Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: Micky Overman Presents: Presenting Miss Micky Overman

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

“Five years ago I didn’t even know this festival existed, and now I can say I wrote two shows worth of jokes. I’m pretty proud of that.”

WHO: Micky Overman: Performer

WHAT: “This brand-spanking-new hour by the 2018 Chortle Best Newcomer nominee finally answers the question no one is dying to have answered: ‘where is she from?!’. It also covers: the value of friendship, the power of perception, the importance of agency and how to deal with terminally ill toys. Come watch as she takes you on a journey through the jungle of silly boys/creeps of her past, and watch her make a complete fool of herself as she celebrates her roots. ‘A pin-sharp torrent of precision gags and delightfully silly one-liners’ (Observer).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 21:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time performing at the festival, and my second solo show. It’s pretty incredible, the fact that there is such a place as the Edinburgh festival where anyone can put on a show. I love that. Five years ago I didn’t even know this festival existed, and now I can say I wrote two shows worth of jokes. I’m pretty proud of that.

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

I got to perform at the Hackney Empire in London to a thousand people. That was amazing. Also, I played for the first time ever in Amsterdam, which is where I’m from. That was a huge milestone for me.

Tell us about your show.

My show is written and performed by me, and it’s also about me. Honestly, if you like me you’ll love this. However, if you have no idea who I am (much more likely scenario), you should still totally come! I’ve written a very silly show that will speak to anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood. I also explore what it means to be foreign in the UK, and how to be friends with straight guys as a girl. If you like jokes about failed dates, childhood toys and Meg Ryan, definitely consider me. Most importantly, if you want to find out where I’m from (please ignore my answer to the previous question) come to my show! I pay homage to my home country in a way that is as moving as it is mocking. In conclusion, I guess, I wrote a lot of jokes so please come!

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

Oh my god, so many things. First off, go see Helen Bauer’s debut ‘Little Miss Baby Angel Face’, and be absolutely blown away by one of the funniest new voices in comedy – you won’t regret it. Another debut I highly recommend is Nathan D’Arcy Robert’s ‘Glowed Up’, as he is one of the funniest people I know and a damn good writer. A fellow sophomore like me to check out is Heidi Regan, whose new show ‘Heidi Kills Time’ will be a delight for anyone who likes their shows as smart as they are silly. I feel like I’m preaching to the converted when I recommend people like Olga Koch, Maisie Adam, Ed Night, Sarah Keyworth and Catherine Bohart, but do watch all of these people as they are amazing.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: I Can Make You Fail Slightly Less

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

“The most important thing to me is that people walk away from my shows feeling good after having had a great time.”

WHO: Dominic Berry: Writer and performer

WHAT: “Are you aware of the devastation that is possible by just one negative thought…? Do you know what will help you more: the wise words of Buddha or the fetish uniform of superhero He-Man…? Winner of Best Spoken Word Artist at Saboteur Awards 2017 and Poet in Residence at Glastonbury Festival, Dominic Berry promises to help you fail (slightly) less! ‘I love the seriousness and the humour’ (Benjamin Zephaniah). ‘An exceptional force’ (John McGrath, Artistic Director at National Theatre Wales).”

WHERE: ZOO Playground – Playground 3 (Venue 186) 

WHEN: 17:20 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not my first time in Edinburgh……but it is my first time doing a run of two shows at the Fringe (I’m doing a PBH Free Fringe family show too – ‘When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish’). I’m going to be knackered after all that but it will be so worth it!

I’ve actually done Edinburgh Fringe five times before in total and loved every one of them. One of my family-orientated shows, ‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Dinosaurs!’, was voted by Fest as one of the Top 8 shows for families at the Fringe in 2016. It was the only solo show to make their list. Not blowing my own trumpet but, I’ll admit, I was very proud of that one!

The most important thing to me is that people walk away from my shows feeling good after having had a great time. I’m just really excited about this year because I’ve got my new adult show to perform and it’s some of my best work!

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

Definitely Glastonbury in June 2019! This year was my third consecutive booking. It’s indescribable, even for a poet, being a part of the Glastonbury atmosphere. So many poets…….in the sun……and mud……..and magic!

A close second would be that I was lucky enough to have my poetry booked for a tour of New York State back in March 2019. I’m from a family who never went on holidays overseas when I was a kid. Money was always a challenge for us and it’s only in recent years, with my work, that I’ve had the great joy to visit places like NYC. I didn’t think people like me got to make art. Not as a job! Not to tour around the world and for it to reach so many people! So I’m glad that I didn’t quit on my dreams when times were rough.

