Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: Paul Savage: DoGooder

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

“The first year I did a show where at the last minute we decided to give away free tea and biscuits. We had a 140 seater room and we said we’d be happy to get 20 in. We ended up filling it nearly every day. “

WHO: Paul Savage, Comedian

WHAT: “It’s hard to do good when everything’s falling apart. Paul Savage had a weird year, that really made him look inside himself. That’s never a good thing. Contains great new jokes about depression, identity politics and jewel heists. ‘Brave enough to be offensive, with a number of insane anecdotes. Shades of brilliance lurk here’ (ThreeWeeks). Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe 2017 (Guardian, Mirror, Esquire, Shortlist, Week). ‘An engaging and affable labour of love from a man determined to find comedy in the unlikeliest of places’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Genuinely brilliant. An all round hoot’ (Guardian).”

WHERE: Ciao Roma – Downstairs (Venue 283) 

WHEN: 16:35 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my 7th time in 8 years, 5th solo show, and I think the 17th show I will have done for the full run. I didn’t do 2012 because I had Olympic tickets. The first year I did a show where at the last minute we decided to give away free tea and biscuits. We had a 140 seater room and we said we’d be happy to get 20 in. We ended up filling it nearly every day. Never underestimate how much the great British public want a sit-down.

Did the same again next year, with anothr 3 hander and free tea and biscuits. Then in 2013, started with my solo show Cheerful Shambles. That was very fun, then next year did the very fun (but utter nightmare to write) show “Paul Savage finds all the jokes in the bible”. That had a lot of nice reviews, mostly from its very hooky title. Then the next year, the difficult third album “Tired And Emotional”. It had some of my favourite bits but I was very jaded with comedy and it never came together as a whole. That year, I also did my gameshow Hell To Play (A gameshow set in Hell, hosted by the devil. I played Bernard Manning, a virgin sacrifice, and God, as a cockney gangster), which was the most fun I’ve ever had at the Fringe. It was riotous. Proper things falling apart in a sweat soaked box that stinks and shows running over by 15 minutes because there was too much laughter Fringe experience. It was great.

Last year’s show was called Paul Savage is set to self destruct and was really fun. Probably the best “show” show i’ve put together. And then this year’s show is called “Do Gooder” and is about trying to be a better person despite everything falling apart. Too early to say if it’s better yet, but it has some real nice set pieces and i’m building and rewriting and editing. I’m also MCing the late show for AAA at the Pleasance with Sakia Preston and George Zach.

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

Biggest thing is, I bought property. It’s a 41-foot narrowboat I live on and is both the best and worst thing I’ve done this year. There’s a lot in my show this year about narrowboat maintenance and your problems not going away because you transfer them into a leaking tub with a knackered shower tray moored in Birmingham.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a show about trying to do better. I had some heartaches last year. My girlfriend cheated on me, a sitcom I was writing for RTE that we wre told was a lock was cancelled when they made a very similar idea, and I had a couple of friends die in their 30’s. So, it’s sort of about seizing the moment but also that doing so will have consequences.

I tried it out in Leicester, and it went ok, and then it’s been to Brighton and Wandsworth and various other places where I learnt some horrible and useful lessons on marketing and so on. I’m hoping I can get the show funny enough to hang in some sad bits because they have to have load bearing jokes underneath. Otherwise, it’s just pointless self-indulgent mawkishness.

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

I am contractually obliged to say see me at AAA late at the Pleasance (23:00) although you should, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a hot sweatbox of a room and a rowdy late night crowd and those sort of rooms are always fun for me to compere.

Darren Harriott will be great. He always is. He smashed the arse off the gig I run in Birmingham. Laura Lexx I reckon is gonna take a step up this year and cement herself amongst the big dogs. But lovely dogs, like a red setter or something. Rob Kemp’s gonna be very interesting as it’s a show about he cannot possibly follow up on his last show The Elvis Dead which I maintain is maybe the best show I have ever, ever seen. He’s a very funny boy. I always say boy despite the fact he’s 4 years older than me and has a mortgage because he has the sort of childlike glee of a smart kid who likes taking apart things to see how they work. Great when it’s Mechano, bad when it’s a kitten.

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+3 Interview: Snowflake It ‘Til You Make It

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

“Even a cat who has had a stroke is working harder on self-improvement than me.”

