Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: Vince Ebert: Sexy Science. Made in Germany

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“Fortunately, in my home town of Frankfurt we have a very well-known English theatre. They gave me the chance to play the show on a regular basis so I could develop and improve the show.”

WHO: Vince Ebert, Comedian/Performer

WHAT: “German comedians are like English cooks, sober Scotsmen or Texan democrats. And physicists aren’t funny at all. That may be true until you meet the father of German science comedy. Vince Ebert explains scientific facts using the fundamental laws of humour. Why is the sky blue? Why is the night black? Why shouldn’t we eat yellow snow? A witty and inspiring performance about skeptical thinking, fake news, the secret of German cars and the important question: do strippers in the southern hemisphere turn around the pole in the opposite direction?”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 13:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I was at the Fringe for the first time last year. A friend of mine, who is also a comedian, invited me to come over from Germany to perform in his mixed show. And I really enjoyed the atmosphere!!! So, I decided to come back with my science comedy show “Sexy Science. Serious Humour – Made in Germany”.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I’ve been working as a science comedian for almost 20 years in Germany but it has always been a big dream of mine to do an entire show in English. So, I sat down and wrote “Sexy Science”. Fortunately, in my home town of Frankfurt we have a very well-known English theatre. They gave me the chance to play the show on a regular basis so I could develop and improve the show.

Tell us about your show.

Originally, I’m a certified physicist. In my shows I try to explain scientific facts with the fundamental laws of humour: Why is the sky blue? Why is the night black? Why shouldn’t we eat yellow snow? And of course, I’m willing to debunk the myth that Germans have no sense of humour. The first time I entered the lab of my German university I saw a sign: “Don´t look directly into the laser beam with your remaining eye.”

After the festival my German tour continues. But next year, I’m moving to NYC with my wife for a whole year! Maybe I’ll even make some contacts with Americans during the Fringe.

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

There’s such a huge offer of good shows and artists that I don’t want to pick just one. I can highly recommend stepping into a mixed show and let yourself be surprised. As a German I feel naturally obliged to my countrymen. Therefore I can recommend the show “Get On With It” from Henning Wehn.

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+3 Interview: Feed

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“When you say, “The Attention Economy” it sounds like something dry or theoretical but when you really delve into it, this is about how our minds are being manipulated and shaped by new technologies.”

WHO: Ailin Conant, Director

WHAT: “Welcome to the stimulating world of Feed, where emotions are the currency, and your passions and fantasies will be indulged… for a price. After the sell-out success of The Marked, ‘a rollercoaster ride’ ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info), and The Fantasist, ‘achingly beautiful… incredible stagework that will blow you away’ (Sunday Times), Témoin return, bringing their vibrant visual style to the world of clickbait culture, fake news and cyber gluttony. Feed is a co-production with The Lowry and The Everyman Cheltenham and is supported by Arts Council England and the Charles Irving Trust.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – KingDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 14:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our fourth show at the Fringe. Our past shows were NOBODY’S HOME, THE FANTASIST, and THE MARKED. We’ve been super lucky to have sell-out shows a few years running, and feel excited to have such a loyal audience base in Edinburgh who have a taste for our visual and physical style of theatre.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

The biggest thing was being taken on by The Lowry as a supported company, and it’s thanks to them along with our long-time partner The Everyman Cheltenham that we have been able to really push the boundaries with FEED and build something zany and dark that is like nothing we’ve done before.

We’ve also been accepted into the Without Walls portfolio for companies producing outdoor work, which has meant that we’ve been able to scale-up some of our signature styles (like puppetry and clown) to the great outdoors. We’re currently building a show called “Routes” which involves a 20-foot tower and 10-foot puppets. We’re super excited to keep pushing into this new form and are interested in meeting / collaborating with circus artists so if you’re a circus company with an outdoor theatre idea please get in touch!

Tell us about your show.

FEED is a devised show by Theatre Témoin that has been written by the company in collaboration with two stellar contributing playwrights – Eve Leigh and Erin Judge – along with a whole slew of mentors and engagement partners including Chris Thorpe, The Lowry Young Company, Stagedoor Learning, New Horizons, The Roundhouse Young Poets, Ovalhouse Young Associates, Anthony Anaxagorou, and Tristan Finn-Aiduenu. It’s a gritty and irreverent explosion of creative ideas tackling a very complex subject. When you say, “The Attention Economy” it sounds like something dry or theoretical but when you really delve into it, this is about how our minds are being manipulated and shaped by new technologies. It’s a subject that has its tendrils in addiction, desire, connection, and all that is worst and best in human beings, and until we understand it we won’t be able to face the greatest challenges facing us as a species. We think it’s one of the most important conversations for us to be having in our time.