There are loads more challenges to artists from working class families, but I believe passionately in telling children to never give up on their aspirations. Easier said than done, I know……..especially now. So I’m really proud to be staging my own family show this year with PBH free fringe, (‘When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish’), in the hope that families like my family are going to be more able to see the kind of art I would have loved to have seen when I was a lad. Art which I hope will inspire and fire them up!

We are all lucky to have PBHs free fringe. It brings a lot of ace art to people who wouldn’t have the chance to see it otherwise.

Tell us about your show.

‘I Can Make You Fail Slightly Less’ is my new adult show combining the following ingredients: comedy, poetry and the wisdom of the greatest self-help gurus! I wrote the show and I also perform it. But – it’s also an audience participation show so the audience actually help me perform it too! I love getting the audience involved and I will be making each show slightly different so no two shows are the same.

It’s directed by Kevin Dyer, who is just brilliant. He’s won a number of awards before, for his other work, so it was an honour to work with him on this show.

My company is me! So I suppose I came together within my own mother’s womb. In all seriousness, I had a massive interest in the performing arts from an early age, so the idea of me performing my own work to audiences was formed a long time ago. I’m just in awe of the fact that I’ve been able to do it! And very grateful.

The show has had a number of previews but it is premiering at Edinburgh Fringe 2019. Let’s see what happens following it’s run at Edinburgh. I’m very excited about performing it!

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

Every year the spoken word section at Edinburgh Fringe grows. Right now is a fantastic time to experience performed poetry. Our scene in the UK is bursting with talent and so much of it is at the fringe this year.

As a kick-off point, I’d recommend ‘Loud Poets’, which showcases tonnes of the best ‘poetry for the masses’!

For solo shows, I‘ll shout out Attila the Stockbroker, Jamie Thrasivoulou, Broccan Tyzack-Carlin, Melanie Branton, Ross McCleary, Rose Condo, and Rob Auton.

I always cringe when poets are asked who inspires them and they don’t say a poet but a singer……yet I’m gonna do the same. I recommend a man called Stewart D’Arrietta, who will be performing the works of my favourite lyricist – Leonard Cohen. I saw this show a couple of years ago, before we lost the legend of a man, so seeing it now will be all the more poignant. All the feels! Which, when all’s said and done, is what we all want from the fringe, right? All the feels!

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Daniel Audritt: Better Man

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

“I guess when you have an audience that can hear you clearly and aren’t worried about leaving with trench foot then they become an easier crowd…”

WHO: Daniel Audritt: Writer / performer

WHAT: “Award-winning comedian, writer and co-creator of Comedy Central’s Modern Horror Stories, Daniel Audritt brings his much-anticipated debut hour to the Fringe. Having previously written for 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week, Comic Relief, The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, NewsJack and many more, the show will be punchline-heavy stand-up comedy show that questions love, relationships, modern masculinity and what it takes to be a good guy. Dave’s fourth Best Joke of the Fringe 2018. ‘A winning wit’ (Bruce Dessau, BeyondTheJoke.co.uk).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Up the Stairs (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 13:05 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 5th time at the fringe, but my first time doing an hour show on my own.
For two years I performed in a tent in the middle of the Free Sisters. The “venue” was the worst – so much so that I don’t think it counts as a venue any more – but I loved it, which is why I went back two years on the bounce. The whole tent would flood if (and when) there was rain, it had a busy road on one side and a beer garden that played the football on the big screen on the other. At least a few times every day I’d think “what am I doing here?”… but then every time I did a gig in an actual venue, it felt so much easier than it used to. I guess when you have an audience that can hear you clearly and aren’t worried about leaving with trench foot then they become an easier crowd…

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

The biggest thing that has happened to me was last year when I was doing my work in progress show. I thought I was keeping myself off the radar, but then one of my jokes came 4th on Dave’s Best Jokes of the Fringe. That was pretty crazy.

Tell us about your show.

Daniel Audritt: Better Man is a stand-up show about Love, Relationships and Modern Masculinity.
I thought I’d learnt everything I ever needed to know about life from 90s rom-coms but then I found myself in a relationship that I hope will last and have been forced to question everything. In the show, I will explore what it means to be a better man in 2019 – taking a look at everything from Toxic masculinity to the aggressive language on my moisturiser.

