“It’s such a beautiful mess! thousands of shows squeezed together in one city, all craving to connect with people.”
WHO: Diana Salles
WHAT: “A contemporary circus solo that embarks on a trans woman’s journey. The show explores the haunting feeling of having murdered one’s former self, a common experience for many trans people when leaving their assigned gender behind. Through a multidisciplinary repertoire such as aerials, dance, singing and physical theatre, Diana Salles invites us to reflect on the physical and emotional strength it takes to honour one’s truth. The combination of aerial silks, beautiful images and mesmerising music makes you want to hug the artist. A heart-stopping circus show that unravels the beauty of self-discovery.”
WHERE: Main Hall at Summerhall (Venue 26)
WHEN: 15:05 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Not my first time at all! I’ve been before as an audience member and absolutely fell in love with the wild chaos and pure energy of the Fringe. It’s such a beautiful mess! thousands of shows squeezed together in one city, all craving to connect with people. Experiencing the Fringe as a performer is a whole different beast… this time, it’s my story on the stage. That’s terrifying and delicious all at once. Festivals remind me why I chose this life… looking forward to it!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Oh, so much. Since 2024 I’ve really felt how grief and rebirth can exist side by side. I am proudly a trans woman and I do all I can to create space, not just to survive, but to actually enjoy life. So I think I’ve learned to be more present? Yes, that’s a fact! Artistically, I learned that if you wait for ‘perfect’, you never do it. So I absorbed this: do it anyway, even when you feel unprepared, unpolished, unfinished. That’s the point — we are all unfinished.
Tell us about your show.
My show is called Delusional. It’s a one-woman contemporary circus piece that I co-created with the brilliant Firenza Guidi. We shaped it as I was transitioning, so the piece was built in real time… out of my lived moments, thoughts, fears, and triumphs. It’s produced by me and proudly presented by Quartier Libre, with Firenza’s guidance and a tight team who believe in raw, brave storytelling through circus. Delusional premiered and won Best of Fringe at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival in 2023 and was awarded Show of the Year at the Freiburger Leiter in 2025. We had a beautiful first run and now we want to take it further!! Edinburgh is our biggest leap yet, and after this we’re dreaming even bigger: more international stages, more festivals, and wherever people want to hold this story with us.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Oh I have to shout out Apocalipsync by Luciano Rosso.. an explosion of skill and charm that you won’t forget!! // Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett! // Lily Blumkin: Nice Try
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!
INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!
Get Your Coats On 