FEED previewed at the Lowry in June, and will tour nationally and internationally in 2019.

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

Sh*tfaced Shakespeare. A) because they’re hilarious, but more importantly, B) because we stole one of their actresses for FEED. We’re constantly terrified they will drunkenly gate-crash our show and attempt to steal her back. Please go placate them.

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+3 Interview: Matt Price: Last Night a Weegie Saved My Life

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“I enjoy being in one place for a month and not having to travel.”

WHO: Matt Price, Performer

WHAT: “Friendly Cornish giant Matt Price was going out with a woman. The only problem is that she wasn’t going out with him, so Matt spent a year of his life looking like the world’s worst stalker. The experience triggered a memory from his childhood. Find out why he pretended to like death metal, why he loves bad performance poetry and how a five-foot-one Glaswegian woman saved his life. ‘Fearlessly funny’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Extraordinary’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Wonderfully funny’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

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

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 8th solo show and I think the 13th time I’ve performed at the Festival. Someone once described the Edinburgh Festival as end of term exams for comedians. I enjoy being in one place for a month and not having to travel. I also enjoy doing an hour long show.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I’ve started using my slow cooker more and as my partner is vegetarian, I’ve learned how to slow cook Quorn. It’s surprisingly good. I make a Quorn biryani, which I really like.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called “Last night a Weegie saved my life”. I wrote it and it’s the most personal story I’ve told to an audience, but it’s funny and uplifting too. It’s being promoted by Bound and Gagged and I’m looking forward to performing it. I’ve been previewing at various places this year and I have no idea where I will take it after Edinburgh, but I’m interested to find out. Possibly somewhere overseas or back home in Cornwall.

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

They should tell other people about the show if they liked it. It’s helpful to have audience recommend shows. Then they should go and see my partner Martha McBrier do her show. It’s very different to mine but as she features in my show, it might be interesting…

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+3 Interview: Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I used to do children’s theatre when I was a teenager, please don’t research it, it’s not pretty.”

WHO: Sarah Keyworth, Performer

WHAT: “You’ve seen her on Comedy Central, you’ve seen her on the BBC. Now see Nottingham-born rising star Sarah Keyworth’s debut hour. Join Sarah as she tells you about her life with an important little girl and her battle against every expectation of what being a girl means. Think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun but British, deadpan and in no way similar. Tour support for Dane Baptiste, Stewart Francis and Kerry Godliman. Funny Women runner-up. ‘Charming’ (Independent). ‘Excellently deadpan’ (HuffingtonPost.com). ‘I liked that joke about her fanny’ (Sarah Millican). ‘A complete breath of fresh air’ (EdFestMag.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 9th visit to the fringe but my first hour show! I used to do children’s theatre when I was a teenager, please don’t research it, it’s not pretty.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

It’s actually been a steady stream of nice things since last Edinburgh. I won a bursary for the new show, I got a resident MC spot in Leicester Sq and a few other things that I can’t actually tell you but I’m very pleased about.

Tell us about your show.

My show is a hour of solo stand up. I wrote it and it is being produced by a fantastic company called Fight In The Dog. I’ve been previewing it all over the UK but in very rough forms and I hope it will go further after the Fringe but it depends on how successful the run is!

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

I’m excited to see Sean Mcloughlin, Jordan Brookes, Sindhu Vee, Catherine Bohart, Ed Night, Brennan Reece, Adele Cliff – I could go on and on!

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+3 Interview: Barry Ferns: Barry Loves You

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“The streets are carved indelibly in my mind. And also knees… in 2012 and 2013 I did a show on TOP of Arthurs Seat EVERY SINGLE day of the festival – I now have no cartilage in my knees.”

WHO: Barry Ferns, Writer Performer

WHAT: “An hour of entertainment on what it is like to be the human being Barry Ferns living life in the 21st century*. Here is previous review for a previous show: ‘A marvellous, personal, beautifully constructed, laughter-packed hour’ **** (Scotsman). *This century.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Tron – Just the Tonic at The Tron (Venue 51) 

WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is not my first rodeo. I have been to Edinburgh many times – I even once had a partner that lived here. The streets are carved indelibly in my mind. And also knees… in 2012 and 2013 I did a show on TOP of Arthurs Seat EVERY SINGLE day of the festival – I now have no cartilage in my knees.
Oh – I’ve also won a “Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe” award and a “Malcolm Hardee award”. But don’t tell anyone. I want to keep it a secret (doh!)