Edinburgh will be the show’s official premiere – I’ve been previewing it this year and developing it around the country on basically any stage (and often there wasn’t actually a stage) that people would let me tell jokes on. I’d love to tour the show afterwards, but let’s see if I get through Edinburgh first shall we?

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

It’s hard for me to choose one, so here are 4 that I’m really looking forward to…

Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated) – Janine is a seriously good stand up and was part of the cast of Modern Horror Stories, my Comedy Central show.

Northern Power Blouse – Touching Cloth – A silly, over the top sketch show. Also, my writing partner is in it, and she’s the funniest person I know.

Emmy Blotnick: Party Nights – Great stand up from the US. I heard this album a few weeks back and it was great, I’m really looking forward to seeing it live.

Anna Drezen: Okay Get Home Safe!! – Another US comic and writer. She used to write loads of the Reductress’s best articles, now she writes a lot of SNL’s best sketches. I’m looking forward to that one.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Atomic Saloon Show

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

“To create and rehearse the show we have brought our entire producing team from New York and Las Vegas to Edinburgh for the month of July as well as the fourteen incredible performers who come from Australia, USA, Ukraine, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Sweden, Wales, Ireland and Iceland.”

WHO: Andrew Dunn: Creative Director

WHAT: “The wildest watering hole in town. Madam Boozy Skunkton has been collecting the prettiest, sexiest, dumbest, drunkest troupe of entertainers and acrobats on earth, and is determined to create the greatest saloon show the world has ever known. Moulin Rouge meets Blazing Saddles, and America’s Got Talent meets Westworld. From the creators of the hit Las Vegas show Absinthe. Featuring some of the best names in variety and physical comedy, this world premiere is a must-see before it heads to its permanent home on the Las Vegas Strip. Directed by Cal McCrystal (One Man, Two Guvnors).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete (Venue 3) 

WHEN: 22:10 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Spiegelworld presented a small ridiculous show in Edinburgh in 2015 where we just had fun trying out new ideas. Vegas Nocturne was an out of control cabaret directed by American clowning legend John Gilkey and we were honoured to be named Strangest Show! We see Edinburgh as a perfect stage to develop and premiere new work.

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

Celine Dion took a break from her gruelling Las Vegas concert schedule, came to see our show Absinthe at Caesars Palace and declared it was her favourite disaster since Titanic.

Tell us about your show.

Spiegelworld has been talking to UK’s leading comedy director Cal McCrystal for years about creating a show together. We have long admired his joyful, madcap, subversive style of physical comedy which is a perfect complement to our incredibly skilled and sexy young circus acrobats. Finally we have the opportunity to make the dream a reality with a show which takes the audience to the Wild West as it never was . To create and rehearse the show we have brought our entire producing team from New York and Las Vegas to Edinburgh for the month of July as well as the fourteen incredible performers who come from Australia, USA, Ukraine, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Sweden, Wales, Ireland and Iceland. After its world premiere in Edinburgh the show will be immediately transferred to its permanent home at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

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

Our show is definitely adults-only and with our incredibly good looking and sexy acrobats, most of our audience will be shamed into re-joining a gym immediately after seeing our show. But we can also recommend the more family-friendly and brilliant Australian circus company Circa and their show Humans. We are really excited to be surrounded by so many exceptional circus companies and Cirque Berserk, La Galerie and The Storm are just some of the many shows on our list to see.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Valentina’s Galaxy

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

“I think lots of audiences love it because it’s a break from the busyness of the Fringe and there’s so much to do to keep the kids busy.”

WHO: Heather Fulton: Director and Artistic Director Frozen Charlotte

WHAT: “Valentina’s Galaxy: an intergalactic adventure for starry-eyed 2-6 year olds and their adults. Inspired by women in space, this immersive performance captivates children and adults alike with a combustible concoction of experiments, rocket launches and stargazing. From the creators of Paperbelle and Too Many Penguins? Valentina’s Galaxy is a fascinating, funny and moving experience created especially for young audiences. ‘Capturing our imaginations’ (Scotsman). ‘Full of eye-popping surprises’ **** (EdinburghGuide.com). Originally commissioned by Edinburgh Science Festival, in association with Imaginate through support from the Scottish Governments Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. Madeinscotlandshowcase.com”

WHERE: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Fletcher Building – Fletcher Building (Venue 370) 

WHEN: Varies (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not our first time in Edinburgh – we were a part of the Made in Scotland programme with one of our other early years shows Paperbelle back in 2012. We were at the Royal Botanic Gardens with Assembly and had such a great time we’re repeating it with Valentina’s Galaxy! We’re delighted to be back at the Botanics as it’s such an amazing and accessible place for families. I think lots of audiences love it because it’s a break from the busyness of the Fringe and there’s so much to do to keep the kids busy.

