EdFringe Talk: Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“I’ve become much clearer about what brings me joy and what doesn’t.”

WHO: Jess Robinson

WHAT: “Elton John’s greatest hits are reimagined by multi award-winning Jess Robinson (Dead Ringers, The Last Leg), renowned for her pitch-perfect impressions. Celebrating Elton through the voices of iconic women: Britney, Barbra, Amy, and more, Jess returns for her 10th Fringe with her ‘dazzling vocals and wickedly sharp impressions’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ***** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ***** (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). ***** (StageDoorJoe.co.uk). ***** (Edinburgh Evening News). **** (List). **** (Fest). **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘It’s like a mega concert with all your favourite stars’ (ITV1). ‘Naturally funny, pitch perfect’ (Telegraph).”

WHERE: Piccolo Tent at Assembly George Square Gardens (Venue 3) 

WHEN: 19:15 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Definitely not! I’ve been coming to Edinburgh for years and I still get that first-day excitement when I arrive. In fact – this is my TENTH YEAR!!

What I love about the Fringe is that anything can happen. You can go and see a big-name act one minute, then wander into a tiny room and discover your new favourite performer the next. As someone who’s spent years both on stage and in the audience, that’s the magic of it for me. . . And the late night shenanigans.

Also, where else would it be perfectly normal to see someone dressed as a Sir Elton Scone, Bob Ross and Margaret Thatcher chatting by some make shift shed dressing rooms?

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest lesson has probably been that success and fulfilment aren’t always the same thing.

This year I released my book, Life Is Rosi, (published by HarperCollins), which was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. It forced me to stop hiding behind characters and impressions and trust that my own voice was enough. That sounds obvious, but it’s taken me a surprisingly long time to learn!!

I’ve also become much clearer about what brings me joy and what doesn’t. I love connecting with people, telling stories, hosting events, speaking, singing and making audiences feel something. I’m less interested these days in chasing approval from people whose opinions don’t actually matter to me.

Have I actually absorbed the lessons yet? Ask me again next year! I’m definitely a work in progress. But I think I’m getting better at recognising that the things that make me happiest are usually the things that make me most myself – which is a weird sentence for an impressionist.

Tell us about your show.

Elton Reimagined started with a very simple question: what if some of the greatest female artists of all time got their hands on Elton John’s songbook?

So over the course of an hour, Elton’s music is reimagined by one woman (me), 35 divas – (also me) including everyone from Kate Bush and Britney Spears to Adele, Raye, Billie Eilish and Barbra Streisand. It’s part concert, part comedy, part love letter.

I wrote it because I’m a huge Elton fan and because I love finding new ways into familiar songs. The show is co-produced by former Assembly programmer Heather Ruck and me, with musical direction from Matthew Floyd Jones.

It premiered last year and has grown and changed with every performance. After Edinburgh? I’ll keep sharing it with audiences wherever they’ll have us.

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

I’m really looking forward to The Bob Ross Effect by Sarah-Louise Young. Sarah-Louise always creates thoughtful, playful, original work and this one sounds like a lovely celebration of creativity, kindness and happy little accidents.

Katie Pritchard’s Sir Elton Scone is also high on my list. Katie has a brilliantly chaotic comic brain and anyone making a show that combines Elton John and baked goods has my full support.

I’ll always recommend Elf Lyons. She’s one of the most inventive performers I’ve ever seen.

And Rosie Holt is great for smart, sharp, satire.

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