WHO: Matt Duwell, Performer/ writer/ producer

WHAT: “Matt Duwell is a snowflake, and he is owning that label (despite thinking labels are pejorative). A show for anyone who has ever been called a snowflake, a libtard or a remoaner. Expect jokes about lighthearted subjects such as the polarisation of political discourse and the rise of nationalism as well as more serious subjects like Netflix and Angel Delight. ‘Razor sharp ability… the boy’s got talent’ **** (MumbleComedy.net).”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ Harry’s Southside – Upstairs Bar (Venue 264) 

WHEN: 22:0 (45 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No this will be my fourth fringe show and my second solo show, after last year’s ‘A Pessimist’s Guide to Being Happy’. More importantly, Edinburgh is my home. I came here for the culture, the people, the views and, yes, the relatively reasonable house prices.

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

I adopted a crippled cat. Watching a cat drag itself up a flight of stairs like a mountaineer whose had too much Buckfast is both the most heartbreaking and heartwarming thing you could possibly see, as well as being a stark reminder that even a cat who has had a stroke is working harder on self-improvement than me.

Tell us about your show.

This show has been written by me and foisted upon the people of Hastings, Brighton and London who seem to be at ease with their status as testing ground for Edinburgh shows. It describes how offended I get with being called easy to take offence. Basically, they are correct for all the wrong reasons.

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

Go see Christopher MacArthur-Boyd. Great guy and the best thing I’ve seen in Scotland comedy wise this year. NB: I haven’t seen a lot. I’ve been watching a crippled cat scale a flight of stairs. I’ve been very busy.

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+3 Interview: Beaker’s Place

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“Taking a show to Edinburgh … is a massive leap into the unknown.”

WHO: Pippa Le Grand, Company Manager

WHAT: “‘You stab ‘em, we slab ‘em!’ Beaker is the meticulous owner of an illegal body disposal service in the cellar of his pub. Deeply affected by the recent demise of his cat Paul, Beaker decides to take his own life. But at the crucial moment, he receives one last urgent delivery. Anxious to complete his own “departure”, Beaker is shocked when the bag begins to move…”

WHERE: theSpace on North Bridge – Argyll Theatre (Venue 36)

WHEN: 12:25 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s our first project as a company, and our first time at Edinburgh! I’ve been as a visitor before, and our Technical Manager, Iz, has worked as part of the crew for productions, but this is a new challenge for all of us!

Tell us about your show.

‘Beaker’s Place’ is Only Lucky Dogs’ first show. It’s an original dark comedy, with the concept by writer James Huxtable and director Michael Saliba. We’re exploring the eternally present questions of life and death through the character of Beaker, the meticulous owner of an illegal body disposal service in the cellar of his pub. Deeply affected by the recent demise of his cat Paul, Beaker decides to take his own life. But at the crucial moment, he receives one last urgent delivery. Anxious to complete his own ‘departure’, Beaker is shocked when the bag begins to move…

Only Lucky Dogs was born in early 2018 as a result of wanting to take a show to the Fringe, and the idea for Beaker’s Place really taking hold of all of us! Myself and Aaron, our Publicity Manager, are producing the show along with our graphic designer and producer for the project, Lucy. We’re all students at Sheffield Uni, with lots of experience acting, directing and producing at the uni’s theatre company, SUTCo. Although, taking a show to Edinburgh from this experience is a massive leap into the unknown (to shamelessly steal the 2018 slogan)!

We previewed the opening of the show back in March at Platform Performance Festival, winning their Best in Theatre Award – that was an incredible boost to our confidence in the show! We’ll be doing a full preview in Sheffield in July too, and we’re really looking forward to getting the reactions (and reviews!) from that.

The future of Beaker’s Place depends a lot on the Edinburgh run, really. We think it’s got great potential and would love to take it to other venues and festivals. Only Lucky Dogs will keep unleashing new writing on Sheffield and beyond, regardless of what happens to Beaker’s Place, though!

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

I’m a bit biased, having come from SUTCo (Sheffield University Theatre Company), so you should definitely watch their wonderful play My Mate Dave Died. Brilliant writing, very funny and charming characters. I’m also a fan of Fat Rascal Theatre, having seen their musical ‘Buzz’ last year at Edinburgh and just loved their sense of humour. Definitely an inspiration for the future of Only Lucky Dogs!

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+3 Interview: Laura Davis: Ghost Machine

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“I still spend a lot of time in the Sainsbury’s looking at all the biscuit products that never made it to Australia.”

WHO: Laura Davis, Comedian

WHAT: “A show about life. Performed by a ghost. For the love of god. Laura Davis pushes into new ground in her internationally acclaimed, multi award-winning show Ghost Machine. Lauded as one of the strongest and most unique comedic voices around, Laura Davis is unconventional, cathartic and exhilaratingly hilarious. Ghost Machine sees audience members returning multiple times to celebrate this darkly honest, constantly surprising, existential extravaganza. Winner: Best Indie Show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe. ‘An original and provocative hour in the company of a unique mind’ **** (List).”

