EdFringe Talk: The Van Gogh Shogh

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“I’ve been developing and touring my show for a couple of years now, but really only in the last six or so months have I felt like it’s really arrived where I’ve wanted it to be.”

WHO: Donna Oblongata

WHAT: “It’s a sip and paint. It’s Sotheby’s. It’s karaoke night. Strap in, because whatever it is, Van Gogh is back and he has a side hustle. This is the real Van Gogh Immersive Experience. Emphasis on immersive. Donna Oblongata (Leeway Transformation Award, Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Award) is ‘brimming with compassion and monstrously funny’ (PlayOnMKE.com). She has sold out theatres in NYC and LA and performed internationally in Slava’s Snowshow. ‘A delightfully unhinged gem of fringe theatre’ ***** (ShinyLife.co.uk). ‘An uproariously good time… side-splittingly funny’ **** (AdventuresInTheatreland.com). ‘Inspired lunacy’ (TalkinBroadway.com).”

WHERE: Front Room at Assembly @ St Andrew Square (Venue 172) 

WHEN: 18:25 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not! I attended last year for the first time and was blown away by the number of amazing shows I got to see and how many artists I got to connect with from all around the world. Edinburgh Fringe is truly unlike any other festival in the world– simply for the scale of it. There’s nowhere else you can see this diversity of performance in such a tightly packed time and place. It’s exhausting and dizzying, but so incredibly special.

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

Hahaha. Yes, there’s certainly a difference between learning things and actually absorbing the lessons, isn’t there? I’ve been developing and touring my show for a couple of years now, but really only in the last six or so months have I felt like it’s really arrived where I’ve wanted it to be. I think that’s one of the biggest lessons with theater and performance, is just how much time it can take to really hone something, and that it’s really worth sticking with a project long enough to see it become what you want it to be.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it and I perform it, but I developed it in close collaboration with my amazing director, Francesca Montanile-Lyons, who really gets credit for some of the show’s best jokes. I have two producers I’m working with in Edinburgh– Jess Ducey of Duces Wild Arts, based in New York, and Barra Cohen, who has been a key supporter of my work since the beginning. I am thrilled to have them both with me on this, and look forward to where we’ll go next. Honestly, because I’m not a fan of winter, I’m definitely looking toward Australia and New Zealand for some sunshine in early 2027.

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

I cannot wait to see “Don’t Kill Daisy” by Soleil Kohl. She’s incredible. Also, “Gulp” by Prith Khalsa looks so good. “Be Good: with Paulette” is one of my favorite things ever. I’ve been hearing amazing things about “Bitch Eat Dog” which is exciting, because I love puppetry and actually had a hard time finding much of it at last year’s Fringe. I’m totally obsessed with “The Most Toast” but I’m pretty sure they’re only doing one performance this year. Also cannot wait to see “Emoji: The Hieroglyphics of Our Time” which looks completely delightful.

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