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I did my premiere of this show in New York City. It was awesome. Such a great venue and place – David Cross was on a few days before me at the same venue and I “hung” with Aziz Anzari and Jeanne Garafalo. Touch me. I’m cool. Actually, it felt more like someone else’s life. But it was an awesome experience and I’d love to go back very very soon.

Tell us about your show.

The show is called Barry Loves You. I wrote it. I produced it. The company game together inside my mother, in Dorset, many moons ago (Sorry for that image…).
It’s about connection, about love, about confusion and about biscuits. Actually, it’s mostly about biscuits*. But if I called it “Barry Loves Biscuits” I would have sounded like a dog. But who doesn’t love biscuits**?
*It’s not about biscuits
** hipsters probably

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

They should most definitely go and see the show of the first flyer they get handed when they leave my show.
Recommendations are random anyway – most people have 5***** for something or other. You can never tell what someone unknown is going to be like. So take the lottery and play russian roulette with an hour of your life. It’s the most exciting way to play Edinburgh. Blindly pulling that trigger and with a war veteran near by.
That – of go and see Nick Elleray, he’s great.

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+3 Interview: J’n’R

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“Our productions explore the human condition in all its messy, humorous splendour.”

WHO: Fiona Leonard, Writer / Producer

WHAT: “It’s 4am, you’re stuck in the middle of an airport, and you’re downing coffee to stay awake. You also suspect you might be falling for the weird, oddly familiar guy in the corner who seems to have a thing for iambic pentameter. Problem is, you’re going to Hong Kong, he’s going to Morocco and you have one hour until your flight is called. What do you do? J’n’R is a fast-paced comedy loosely based on the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. It may or may not be a love story.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 13:45 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes it is. Despite lots of Scottish heritage (my grandfather was one, Donald McCallum Carmichael!) this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Edinburgh. I can’t begin to tell you how excited we all are.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

We launched our theatre company, Blue Goat Theatre, earlier this year which has been an incredible experience. We finally have a creative home, and have received so much support both from people here in Düsseldorf, Germany where we are based, and from abroad.

Blue Goat Theatre champions diversity and inclusiveness both on stage and behind the scenes. The creative team behind the company hails from three different countries so there’s always a rich mix of culture and ideas. Our productions explore the human condition in all its messy, humorous splendour.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this show in the wake of the Trump election and the rise of the #metoo movement. Like many people, I was looking for a way to make a contribution to the conversation. After a recent show one of our audience members wrote: “What a beautiful display of dismantling the patriarchy. This play is needed now more than ever.” Feedback like that reassures me that we’re on the right track. Come find us at the Fringe and we’ll give you one of our “F**K the Patriarchy” postcards. They’re pretty fab.

We premiered J’n’R in Germany in 2017 and have been refining it over the past year. After Edinburgh we’ll be performing back in Germany, but in German rather than in English which adds a whole new dynamic to the show.

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

They should definitely see Jimeoin: Result! Jimeoin is an an Irish/Australian comedian whom I first saw perform when I was at university over 20 years ago. Back then he was just a guy who was a builder during the day and doing the stand up comedy circuit at night. He was such a decent guy with both talent and integrity. It’s so cool to see what he’s achieved in his career. And his shows are hilarious!

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jimeoin-result

I’d also give a shout out to the amazing shows performing at the Greenside Venues. There’s a great community spirit amongst all of the Greenside artists and Blue Goat Theatre is very happy to be a part of the family! Personally I’m planning to see Sod’s Law – a musical romp through queer history. I haven’t seen the show, but it sounds great! Catch it at the Mint Studio @ Infirmary Street.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sod-s-law

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+3 Interview: Athena Kugblenu: Follow the Leader

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I spent 18 months having a go at Trump and Brexit supporters but then I flooded my kitchen in the stupidest way and I thought to myself ‘I’m an idiot too.”

WHO: Athena Kugblenu, Performer

WHAT: “On a hovercraft, no one can hear you bark… Fringe legend and Olivier Award winner Guy Masterson’s uproarious tales of woe, a dog and transcontinental wedlock. The dog came with a package… it could not be abandoned in Paris, and the next eight years tested everything: marriage, career and sanity. A tormented, often hysterical life of poo, piss and pooches.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Clover (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I have been going to Edinburgh for years. I went for a few years as a new comedian and checked out all the venues and nice places to eat. Satisfied I knew where to get a good feed I could afford, last year I took up my debut hour and this year I am bringing up my second hour!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I recorded an episode of Museum of Curiosity last month. That was incredible, trying to keep my cool with Lee Mack to my left and John Lloyd to my right.

Tell us about your show.

