EdFringe Talk: Broke and Fabulous in the 21st Century

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“Be brave, trust your gut, everytime you overcome something big or small it’s like fuel to the creative fire.”

WHO: Dale Robertson

WHAT: “Broke and Fabulous in the 21st Century is an unabashed dramedy about two fabulous best friends, Alex and Petunia, chasing their dreams and navigating love in their chaotic 30s. This millennial love letter is a riotous ode to friendship, ambition and the ridiculousness of modern love. So come grab a drink, darlings! and let us split your sides with this honestly raucous, raunchy play, proving that even broke and frazzled you can always be fabulous…”

WHERE: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House (Venue 24 

WHEN: 14:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my second time to Edinburgh Fringe. However Going back up this time everything is completely different. This is the first stage play I’ve written and the first show for our company Beacon & Tide Productions. It’s also the first I’ve directed here in the UK and from being selected by Gilded Balloon, Having the wonderful support of CNC PR and bringing up a show that is completely ours, with everything learned from the first fringe, it really feels like a whole new exciting ball game.

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

Wow. This is a big question haha there are too many lessons to list but importantly; be brave, trust your gut, everytime you overcome something big or small it’s like fuel to the creative fire and encourages you to push even further. Also as a director & producer your team is paramount, not only their skills and talents but their well being and fulfillment in the project too. Strong teams = A strong show.

Tell us about your show.

As mentioned earlier, this is the first stage play I’ve written and it came about because I had six months left on my visa, I was advised that if I wanted to qualify for my Global Talent visa, I would have to garner more press from one more production, or face a very unceremonial deportation back to Australia, after nearly six years of fighting to stay in the UK.

I knew the space I was writing for, who would be in the audience and if this wasn’t going to be my debut to London it was going to be my swan song and I at least wanted those I loved in the audience to see a bit of our story lovingly expressed on stage, in the very wild and wonderful dramatisation of the stories and characters that bind us together and that I love so much.

Writing started September 10th, 2025, by October cast and crew were locked in and commenced R&D, we rehearsed evenings through November and opened on the 2nd of December at the Etcetra Theatre in Camden, and for a week played to sell out audiences, personally it was actually insane, not just the recpetion from the audiences but how lucky I was to have found such a great first cast & crew. I was exhausted but felt so proud for what we achieved in such a short amount of time.

Before I even knew I had my visa, spear-headed by our wonderful Olive McHugh we made the first selection for Edinburgh Fringe with The Gilded Balloon and we were out the gate once again. Once my visa was confirmed, not only was there a huge weight lifted but any professional restrictions imposed by the former Skilled work visa evaporated. I started the fledgling company Beacon & Tide Productions to take Broke & Fabulous in the 21st Century to Edinburgh which in itself has been humbling and a massive learning experience. I’m beyond excited to now have the chance to showcase Broke & Fabulous in the 21st Century at this years fringe and for another Edinburgh adventure with the most amazing cast & crew.

This play was always meant as a love letter to London and hopefully after our efforts in Scotland we can bring it home to a London stage bigger and better than ever.

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

Okay so I’m lucky to have quite a few friends coming to this years fringe, Olivia Woods is the director, I did my first fringe with in 2024, she’s wonderful and has a show called Persona At the Space, I’m so excited to see my darling New York home girl and absolute powerhouse Ella Loudon is in Women of Will at Summer Hall, also I’m so happy for Fraser Kelsey and can’t wait to see his Desperate Wee Gay Boy at the Underbelly.

For the shows I’m eager to see minus the personal connection, as a true crime fan very excited to See Amanda Knox: Cartwheel starring herself at Gilded Balloon Tevoit, Francesca Moody’s Roleplay at Summer Hall seems a total riot, must see, and Larry Dean’s Hellbent at the Pleasence Court Yard because he’s hilarious and I find him weirdly adorable.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!