Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: Heroes

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“Heroes is a delve into the world of superheroes, celebrity culture and the everyday heroes around us.”

WHO: Jennifer Paterson: Co- Choreographer/Director

WHAT: “This playful new aerial show from All or Nothing and Room 2 Manoeuvre delves into the world of superheroes and beyond! In their quirky circus universe, two performers (and their miniature sidekicks) explore what it means to be a hero. The dynamic duo tackle the darker side of life in the spotlight and the pressures of being a role model with a never-ending list of enemies. Are we blinded by celebrity? Or are the ordinary people living extraordinary lives our true heroes? Families assemble – don’t miss this clever caper told through aerial dance theatre and contemporary circus.”

WHERE: Underbelly, George Square – Udderbelly (Venue 300) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We are based here so have been around the festivals for many years. And have been involved in all kinds of ways not just with All or Nothing but many other companies and events. This is the first time since 2011 that we have presented work, so its exciting to be doing this in our home town.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

The last year has been busy! We’ve toured Heroes across Scotland, flew through the trees all December at Archerfield for their Christmas Fairy Trail, performed on Princes Street for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and created an aerial spectacle for Paisley’s Halloween Festival involving flying witches on a 60tonne crane and 50 young people.
We’ve just finished an amazing project with National Theatre Scotland and performance maker Nic Green called Like Flying. Working with young people from 2 high schools, they learned aerial and theatre skills and created a promenade aerial theatre performance in their schools.

Tell us about your show.

Heroes is a delve into the world of superheroes, celebrity culture and the everyday heroes around us. It follows the journey of two characters as they explore what it means to be a hero. There is some talking and text, but much of the story is told through aerial – hoop and harness, dance, cyr wheel and partnering work. There’s lots of laughter, miniature sidekicks and a fantastic dynamic between the performers, and does have something for all ages, including some classic Hero tunes.

The show has been co-created and directed by myself and Tony Mills of Room 2 Manoeuvre, another Edinburgh based company. Part of wanting to create a show about Heroes was that we started talking about the fact that we all have people we look up to, and with the rise of the selfie and Instagram culture and the quick fame with a quick fall, what qualities did people aspire to. Or what did we think a hero was. What were the pros and cons of being in the spotlight? And who were our heroes?

The show is performed by Tony and dancer/aerialist Beverley Grant. We developed the show along with Bev, workshopping ideas, devising and creating. Last year we had a residency in Ireland at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre which allowed us to create the majority of the show. This was then performed as a work in progress at Braw Circus Festival in Glasgow in September 2018. Since then All or Nothing were successful in gaining funding from Creative Scotland to develop the show further and toured it to 17 venues around Scotland in Spring 2019.

After this we’ve got a few dates lined up for Scotland/ England in 2020 but looking to take it further afield and keep growing.

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

As well as taking recommendations from others, you cant have really done the fringe properly without just going and picking something random. It could be amazing or it could be something that you would never go back to. Here’s a wee selection of some shows to try and catch:

What Girls Are Made Of at Assembly Hall by Cora Bissett – a total joy and uplifting

Drop and Roll Tour with Danny MacAskill – amazing bike skills – and really humble talented guys

Fishamble at Dance Base – Pat Kinevane blows you away – he is a fantastic performer

CoisCeim at Dance Base – another fab Irish company

Curious Seed at Dance Base -Christine Devaney is a beautiful dancer

Venues such as Summerhall and the Underbelly Circus Hub

And at the EIF, lots of amazing talks and artists such as Neneh Cherry, Cas Public / Helene Blackburn, Shooglenifty, Trisha Brown Dance Company

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+3 Interview: Goodbear: Dougal

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“Our show is a narrative-driven, sketch comedy show.”

