EdFringe Talk: Baxter vs The Bookies by Andy Linden

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“As a punter, Edinburgh festival is an embarrassment of riches, as a performer it’s a joy, a slog and an unforgettable month.”

WHO: Andy Linden

WHAT: “The bets are laid. We’re off! Actor Andy Linden (Harry Potter, Count Arthur Strong, The Business, Not Going Out) in a one-man play recounting the fluctuating fortunes of an ageing horse-racing tipster adrift in the modern world of technology. Baxter dreams of one day having a great win and bashing the bookies. But let’s face it, no one ever beats The Bookies. Do they? ‘A masterclass of thoroughbred character acting’ ***** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). ‘Mesmeric, the hour passed in an instant, but stays in the memory much longer’ **** (NorthWestEnd.com).”

WHERE: Snug at Gilded Balloon Patter House (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 13:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

So not my first Edinburgh! The first time was in 1985 with a show called ‘The Malvinas Cabaret’ at The Pleasance with my then-comedy-partner, actor Cliff Parisi (Fred in ‘Call the Midwife’). Since then, I’ve done loads of theatre and comedy, including: ‘Columbian Cousin’ at the Gilded Balloon in 1987 with Cliff, Arthur Smith and Caroline Quentin; my hugely successful award-nominated one-man-show ‘Barry Sorts it Out’ at the Gilded Balloon in 1997; and loads of stand up at The Gilded Balloon and The Pleasance.

The Edinburgh Festival is a special experience because you’re involved in the largest arts festival on the planet and doing it alongside so many of your mates from theatre and comedy. As a punter, Edinburgh festival is an embarrassment of riches, as a performer it’s a joy, a slog and an unforgettable month.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since I last did Edinburgh in 2022, the world seems to have gone mad and I realise that I shouldn’t take any of my little performing worries too seriously. And added to this, in 2022, I had a heart problem half way through the festival and was on my hands and knees waiting for the cavalry to arrive in an ambulance. The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is a marvel and it put me back together again and I’m hugely grateful. The wonderful Karen Koren who runs The Gilded Balloon eased any admin problems with cancelled shows and I’m so glad to be back at The Gilded Balloon again this year. I’m now fighting fit, but that whole experience taught me to enjoy every moment of the Fringe this time round.

Tell us about your show.

‘What’s the difference between saying your prayers at church and saying them at the racecourse. At the racecourse, you mean it.’ I’m an actor (Harry Potter, Not Going Out, Count Arthur Strong) but in my downtime I love horse racing and have developed a show about the ups and downs of a down at heel horse racing tipster pitting himself against the might of the bookies.

Baxter vs The Bookies is inspired by a book of the same name by Roy Granville. I have developed and added to this inspiration in making my own one man show. It’s a theatre show, with poignant moments, but with a light touch and lots of humour.

I premiered this show with a short run in Edinburgh 2022. This is the first full run. I’m doing a couple of nights at Barnstaple Theatre Fest in June, a preview at The Hen & Chickens in London and hope to tour it next year.

Like horse racing? It’s the show for you.

Like a story about an aging, outmoded underdog, struggling in the modern dizzying world of technology? It’s the show for you.

Like good story telling and passion. It’s the show for you.

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

Alan Davies: Think Ahead
Alan hardly needs my trumpeting, but I saw a work in progress performance recently for this show and was blown away by his comedic brilliance. Hugely funny, manic and oh so human!

The Improv All Stars
Side-splittingly hilarious seat-of-your-pants-impro from Ian Coppinger, Stuart Murphy, Stephen Frost, Richard Vranch and comedy star guests. I’ll definitely see this one.

Gavin Webster – The Gathering of the Gav
I never miss seeing brilliant comic Gavin Webster in Edinburgh with his always enthralling stories of his Geordie upbringing, his adoration of Newcastle football team and of being an all round top-notch northern lad.

Ben Moor: A Three Thing Day
Ben is always genuinely surprising and quirky. He is a consummate performer and thoughtful writer. I’m sure this show will be another winner.

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