. This is very much not a family show with a trippy journey into the life of Bill, a puppet, as he turns 44. The show brings together puppetry and clowning in a really vibrant way, that will have you laughing and sobbing in its run.
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