It’s called Follow the Leader. It’s called Follow the Leader because I think at this point in history in the western world at least, we have the worst leaders. We don’t even have good people to replace them with. But then maybe it’s a reflection of this point in history just having the worst people – so our leaders are the best of a bad bunch. I wrote the show because I spent 18 months having a go at Trump and Brexit supporters but then I flooded my kitchen in the stupidest way and I thought to myself ‘I’m an idiot too. Some people vote for despots. Others ruin their laminate. Swings and roundabouts’. I wrote it and I’m working with So Comedy and Broken Robot productions to bring it to Edinburgh. Afterwards, I’ll be giving birth but maybe I will perform it in 2019, if I can find a baby friendly green room.

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

They should check out Sindhu Vee, Eleanor Tiernan, Kemah Bob, Kwame Asante and someone else they have never heard of – it’s important to take a gamble when up in Edinburgh. I also saw some good plays last year so definitely venture away from stand up, otherwise you will run out of laughter.

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+3 Interview: Brett Goldstein: What Is Love Baby Don’t Hurt Me

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“It’s a stand up show about love, sex, porn and addiction.”

WHO: Brett Goldstein, Performer

WHAT: “Sex. Porn. Love. Addiction. Can Brett tell the difference? Brett Goldstein, award-winning comic, actor and writer, returns with a new stand-up show about relationships, psychology, living in a post-porn world and the hell that is being in love. Come help him through this difficult time. ‘Sharply written, impeccably delivered, always charming… Warm, wise stuff’ (Daily Telegraph). ‘Fast paced, dark and brutal, and performed with skill and ease… Oddly philosophical and fascinating.’ (WhatsOnStage.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 12th time coming to Edinburgh I think. I spent four years doing plays up here. Then started doing stand up. Did a new act show. Then three mixed bills. Then three solo shows. This is my fourth solo show. I’m tired even explaining that.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I went to a dinner party. Never again.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a stand up show about love, sex, porn and addiction. I wrote it. Live Nation are producing it. I’ve done lots of previews before Edinburgh. I might take it on tour after.

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

Something that isn’t comedy so they aren’t comparing the two. Maybe, a nice opera or some mime.

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+3 Interview: Steen Raskopoulos: Stay

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“I was nominated for Best Newcomer in my first year in 2014.”

WHO: Steen Raskopoulos, Performer

WHAT: “The electrifying new show from the gifted character comedian and improviser. Nominated for both the prestigious Barry Award and Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer, Steen’s live shows are a ‘triple threat of performance, material and charisma. A flawless hour of comedy’ ***** (Herald). As seen on Top Coppers (BBC Three), Whose Line is it Anyway? (ABC Australia) and Steen Raskopoulos’ Scare BnB (Sky). ‘Unique and completely hilarious and life-affirming’ ***** (New European). ‘Technically astonishing and emotionally fulfilling’ ***** (List). ‘An inspired and utterly original stand-up’ **** (Sunday Times). ‘Like witnessing a talent explosion’ (Independent).”

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

WHEN: 20:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is not, it’s my fourth show. I was nominated for Best Newcomer in my first year in 2014.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I went to the World Cup.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it. Underbelly are producing it. Tom Parry directed it. It premiered at the Melbourne Comedy festival and then the Sydney Comedy Festival where it won the Director’s Choice Award.

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

Dream Gun, Rosie Jones, Sara Barron, Abandoman and The Bear Pack 🙂

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+3 Interview: Damian Clark: Extra Show

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“I’ve been working on these jokes for the past 10 years during a pilgrimage trip through the Inca Trail.”

WHO: Damian Clark, performer

WHAT: “Strap in for rapid-fire jokes from the Aussie hurricane in this brand-new show. Due to phenomenal demand, 26 shows have been added in the same room at the same time. Book now! Sell-out show: Perth Fringe World 2018, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011-2016, Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2013-2017. ‘The world’s wittiest machine gun’ (Scotsman). ‘A relentless onslaught of crippling laughs’ (Skinny). ‘Every joke – and I honestly do mean every single joke – is genuinely, gut-bustingly funny’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Infectious, hilarious and highly recommended’ (Kevin Bridges).”

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

WHEN: 22:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

7th solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe, my fave number! The first 6 were just a run-up to this masterpiece 😀

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

My wife had a baby using all her own ingredients plus a sprinkling of spices from yours truly.

Tell us about your show.

I’ve been working on these jokes for the past 10 years during a pilgrimage trip through the Inca Trail and living with people in a mountain village surviving on lizards and leaves… or I’m going to write it this week, one of the two.

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

Heidi Regan – Heidi vs Sharks

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