WHO: Henry and Joe: Writer / Performer

WHAT: “Critically acclaimed sketch duo Goodbear are back! Join Henry Perryment and Joe Barnes for their biggest show yet. Featuring Goodbear’s trademark combination of hilarious characters, extraordinary physical comedy and an original score, expect a show that is ‘very funny’ (Telegraph), ‘excellent’ (Guardian), ‘exceptional’ (AYoungerTheatre.com), ‘hilarious’ (EdFestMag.com), ‘incredible’ (List), ‘magnetic’ (Skinny) and ‘side-splittingly funny’ (ThreeWeeks). That is, if everything goes to plan… **** (Telegraph). ***** (AYoungerTheatre.com). ***** (EdFestMag.com). **** (Chortle.co.uk). **** (List). **** (Skinny). **** (VoiceMag.uk). **** (WeeReview). **** (EdfringeReview.com). **** (ThreeWeeks).”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – QueenDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 21:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is year four for Goodbear. We had a year off last year and didn’t know what to do with ourselves – we felt lost, vulnerable, weak and scared. Now we’re heading back up to Edinburgh and we feel lost, vulnerable, weak and scared.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

There are so many high profile achievements it’s hard to pick our top two (we’ve spent a lot of time in LA), but if we were pushed it would be Henry getting a part in a meerkat advert and Joe doing an advert dressed as a chicken…

Tell us about your show.

Our show is a narrative-driven, sketch comedy show. It’s accompanied by an original score written by Max Perryment and you’ll see some crazy characters (look out for the mad doctor – he’s mad). It was written by us and directed by our friend, mentor and doctor, George Chilcott (he’s mad).

The three of us all met at Leeds University (2:1, 2:1, 2;2*)

*We don’t feel at liberty to say who got the 2:2.

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

(George got the 2:2)

The Tattoo, there’s a lovely little pub called The Brass Monkey and, of course, the beer gardens around George Square are a delight.

In all seriousness, you’d be mad to miss the following: Ed MacArthur, Jack Barry, Annie McGrath, Giants, Janine Harouni, Roisin and Chiara, Ben Pope, Chris Bliss, Nicola Wren, Sunil Patel, Goose and Gabby Best.

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+3 Interview: Archie Maddocks: Big Dick Energy

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EdFringe has “gotten more expensive over the last few years for sure, this year is out of control and it needs to change otherwise I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to afford it.”

WHO: Archie Maddocks: Comedian 

WHAT: “Life’s getting a bit serious innit? Political instability, social politics making people less social – life now is guilt, followed by shame. However, what is life, if nothing but a distraction until you die? Archie Maddocks tackles the struggles of being alive in his latest hour of provocative, exhilarating and, crucially, hilarious comedy. ‘Superb timing and quick wit’ ***** (RadioHaHa.co.uk). Daily Mirror’s Funniest Jokes and Evening Standard’s Best Jokes of the Fringe 2018. ‘A real highlight of the evening’ (BBC Radio 4 Extra). ‘Super cool, super smart storyteller’ (Bruce Dessau, BeyondTheJoke.co.uk and Evening Standard).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Bottle Room (Venue 288) 

WHEN: 16:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my sixth year in a row (my 4th solo show) and honestly, I think it’s self-punishment at this point. Nah – because I enjoy making and bringing up a new show, which always pushed me forward as a comic, which has got to be the goal, right? It’s gotten more expensive over the last few years for sure, this year is out of control and it needs to change otherwise I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to afford it. Also, the dread and terror seems to grow bigger every year with the assumption that I’ve got nothing left to say – really looking forward to next year…

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Several TV writing jobs, playwriting jobs and Film jobs have come and gone – it’s been a fucking hectic year, which I’m very grateful for because it’s kept me eating my daily Nutella rations. I was also the BBC writer in Residence for radio, which was great. Ultimately, I’m now an incredible success (imagine if I was this arrogant) who deserves great things to happen at all times.

Tell us about your show.

I’m going through an existential crisis for the first time in my life now that things are going moderately well (ahhhh, how ironic, life is ok so let’s find something to make an issue) and I figured I’d just run with it. I’ve been thinking about the ideas of existence and reality and time and that they’re ultimately all personal interpretations of the world around us, thus rendering all of it fake due to a lack of harmonious shared experience beyond what we say to each other. And yes, I have a director (Sophia Charalambous, hire her, she’s great)- she does all my shows and basically has to tell me to stop being a dick most of the time.

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

My show again. And then Mark Silcox. And something terrible that you think you’ll hate. And something that looks awful. And then me again.

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+3 Interview: Hardeep Singh Kohli: It’s Hard to Be Deep

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“I premier at the Fringe and then we will tour in the spring of 2020.”