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

We’ve had a great year! We toured our show NESTS by Xana Marwick throughout Scotland, Paperbelle has been to China three (!!!) times since then and we presented Valentina’s Galaxy at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in May this year – always an amazing honour (whoops, sorry that’s three things)

Tell us about your show.

Valentina’s Galaxy was commissioned by the Edinburgh Science Festival in 2018. It was created by myself and visual artist/Frozen Charlotte associate Katy Wilson. Frozen Charlotte is a leading company producing work in Scotland all year round and I’m delighted to be the company’s Artistic Director. Valentina’s Galaxy was inspired by research that children as young as two are already gender stereotyping. We felt that space exploration was one of the areas were generally the first image that pops into mind when you hear the word Astronaut is of a white man.

So Katy and I found ourselves two amazing female space explorers (we actually discovered hundreds of them!) so actually we picked two of the hundreds of amazing space travellers – Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian Cosmonaut and the first white woman to go into space in 1963 and Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go into space in 1992.

We finished a run of shows at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival this May – after one of these shows a little girl in the audience said ‘I want to be an Astronaut’ – job done!

We’re working with Mhari Robinson of Independent Arts Producers on the show and delighted to be presenting as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.

We’re hoping to tour throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally. It’s an exciting time for the space industry at the moment and we hope to inspire as many young people as possible to explore and find out more about the wonders of space.

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

There’s some really great work out there for young audiences I’d recommend. Little Top by Starcatchers – a circus inspired show for 0-18 months and Islander by Helen Milne Productions, a new musical for everyone aged 8+ (both are part of the Made in Scotland showcase)

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: With Child

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

“When I first started writing this show pregnancy was on my mind, friends were having children and I really wanted to have a baby myself.”

WHO: Clare Pointing: Writer & Actor

WHAT: “A solo show – six different women, one thing in common. Inspired by society’s expectations and the pressures on women to be maternal, kind, considerate individuals. There is one thing these women share, they are all pregnant, however they rarely refer to this – but do we as an audience judge them differently because of their impending motherhood? This series of talking heads style monologues will make you laugh and cringe as we share a glimpse into these women’s daily lives, warts and all. ‘Perhaps inspired by Alan Bennett’s monologues, Pointing’s writing is funny and true’ **** (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 9th fringe but my second performing a show that I have written.

I first came to the fringe in 2007 with theatre company ‘The River People’ performing in ‘The Ordinaries in an Awkward Silence’ and ‘Lily through the Dark’ with these shows we were lucky enough to win a total theatre award for best-emerging company and also the Edinburgh International Festival award.

I have also performed in other companies productions as well as attended as a director for a play ‘The Head of the Fork’ and comedy duo ‘That Pair’.

Every year is different but every time it feels like coming home… to a mad very busy home but I love it and can’t wait to be back again this year.

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

In September 2018 I gave birth to my daughter Rae, she’s been a huge part of this show’s journey as I performed a work in progress version of it throughout the pregnancy. This will be her first fringe experience and I’m so looking forward to taking her to some baby shows, baby disco’s and letting her explore the meadows etc.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this ‘With Child’, it is my second solo show that gives an audience a glimpse into the everyday lives of six women.

When I first started writing this show pregnancy was on my mind, friends were having children and I really wanted to have a baby myself. Then it got me thinking about my career, what would happen if I was lucky enough to become pregnant myself. It struck me that we never really see pregnant actresses on screen or stage unless the scene is focused on this fact and I thought, what about a show where everyone is pregnant but they’re not talking about it, does it still work or does it change how the audience feels about them as people?

In my team I have Flick Morris working on PR, she is also a new mum so it felt like the ideal match for this show and a meeting of minds.

My technician Simeon Miller is an absolute hero, I’ve been working with him for a few years now, he makes lights do their best thing and he’s also an all-round technical superstar.

Claire Harvey has done a stage/prop design for me, she has a great eye for visuals and used to co-run ‘The River People’ so we’ve been working together a long time. Other than this I have had guest direction from a variety of brilliant people alongside other help along the way.

I performed a work in progress of this show last year whilst pregnant at Vault, Brighton and Plymouth Fringe festivals. I then took it to Camden Peoples and Soho Theatre.