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

WHEN: 17:40 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I came in 2017 for the first time to do my show ‘Cake in the Rain’ at Edinburgh and at Soho Theatre.

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

I moved from Australia where I’ve lived all my life, to London where I’ve lived for six weeks now. I still spend a lot of time in the Sainsbury’s looking at all the biscuit products that never made it to Australia.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and toured this show GHOST MACHINE in 2015 throughout Australia and have been performing it ever since. I also toured it to Kuala Lumpur and it’s very hot dressing up as a ghost in the jungle.

It won best independent show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2015, and Best Comedy Show at Melbourne Fringe.

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

They should go and see Alice Fraser, ETHOS which is the show that I directed this year. They should also go and see James Nokise, over at The Stand.

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+3 Interview: Nick Elleray: It’s Been Emotional

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“Any idiot can book a show for August, starting a relationship with a local shows real commitment to the city.”

WHO: Nick Elleray, Performer

WHAT: “Expat Aussie Nick Elleray has been described as ‘an under-appreciated purveyor of quality downbeat comedy’ (Chortle.co.uk). This is your chance to help remove ‘under’ from that description. Come join Nick as he digs deep into intimacy, masculinity, family and stoned cats. ‘An engaging stand-up with an inventive mind’ (List). ‘Definitely an act that left the audience wanting more’ (Bruce Dessau). Winner of Old Comedian of the Year 2017. As heard on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 Extra.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre – The Little Kirk (Venue 27) 

WHEN: 16:40 (50 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Oh, I’ve been here before, don’t you worry about that. Sure, I’ve done shows, but more importantly, I used to date someone in Edinburgh, so have spent time here outside of Fringe time. Any idiot can book a show for August, starting a relationship with a local shows real commitment to the city.

Tell us about your show.

It’s all by me and me alone. If it stinks, then that’s on me. If it’s a raging hit, I will be humble and say it was luck or the guiding hand of my dead Nan or something like that, but you will know that I will be secretly wallowing in crass self-congratulation.

I’ve been hammering the show into shape in Brighton, London and other southern cities, but it will not be truly fit for human consumption until August. After that, I’m gonna see how the Aussie festivals feel about it.

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

The Delightful Sausage. I loved last year’s show and have just seen a preview of this years and it is better and funnier already.

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+3 Interview: Short & Curly: Young at Start

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“We are more conscious of our age among all the whippersnappers at the fringe.”

WHO: Rebecca, Performer

WHAT: “Curly is convinced that appearing youthful is the answer to success and he will do whatever is necessary to get ‘youth’. Cut a long story short. Short ruins it. If you thought pink custard was good you’ll crap your pants over this!”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance That (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No we have been coming to Edinburgh for many years in various guises but this is Short & Curly’s fifth show in Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

Paul (aka Curly) is turning 40 this August so naturally, we are more conscious of our age among all the whippersnappers at the fringe, he’s panicking about that so we nostalgically take a look back at his memories. They end up a bit warped because Short is interfering with them trying to prove to him that age has no importance as long as you’re still having fun.

It’s a fast-paced, multi-sketch, multi-character show that we’ve crammed as many ideas into it as we could, it aims to be as much fun for the audience as possible.

We write it and produce it together but we’ve been working on the show with Marek Larwood from ‘We are Klang’ as an outside eye.

We were already a couple romantically and then in 2010 we started running a comedy night in London and it seemed only fitting to become the resident sketch act.

We have been previewing the show around the UK. Afterwards, we will probably do the show once more in London and then put it to bed.

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

‘Kill The Beast’ always produce fabulous shows this year it’s called Directors Cut so we’re looking forward to that.

On a beast theme, two of the sketch group Beasts (Ciarán Dowd and Owen Roberts) are coming up with solo shows so we can’t wait to check them out.

You can’t go wrong with Susan Harrison’s; ‘Susan Harrison Is a Bit Weepy’

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+3 Interview: John Hastings: Float Like a Butterfly, John Hastings Like a Bee

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

“I have a director named Paul Bryne but he does not like being spoken about.”

WHO: John Hastings, Comedian

WHAT: “Last year, John Hastings was hit by a car and broke his arm. He then became homeless (his choice) with a long distance girlfriend (her choice) and now has a lot of thoughts on pigeons and bicycles (your choice). Now he’s written this comedy show. A tale of displacement, death and denial (don’t worry, there are jokes too). As seen on Comedy Central.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 20:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope, this is my 7th fringe IN A ROW! I am excited about this one because honestly, I think if anything I am funnier than I was last year.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this silly bill show with all the jokes and trappings all by my lonesome. Well, I have a director named Paul Bryne but he does not like being spoken about so I get to take all the credit. This show is premiering at Edinburgh and everyone I know is excited about the show (because of my begging).