WHO: Hardeep Singh Kohli: Writer/ Performer

WHAT: “Identity politics. Right-wing nationalism. Climate Change. Brexit. Ronan Keating’s solo career. There isn’t much philosophy going on. Following his Celebrity Big Brother house “vacation”, the host of BBC Radio 4’s Sketchtopia embarks on one man’s mission to find a philosophy that explains and engages the malaise of modernity. Where are the prophets? The visionaries? The rest of Boyzone? Regular on BBC1’s Question Time and This Week. ‘Immensely funny’ (Daily Express). ‘Consistently thought provoking’ **** (VoiceMag.uk). Something quite special… inbetween the laughter are stories of genuine power’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Three (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 17:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my eleventh year at the Fringe. I never imagined I’d do one show let alone find myself entering my second decade. It’s the highlight of my year.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Well, there was that TV show called Celebrity Big Brother….

Tell us about your show.

My show is produced by Broken Robot and So Comedy. I write it. I have the most amazing team working with me. Miranda, who used to tech my show now looks after me day to day. The Big Bow Wow aka Benjy is my tech but also a crucial member of the on-stage experience. I premier at the Fringe and then we will tour in the spring of 2020.

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

I am incredibly biased (and proud and excited) about my wee Brother’s Fringe debut with his stage version of the much-loved Radio 4 sitcom, “Fags Bags and Mags”. It’s such a great idea and I’ve been badgering him for years to play Edinburgh. Of course, the Fringe gods have scheduled us against each other!

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+3 Interview: Losing My Mindfulness

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I’ve had the chance to figure out the kinks, and hopefully avoid being upstaged by a whippet in the audience loudly drinking water during my emotional breakdown, but we’ll see!”

WHO: Katie McLeod: Performer, Writer, err terrible producer…

WHAT: “Do you want to feel calmer, more focused and relaxed? Imagine a life where daily stress just floats by like a cloud in the sky, not a rain cloud, a nice one, a fluffy one. Yeah, do you want that? You know you do, don’t you? Join me at my mindfulness workshop where we can leave our baggage behind and be in the moment, even if that moment is not quite what you thought it would be, cos hey, what is?! Sometimes that moment is f*cking terrible. I’m joking. See, mindfulness can be fun. Fun and calm.”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire – Cinema Room (Venue 338) 

WHEN: 18:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I bought the show last year. I’ve had the chance to figure out the kinks, and hopefully avoid being upstaged by a whippet in the audience loudly drinking water during my emotional breakdown, but we’ll see!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Great audience feedback has really kept the show going, as its inspired by true events people really connect with the issues, a lot of the time the audience want to hug me, which is fine too.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show and perform in it.

It’s about a woman, Serena, who runs a Mindfulness workshop whilst everything in her life falls apart. My ten-year relationship ended very suddenly, I was confused and heartbroken, my fiancé disappeared psychologically, emotionally and physically.

As a practical person I wanted to really examine what had happened and I started to look into Narcissism. I realised that I had been a victim of emotional abuse, a complex and nuanced form of control.

I wanted to write something for the friends and family of emotional abuse survivors so they see what it really looks like. In terms of the future, I would love to have a London run and I am in the process of turning it into a radio play.

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

Janey Godley, the best stand up I have ever seen. Last year I was laughing so much I was crying, and this was before the show even started as the audience came in. She is so natural and SO funny! Her stories about her childhood and her marriage are hilarious I cant recommend her enough.

Theatre Re are a physical theatre company, I saw ‘The Nature of Forgetting’ a few years back and it was PHENOMENAL so intricate, beautiful and meaningful. I’m really excited to see this show.

Anything at the Traverse!

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+3 Interview: Love is a Work in Progress with Tara Rankine

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

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” The show is all true stories from my life so is raw and honest and vulnerable while also being very ridiculous with Rockstars and feathers and cream pies and blow up props all interspersed with original songs.”

WHO: Tara Rankine: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “**** (Advertiser). ‘Tender, raunchy, uplifting, hilariously funny’ **** (GLAMAdelaide.com). ‘Experience tender moments alongside the hilarity’ **** (TheatreWeekly.com). Adelaide Fringe Weekly Cabaret Award winner Tara Rankine is raw, honest and laugh-out-loud funny. She takes you on a ridiculous yet poignant storytelling ride through past love, sex and relationships, fuelled by heartfelt soul singing, real-life embarrassments and the sensuality and pain of being human. Original songs and the most vulnerable and hilarious love stories, this endearing mess invites you to a party in her heart.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Charteris Centre – Just the Sanctum (Venue 393) 

WHEN: 20:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

First time performing in Edinburgh yes (exciting!). I worked FOH in Edinburgh back in 2016 which is when I got inspired to write my own one-woman show after seeing so many incredible female-led shows that made me laugh and cry and everything in-between.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I toured my one woman show to Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals in Feb-April this year and won an award (The Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for best Cabaret) which I guess is pretty big.