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

My Husband is bringing a show that he has written called ‘Who is Daniel King’ it’s on at Assembly, 18.55. He’s great and it will be great.

Some very talented and lovely friends are in shows, here are the details:

Catch Kathryn bond in ‘It’s True, It’s True, It’s True’ by Breach Theatre … I saw this last year and it was absolutely brilliant!

‘Shaw and Order’ comedy from Lorna Shaw

‘Gun’ A former member of comedy sketch troupe ‘Clever Pever’ William Hartley has written this.

‘Gabby Best – 10,432 Sheep’ I’ve never actually seen one of Gabby shows but so many people tell me to go and I will be, sounds right up my street.

Jessica Clark is performing in a show at Summerhall, I’m not sure of the name but I am sure we’ll all have heard of it within the first week, she is brilliant.

Oh and Aphra Campbell in ‘Woke’

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Maria Shehata: Hero

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

“It’s about my life in the UK after my move for love didn’t work out.”

WHO: Maria Shehata: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “Failed love, crippling debt and living with an angry 83-year-old. Not exactly what Maria had in mind when she left LA for the UK. ‘A slick, gag-driven US-approach’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A charming, engaging storyteller’ (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘I love Maria Shehata’ (Bill Burr).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market – Bottom (Venue 98) 

WHEN: 17:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

The first time I came to Edinburgh was in 2015. I was doing a week-long run, and they had to cancel my first performance because they found human remains the venue. I would have performed anyway, not my worst audience.

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

My ass. I gained a lot of new relationship weight. But it’s a happy weight!

Tell us about your show.

I am the writer and PBJ Management is partially producing it. It’s about my life in the UK after my move for love didn’t work out. With two trash bags full of stuff, I went from my fiancé’s flat to living with an 83 year old, which wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I moved from LA to the UK. I am premiering it at Edinburgh, and I hope to tour it throughout the UK after Edinburgh!

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

Daniel Audritt’s Better Man and Helen Bauer’s Little Miss Baby Angel Face. They are both make me laugh in person and on stage and I love watching them perform.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Tokyo Rose

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals by

“We make gutsy female-led theatre that blends spoken word and music.”

WHO: Tanya Agarwal: Producer

WHAT: “Turn back the dial to 1949. Iva d’Aquino stands accused of treason in one of the most controversial trials in American history. Faced with accusations of peddling Axis propaganda, Iva becomes known as the notorious Tokyo Rose – but was she the villain she was made out to be? Five female wartime disc jockeys spit piercing verse in a rap-packed musical broadcast going live in 5, 4, 3… From the team behind The Half Moon Shania: ‘Best Musical Award 2018’ ***** (MusicalTheatreReview.com). **** (Stage). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly Untapped Award 2019.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate – Iron Belly (Venue 61) 

WHEN: 18:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our second time and we can’t wait to be back! Last year we took our debut show, The Half Moon Shania, which won Best Musical! It was such a huge learning curve and a really brilliant way to cement what we are about as a company. We can’t wait to come back this year!

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

The biggest thing that has happened to us is that we won the Untapped Award in association with New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly. Without this award we definitely couldn’t have made Tokyo Rose, and we feel so lucky to have gained so much support from these two great organisations.

Tell us about your show.

Tokyo Rose is an electrifying new musical about one of America’s most controversial trails. Accused of peddling axis propaganda, Iva Toguri became known as the notorious Tokyo Rose – but was she the villain she was made out to be?

Burnt Lemon Theatre was formed by East 15 graduates Hannah Benson and Cara Baldwin, with Tanya Agarwal joining later on as producer. We make gutsy female-led theatre that blends spoken word and music.

We are so excited to be previewing the show at Derby Theatre as part of Departure Lounge Festival on the 18th of July. We have some plans for after Edinburgh, so watch this space!

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

Go see the other Untapped Award shows! Poltergeist’s Art Heist and Barrel Organ’s Conspiracy promise to be amazing. Some of our other favourite companies are also up at Fringe this year, including Trip Hazards with their show Progress and Bric a Brac Theatre with Mustard Doesn’t Go With Girls.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Wit and Mirth

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

“I was put on its trail by an audience member who I got chatting to in Edinburgh last year, and when I found a copy of the book and started reading it I was enthralled.”

