“We’ve already had our first proper Edinburgh experience and we hadn’t even arrived yet. We were scammed out of our accommodation by someone pretending to own a flat.”
WHO: Matt Baram & Naomi Snieckus
WHAT: “Acclaimed Canadian Second City comedy duo, Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, directed by genius collaborator Kat Sandler, bring their signature mix of storytelling and improvisation to Big Stuff – a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of the stuff we leave behind. This fast-paced two-hander unpacks the emotional and absurd aspects of loss – from basement clutter to memories that linger. With quick wit and sharp chemistry, Baram and Snieckus turn life’s big questions into big laughs. ‘One of those pieces of theatre you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life’ (Globe and Mail).”
WHERE: Roxyboxy at Assembly Roxy (Venue 139)
WHEN: 14:55 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Matt:
Yes! It really is our first Edinburgh Fringe, which feels a little surreal because it’s been a dream for a very long time. We spent years creating improvised theatre, so we never really had a show that felt like it could travel in this way. Big Stuff became the first piece where we thought, “This is the one. This could connect with audiences anywhere.”
Naomi:
Yes, it’s good to have dreams realized. Now I can focus on meeting Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Batman. (Not in that order.) We absolutely love festivals. We’ve performed at improv festivals all over the world, and they always leave us with new friends, new collaborators, and usually a few future houseguests. So the idea of finally bringing our own theatrical work to Edinburgh feels incredibly exciting.
Matt:
I also grew up in Edmonton, which has one of North America’s great Fringe festivals. Some of my very first shows were there, so Fringe has always felt like home to me. Edinburgh is obviously the original inspiration for all of that, so finally making it here feels like completing a circle.
Naomi:
Fun fact. I actually thought we were going to the Edmonton Fringe (the spelling is so close), so I need to change some flights. We’re also discovering just how much work goes into producing a Fringe show. We’ve spent the better part of a year preparing, and we’ve been lucky enough to work alongside an incredible producing team who have taught us so much about everything that happens behind the scenes.
Matt:
We’ve already had our first proper Edinburgh experience and we hadn’t even arrived yet. We were scammed out of our accommodation by someone pretending to own a flat.
Naomi:
Yes, we’ve arrived! The good news is it happened early. It’s nice to get your Edinburgh scam out of the way before the festival starts.
Matt:
Exactly. We’ve already checked that box.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Naomi:
Have a great team. You can survive almost anything if you’re surrounded by smart, talented people who genuinely care about the work. If you’re surrounded by people that don’t know how to make an omelette, you just get a bunch of broken eggs.
Matt:
Making theatre at this scale is impossible to do alone. This past year has reminded us that collaboration isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Naomi:
And we’ve learned that no matter how much planning you do, the moment you arrive everything changes. You have to stay flexible and trust the people around you. We don’t know what we don’t know, but we know that we don’t know a bunch of things that we don’t know.
Matt:
No one says that.
Tell us about your show.
Matt:
Big Stuff was written by Naomi Snieckus and me, and co-created and directed by Kat Sandler. We perform it together as heightened versions of ourselves, exploring grief, family, and the surprising emotional lives of the objects we inherit.
Naomi:
We produced the original Canadian production ourselves through our company, Baram & Snieckus Productions. It premiered in Toronto to extended sold out houses before touring across Canada to sold-out audiences, and now we’re thrilled to be partnering with the wonderful team at WeeBox Productions to bring it to the UK.
Matt:
We actually met the WeeBox team after presenting the show in New York. We immediately connected with them and couldn’t imagine better partners for this next chapter.
Naomi:
After Edinburgh, we’ll be returning to Canada for more performances, including Vancouver, and we’re excited to keep finding new audiences for the show wherever it goes next. Ideally, London and New York.
Do you know what makes a great Fringe festival?
Matt:
Caffeine?
Naomi:
Good people. Good shows. Coffee. Is there a set location for “napping” at the festival? Apparently parties that start at two in the morning.
Matt:
I will let you go to those.
Naomi:
No, you’re coming with me. I’m going to sneak caffeine patches onto your body. That’s all there is to it. You have to change your sleeping patterns and your eating patterns.
Matt:
I just got a new hip.
Naomi:
Exactly. Your hip needs to take a spin around town. You’ve got to show your hip a good time.
Matt:
My hip might want to stay up until five in the morning, but the rest of me is going to want to go beddy-bye.
Naomi:
Then you and your hip and I are going to have a blast!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Naomi:
One of the great joys of Edinburgh is wandering into a show knowing absolutely nothing about it and walking out having discovered your new favourite artist. We definitely want to leave room for a few happy accidents.
That said, there are already quite a few shows we’re excited about. We’re looking forward to Shotgunned at Assembly George Square, Live From The Afterlife and Big Hair: A Rad and Wild Love Affair at Assembly, Broadguess at Greenside, and Mayflies at Brown’s of Leith.
Matt:
I’m also hoping to catch Alex Edelman: What Are You Going to Do at Pleasance Courtyard (Cabaret Bar) and Nina’s C*nti Cabaret* with Nina Conti at Underbelly Bristo Square. We’ve admired both of them for years.
Naomi:
I’m really looking forward to Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody at Gilded Balloon Patter House, MONK SHOW at Pleasance Courtyard (The Attic), and whatever wonderfully unhinged thing Michael Rubinfeld is bringing this year. His venue is still to be confirmed.
Matt:
Plus we share the theatre with folks like Diary of a Mad Man and Bear Girl—those look great!
Honestly, though, the best recommendation is to take a chance on something you’ve never heard of. That’s the magic of Fringe.
Naomi:
I hear there’s a show called Lady and His New Hip.
Matt:
Really?
Naomi:
I’m writing it right now, actually!
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