Tell us about your show.

The show is a one-woman comedy cabaret show about love, sex, relationships and heartbreak, written and performed by me with music and lyrics written by the amazing Maddie Thiele, directed by Helen Broughton with dramaturgical help from Sheri Sadd, guitar and ukulele played by Lolsy Byrne and produced by Lisa-Skye Goodes. So an all-female and non-binary team which I’m super chuffed about! The show is all true stories from my life so is raw and honest and vulnerable while also being very ridiculous with Rockstars and feathers and cream pies and blow up props all interspersed with original songs.

I was inspired to write the show after working at the fringe in 2016 where I managed to see 50 shows and was so moved and inspired I decided it was time for me to take the plunge and create my own show. So I wrote it throughout 2017, developed it in London in 2018 with a mini-season at The Space in October and then more development before taking it to The Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival earlier this year. I am hoping it might get picked up for a tour somewhere and I also want to take it to some festivals I’ve not been to before

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

Lolsy Byrne: Sweet Enough – because she’s gorgeously funny and talented and Irish, also doing her own one woman comedy cabaret show also and she is the guitar and ukulele player for my show!

Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove – the best absurd comedy you with see. Won the Golden Gibbo in MICF this year and will make you scream laugh. I am always in pain laughing when I see Josh

Two Little Dickheads – adorably stupid and silly and ridiculous. Two clowns dicking around on stage who glow with joy and are instantly loveable and oh so very silly!

After You – beautiful, touching, heartwarming and affirming. Real mother and daughter performing on stage and their story is special and made me laugh and cry in equal measure.

Leo Mohr: When I Was Zorro – because he is a fabulous clown and very silly and absurd and absolutely nails awkward humour!

Take a punt on some shows you know nothing about that someone gives you a flyer for – you might find your next favourite performers!

Lolsy Byrne: Sweet Enough – because she’s gorgeously funny and talented and Irish, also doing her own one-woman comedy cabaret show also and she is the guitar and ukulele player for my show!

Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove – the best absurd comedy you with see. Won the Golden Gibbo in MICF this year and will make you scream laugh. I am always in pain laughing when I see Josh

Two Little Dickheads – adorably stupid and silly and ridiculous. Two clowns dicking around on stage who glow with joy and are instantly loveable and oh so very silly!

After You – beautiful, touching, heartwarming and affirming. Real mother and daughter performing on stage and their story is special and made me laugh and cry in equal measure.

Leo Mohr: When I Was Zorro – because he is a fabulous clown and very silly and absurd and absolutely nails awkward humour!

Take a punt on some shows you know nothing about that someone gives you a flyer for – you might find your next favourite performers!

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+3 Interview: Yukon Ho! (Tall Tales from the Great White North)

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“Marie Kondo’d my life and now can’t find anything in my house.”

WHO: Jennifer Irons: Writer and Performer

WHAT: “Comic dance-theatre conceived and performed by Yukon born ‘Intrepid’ Jen. This is the story of Jen’s life and survival in the remote wilds of the Yukon Territory, Northern Canada… and her ultimate escape. A boisterously laugh-out-loud, cabaret-style survival guide to an unbelievably mad life in the frozen north, home to the coldest temperature ever recorded in North America, where tossing chainsaws is entertainment. Dark, fearless, original and bizarre, you’ll laugh, holler, quaff very questionable cocktails and learn to be Bear Aware. And it’s all (mostly) true… **** (List).”

WHERE: Summerhall – Bruford at Summerhall (Venue 26) 

WHEN: Varies (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope! I love this town!

I did a trial-by-fire-1-night-only work in progress last year at ZOO and the next day I directed 350 local dancers in Akram Khan Company’s Kadamati at EIF in front of the Palace of Holyrood House.