WHO: David William Hughes: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “In 1698 Thomas d’Urfey published the smash-hit book of comic songs, Wit and Mirth. David William Hughes sings some of them, some of his own, and some of yours which he’ll make up for you. ‘A hoot, a bawdy entertainment, and a display of consummate musicianship which brings tears to the eyes both of laughter and sadness’ **** (ScotsGay.co.uk). ‘Hilarious’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘A witty gem’ **** (MusicalTalk). ‘Accomplished musicality and bawdy ribaldry’ **** (The730Review.co.uk). **** (Advertiser, Adelaide).”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ Bar 50 – Upstairs (Venue 151) 

WHEN: 22:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first came to the Fringe in 2011 as part of the improv group the Oxford Imps. It was an amazing experience! Despite 2011 being an exceptionally rainy year, I had the time of my life – one moment that stands out from that year is seeing Adam Riches’ show and just being bowled over by the weirdness, the level of engagement with the audience, and laughing until I cried. Since then I’ve been back many times with many different shows – 2019 will be my 6th Fringe. There’s no-where else like it for seeing the most amazing, innovative, and strange comedy, theatre and cabaret.

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

After last year’s Fringe I was invited to perform my 2018 show “Elizabethan” at the Adelaide Fringe. This was a fantastic experience, and involved me spending as much time (4 days) sat in aeroplanes as I spent actually in Adelaide. The atmosphere there was incredible – as was the food and wine – and it was a huge privilege to fly all the way around the world to perform.

Tell us about your show.

My new show “Wit and Mirth” is a comic cabaret based on a songbook called “Wit and Mirth”, which was first published in 1698. It was one of the biggest-selling publications of its day, but is now almost completely forgotten. I was put on its trail by an audience member who I got chatting to in Edinburgh last year, and when I found a copy of the book and started reading it I was enthralled. There’s all sorts of strange songs in there – one of my favourites is about a boy who chokes to death during a custard eating competition – which I’ve taken, re-arranged, and been inspired by. I’ve already performed the show in Boston and London and hope to take it to more cities in the US after Edinburgh.

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

One group I’ve seen a few times, and will be sure to catch again, is the Owle Schreame. They do these amazingly bawdy versions of 17th century plays called “Drolls” which are fascinating and hilarious. There’s also some really innovative cross-overs between comedy and theatre – Daniel Nils Roberts is one act that I’d heartily recommend. And the stand up Sophie Duker is doing her debut solo show this year – having seen her at the Fringe over the past few years I definitely want to see her full hour. Other than those, just go to something totally strange that you wouldn’t get to see anywhere else!

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Jekyll and Hyde

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

“Our show is like a dress-up party in that we tell wild and outrageous stories together.”

WHO: Comfrey Sanders: Performer

WHAT: “Meet the most delightfully evil man alive, Mr Hyde. A man so evil he punches the cleaner, drop-kicks a precious puffin, and yells ‘shark’ at the beach. From the creators of 2018’s hit Don Juan, this bonkers rendition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Jekyll and Hyde is retold by a team of charmingly “French” performers with the help of the audience. Experience theatre at its most joyous with audacious performers, twisted pop songs and brilliant physical comedy. Praise for Don Juan: ***** (FringeGuru.com). **** (List). **** (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo (Venue 3) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We came last year for the first time with our show Don Juan, and we loved Edinburgh and the people so much we are back for round two. We pounded the pavements flyering and meeting people that way. We definitely bought our flyering A game – we flirted shamelessly with everyone we met.

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

I helped make and then performed in a new musical based on a long-running soap in NZ called “Shortland Street: The Musical”. It was a loving homage to the 90’s version of Shortland Street I played 90’s Rachel McKenna – she was a teenager then.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is like a dress-up party in that we tell wild and outrageous stories together. But it’s for adults, so we can be a little flirty and you can have a drink or two as well. We tell you the very terrifying story of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Mr Hyde is a terrible man and we have a lot of fun exploring all the terrible things he does (and some of the terrible things we wish we could all do)….
It’s a devised work produced by our theatre company A Slightly Isolated Dog and directed by Leo Gene Peters. The show was first made by the company in 2016 and we have toured around NZ a lot over the last 3 years. Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired by Edinburgh so Hyde-like naughtiness will probably be lurking behind every corner, which is rather thrilling. Next year we are hopefully touring it through Australia, and we’ve just started work on the third show in our party-play trilogy.

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

I would highly recommend the solo comedy show Aunty. She’s a fellow traveller from New Zealand, also on at Assembly and she’ll treat you very well – like one of the family in fact.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!