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

I got hit by a car, I became a homeless man. I continue to be in love with myself and my girlfriend.

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

Go see Chris Betts, Ben Target, Carl Donnelly and come to see me again.

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+3 Interview: The Problem With Faye Treacy

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“This is the big one.”

WHO: Faye, Performer

WHAT: “Debut hour (Best Newcomer Musical Comedy Awards 2015; runner-up Bath New Act 2016; as heard on BBC Radio 2/4 Extra). When asked by her little sister for some career advice, Faye realised she’d spent the last half of her 20s trying to make trombone comedy work. Join Faye for an idiosyncratic tale about a South London foster family, why she’s decided she wants to become a step-dad and what it’s like to be quite often the only woman in the band. ‘Treacy’s charm soon wins us round… her one-liners are expertly crafted and sharp’ (List).”

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

WHEN: 19:45 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my first time doing a full hour! I’ve been on shared bills and done a half hr show in the past on the free fringe but this is the big one, which I’m very excited for.

Tell us about your show.

My shows called The Problem With Faye Treacy. I wrote it and it’s about my life growing up in South London with my folks and foster siblings (My mums started to collect more kids than Madonna) and how I made a break for it basically with a trombone into the classical music world. I’m hoping to take it to a few festivals in Australia next year and maybe New Zealand.

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

I previewed with Sarah Keyworth the other week and her shows great! Also I’d say check out Darren Harriott and Harriet Kemsley. I’m a big fan. For a fantastic storyteller and comedian, I’d say Chris Stokes is definitely one to watch too! His new hours hilarious!

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+3 Interview: The Travelling Sisters: Toupé

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“A tap-dancing cactus, a giant diva with a dental malfunction… that kind of thing.”

WHO: Laura Trenerry, Performer

WHAT: “Masterfully combining physical comedy, characters and original music, The Travelling Sisters are ‘insane geniuses of sketch comedy’ (GreatScott.media). This infectious trio conjure characters and twists you won’t see coming. A theme park ride for the soul. Best Comedy Melbourne Fringe 2017. New Zealand Tour Ready Award Melbourne Fringe 2017. Best Newcomer Nominee Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2017.”

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

WHEN: 18:15 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our third time to Edinburgh! We lived in the UK for two years and were lucky enough squeeze in two Ed Fringes. We moved back to Australia last year, but we’ve saved our pennies and we’re coming back!

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

It’s been a total whirlwind since our last fringe. So much has happened. But we made it to the TV alongside the big wigs this year. That was pretty mega for us. Hopefully, we’ll manage to sneak back on again soon.

Tell us about your show.

‘The Travelling Sisters’ is made up of Lucy Fox, Laura Trenerry, and Ell Sachs. We met at uni and have been creating, performing and producing together for four years. As well as working together we’re the best of mates which makes life and performing pretty damn exciting. Our show is a comedy sketch- fast-paced, wig laden, costume-heavy stupidity with a touch of the absurd. A tap-dancing cactus, a giant diva with a dental malfunction… that kind of thing. After Edinburgh, we’re taking it to Buckingham Palace.

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

Laura Davis: Ghost Machine. She is brilliant!

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+3 Interview: James Meehan – Gaz

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“The show is loosely about identity.”

WHO: James Meehan, Comedian

WHAT: “2017. I’m an angry insufferable mess. I don’t leave the flat for six months. 2018. Same. Now I call it working from home. A comedy show for hermits. James Meehan is a comedian and ex-member of Gein’s Family Giftshop. You might have seen him on the telly in Inside No 9 or Drunk Histories, or heard him on BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Out of the Box (Venue 88)

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have been to Edinburgh for the full run every year since 2013.

In 2014 I won the panel prize with the show Funz and Gamez.
In 2014 I was nominated for best newcomer with my (now ex) sketch group Gein’s Family Giftshop.
In 2016 I performed my first solo hour to 5* reviews. (James Meehan – Class Act)
In 2017 I performed my second solo hour (James Meehan – As If I Hadn’t Slept)
This is my third hour.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote my show and am producing it myself.
I hope to tour it afterwards.

The show is loosely about identity and not leaving the flat for 6 months after a torrid old time involving disasterous decisions with work and the people I chose to work with.

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

The Delightful Sausage
Chris Washington
Phil Ellis
Tanjore Restaurant (BYOB)

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