Prior to that – many, many fluid evenings as audience at Fringe and some select and QUAL-ity club nights out in my more youthful years. Shout out to the Paradise Palms who I Shazam the shit out of every time I’m there! (@edinburghpalms)

I once ‘bumped’ into Prince Charles getting out of his helicopter at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat. Much to my mother’s chagrin, who was at that exact moment was at the castle looking for him…

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I got a new SWEET new plaid shirt from home. Marie Kondo’d my life and now can’t find anything in my house. I survived a suspected heart attack… which turned out to just be a trapped nerve and then panic attack.

I directed 750 dancers in Kadamati in Paris in front of the Hotel de Ville. But the biggest thing has been turning Yukon Ho! into a full-length international production with an amazing team. I did Jill Edwards’ Stand up comedy weekender and discovered I had to actually WRITE jokes?! Who knew?

Tell us about your show.

After directing mass movement shows for the past few years, I jokingly said my next show was going to be a solo. Secretly I thought it would be easier to just manage myself… Ha. Ha! Ha.

The show was originally commissioned by DanceWest and written by myself and my long-time collaborator and partner in crime, Robert Churchill. This year, we’ve expanded the team to include Sophie Powell (Long Nose Puppets) who’s also directing. Christian From (currently Associate Movement director on Rusalka at Glyndebourne Opera and has played Aslan the Lion in more productions than is really necessary) is on movement direction, Stewart Baxter (from the band LIFE) on music. Bryony Kimmings mentoring. Annie Brooks on design. Zoe Faye Kellet on prosthetics. The team have all become honorary Yukoners now. I’d venture most of them can build a fire like Ray Mears and definitely put up a tent at Glastonbury in record time. (Note, I say Ray Mears because obvs he would kick Bear Grylls ass and then serve up a delicious brunch.) Big thanks to Brighton Youth Centre, South East Dance, and Dance House Worthing for supporting us.

We’re doing artsdepot in London in November. Then definitely world domination, one backwater tent town at a time… If you’ve got a spare air mattress, we make very polite house guests… and cook a mean brunch.

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

Loving Witchunt by A&E Comedy. Smashing the patriarchy using magic and witchcraft. It’s damned funny and smart. They did Enter the Dragons last year so know full well how to smack the Fringe pony.  Also into the Roaring Girls. Feminist, Funny doing Beach Body Ready. And they’re from Hull so it should be ace. Black Holes by Seke Chimutenguende and Alexandrina Hemsley – intelligent and sharp. Amy Bell’s – The Forecast. Next level brilliant. I’m a Phoenix, Bitch by Bryony Kimmings. It’s a heavy one – but excellently crafted and worth it. Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco. For the most legal fun I’ve ever seen on a street corner.

Ones I’m looking forward to catching:

  • Your Sexts are shit: Older Better Letters by Rachel Mars, because Sexts generally ARE shit! Why hasn’t anyone done anything about it?!
  • Honey Bee by Ellie Dillon Reams – Genuine, lovely. I’ve seen some work in progress and she’s got a fabulous talent for words.
  • Rock What you Got by House of Jack for some dance battle awesomeness.
    Scored in Silence by the cerebral and gorgeous Chisato Minamimura. Juliet and Romeo by Lost Dog. Everything they do is clever, funny, touching.
  • And will get my circus on with Kid X by the grand Bassline Circus and MHz, and Feral.
  • Isiqalo – The Beginning by Champions – LOVE that mix of traditional and contemporary South African music and dance. Sorry Harriet Tubman – Phoebe Robinson. Who doesn’t yet love 2 Dope Queens?
  • Hazy Little Thing Called Love: Paul Sinha. A quiz geek + Task Master favourite. How can you go wrong?
    Scottee: Class. OBVS.
  • Kurl up and Dye – NUTS Theatre. Anything with Yorkshire beauticians, waxing and a nod to Earth Girls are Easy — I’m into.
  • Crystal Rasmussen Presents – The Bible 2 (Plus a cure for shame, violence, betrayal and athlete’s foot) Live! – because HELL YEAH?!

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+3 Interview: Richard Stott: Right Hand Man

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“See three things a day: Something you know you’ll like: Something you think you’ll hate: Something completely chosen at random – That’s a sure-fire way to do the Fringe.”

WHO: Richard Stott: Comedian

WHAT: “A debut show from a comedian who was born with Poland Syndrome making him lopsided with a misshapen hand. Following life-changing surgery, he has toes for fingers on his left hand and in this unflinchingly honest show, he examines body image, mental health and being disabled in an image-obsessed world. An hour of anarchic storytelling and acidic punchlines exploring how he has learnt to roll with the hand life dealt him and draw humour from what we are told is humourless. ‘Heart-wrenchingly moving and unquestionably funny… I defy anyone not to be enthralled’ (Evening Standard).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 12:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is not my first rodeo. I have appeared at the fringe once before in 2017 with my first show Wretched – A Thing of Poor Quality.

The show went well and was enjoyed but that was my first time trying stand-up. So I took 2018 off the fringe to focus on getting better at my craft. I think I’m returning a lot stronger.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I really focussed on gigging and writing in 2018 and it paid off with me getting a great review in the Evening Standard.

To coolest thing last year was bringing my show back home as I was booked by Hull Truck Theatre. What followed was a euphoric homecoming to a packed audience. That was the night I knew I was getting something right.

Tell us about your show.

The show is having its full premiere at Edinburgh, it’s also my debut hour. The show is written by me as I draw on autobiographical stories to jump into present-day social commentary.

The show is a comedy which focuses on disability and mental health, two awkward subjects that I think we could do with laughing about a bit more. It’s anarchic storytelling with acidic punchlines and a lot of heart.

My agent Andrew Roach has been a tremendous help in terms of getting me surrounded by the right people. I’m working closely with Rob Deering who is directing and Martin Jameson who looking at the overall arch of the script.

After Edinburgh, I’d love to turn this into a tour of the UK.

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

Here are my top recommendations
Karen Hobbs in Pussies
Rob Deering’s Beat That
Sam Lake – Household Essentials
Georgie Morrell – Eyecon

But this is a fun game to play. See three things a day
– Something you know you’ll like
– Something you think you’ll hate
– Something completely chosen at random

That’s a sure-fire way to do the Fringe.

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+3 Interview: Juliette Burton: Defined

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I also moved to Edinburgh (cos I couldn’t get enough of that place) in 2012 and lived there for 4 years. So if you need recommendations for bars and restaurants – I’m your girl.”

WHO: Juliette Burton: writer/performer/creator/comedian/edfringe addict

WHAT: “Award-winning comedian Juliette is full of contradictions: pessimistic optimist? Introverted extrovert? Successful failure? Masculine or feminine? Happy or sad? Mentally ill or healthy? Why must we choose one or the other? After a year of huge change, Juliette had to redefine her life, labels and herself. Everything she thought was steadfast has vanished. Can she be everything at once? Or must we choose how we are defined? Sold out 2015/16/17/18. ‘Burton drips with charm – joyous’ (Times). ‘Burton shows the world it’s cool to be kind’ ***** (Sunday Mail). ***** (Daily Mirror). ***** (EdFestMag.com).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsmans (Venue 149) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Hahaha! Oh Lord no… My first Edinburgh Fringe VISIT was in 2005 and I fell head over heels for the city and the festival and never looked back. Started performing in other people’s shows in 2006, then in a co-written show in 2011/12, then my first ever solo show was in 2013. I’ve performed solo shows every year since 2013 and sold out my runs in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. I also moved to Edinburgh (cos I couldn’t get enough of that place) in 2012 and lived there for 4 years. So if you need recommendations for bars and restaurants – I’m your girl.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Ooh, let’s think… Professionally: I embarked on my first national tour of my award-winning sell out Edfringe show ‘Butterfly Effect’ and had a total blast. I think I’m in love with touring now. Personally: fun story – my fiancé and I broke up, he moved out, I moved out, I downsized and relocated and started to question how I defined myself now I was no longer “engaged”… It’s all in my show this year – questioning the boxes we force ourselves into and the labels we use to find our tribes. So come join me in my show ‘Defined’.

Tell us about your show.

‘Juliette Burton: Defined’ is about how we define ourselves; the labels we use, the boxes we tick, the either/or choices we make. Optimist or pessimist? Introvert or extrovert? Happy or sad? Is life a series of either/or choices? Or can we be everything all at once?

It’s a true comedy about what happened during a year of huge change for me, when everything I thought was steadfast vanished and I was forced to redefine who I am and how I label myself. It’s the funniest show I’ve ever created and the one I’ve had the MOST fun performing. I’m so excited to see how audiences respond because so far I’ve been having the best time previewing it.

I came up with the idea in 2018, actually following seeing SpongeBob Squarepants The Musical in New York and watching a TED Talk by the creator about an episode called Idiot Box. Search for it online and watch – it’s brilliant and she’s brilliant. I started writing the show partially whilst on tour in autumn 2018, then a lot over December 2018, then bringing it all together in March and April, tearing it apart in May, rewriting it in June, and refining it constantly throughout July.

I’m hoping to take this show on another tour in Spring 2020 but for now the only place you can see it for certain is Edinburgh Fringe 2019 and since we sold out in Edinburgh for the last 4 years in a row it’s worth booking tickets now…

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

As many shows as you can. I’d personally recommend Bec Hill – whose show I saw last year and it’s the best she’s ever done. If it doesn’t win awards I’ll be shocked. Georgie Morrell is a phenomenal stand up and her sass will blow you away. Sooz Kempner is ridiculously talented, going to be huge and is on at a free fringe venue. Also Tarot (aka Geins Family Giftshop) is highly recommended, Austentatious is always a sure-fire hit, the immensely talented Kiri Pritchard Mclean has a work in progress show for a short run, and Laura Lexx will without a doubt delight you for her hour.

Take a chance and see stuff you’d not normally see. I mean, I love watching circus acts at the Fringe because I can just sit back relax and enjoy knowing that I’d never be able to master that craft. I can switch off my comedian’s mind for a while!

But beyond shows, see Edinburgh. See the city. It’s the most amazing place with incredible architecture and history and landscapes and folklore and bars and people… I adore it so make the most of the whole of Edinburgh as well as the festival

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+3 Interview: Tom Taylor: Is the Indie Feel-Good Hit of the Summer

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“…this hour has been pretty all-consuming and it’s certainly the hardest I’ve worked on something since I built a shed for my A-level art exam (it was a very conceptual piece).”

WHO: Tom Taylor: Comedian

WHAT: “From the maker of sell-out Fringe hit: The Charlie Montague Mysteries; tour support for Ed Sheeran’s tour support, Tom Taylor, stars in his debut stand-up show packed full of jokes, songs and silliness. As heard on BBC Radio 4. Musical Comedy Awards Audience Favourite winner. English Comedian of the Year and So You Think You’re Funny? finalist. Other tour support for Simon Munnery, John Kearns and Abandoman. ‘Excellent… beautifully daft’ (Sunday Times). ‘An absolute delight’ **** (Skinny). ‘Gloriously silly’ **** (Stage). ‘Astoundingly funny’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘A masterpiece’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes and no (mainly no). I first came to the Fringe in 2013 sharing an hour of stand-up with some friends (including Fern Brady and Glenn Moore who I believe are still knocking about). Then I wrote and performed two one-man murder mysteries in 2016 and 2017 which were a lot of fun and something I’d definitely like to do again. This year is my first time bringing up an hour of stand-up so, although I’ve got a few Edinburghs under my belt, I still have the first-time nerves!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I have written a show! That sounds insincere but putting together this hour has been pretty all-consuming and it’s certainly the hardest I’ve worked on something since I built a shed for my A-level art exam (it was a very conceptual piece). I also got to perform stand-up internationally for the first time. I went to Bucharest in November and discovered they don’t play golf in Romania so that routine fell very flat. It’s all a learning curve.

Tell us about your show.

My show is a collection of jokes and songs with a bit of silliness thrown in. There are no great themes or an overarching story I just want people to come and laugh for an hour. It’s all material I’ve honed at comedy clubs up and down the country as part of my job (stand-up comedian) so I’d like to think the jokes are good otherwise I would be out of work. Feel-good is the keyword in the title. I want people to leave feeling good.

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

Jen Brister and Lou Sanders delivered my two favourite stand-up shows at last year’s Festival and they’re both back with new hours this year so I’ll definitely be checking them out and I would recommend others to do the same. They’re both at Monkey Barrel which has loads of great stuff going on, deffo checkout everything they have to offer.

Another favourite from last year was The Ladder, a very funny theatrical two-hander from husband and wife Rob Rouse and Helen Rutter. They’re back again this year with Funny in Real Life which looks at the effect confessional comedy can have on a relationship. It’s a great concept and I can’t wait to see it!

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