Author Archives: Dan Lentell

EdFringe Talk: Defective Inspector: An American Odyssey

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by.”

WHO: Harrison Cole

WHAT: “Prepare for a hilarious hour of (unconvincing) romance, (sloppy) action and (tenuous) espionage! Don’t miss the debut whirlwind comedy from The Defectors. Richard P Cooper, an eccentric ex-detective, presents his (heavily embellished) exploits on the stage (with mixed results)! He guides the audience through his journey to the USA, grappling with assassination plots and three-legged dogs, while three hapless drama students embody every other questionable character. This laugh-a-minute romp is sure to elate and baffle in equal measure! ‘An utterly endearing romp through the clichés of crime drama… irreverent and irresistible’ **** (LostInTheatreland.co.uk).”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 117) 

WHEN: VARIES (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a company, yes! However, we are a mix of both sparkly-eyed newcomers to the fringe and grizzled veterans with many a highland fling under our belt. Bringing a show to Edinburgh is one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences you will ever have as an artist; from making it, to publicising it, to teching it, to actually performing it. To be at every step of the creative process with a small dedicated team is unlike any other feeling, so once you’re there it almost feels like a bonus when strangers take a chance on your show and (hopefully) love it! (Oh, and we’re also doing all of that for two shows…)

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest thing we’ve learned (for better or for worse), is if you keep developing a show for long enough – some of the jokes or plot threads you started with will become strangely relevant again… so stick to your guns!

Tell us about your show.

The show centres around egocentric ex-Detective, Richard P. Cooper, who is attempting to stage a production of his own semi-autobiographical exploits in his brand new play ‘An American Odyssey’, with the help of three-hapless drama students he has enlisted to play every other questionable character. Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by. We’ve been developing the show since 2022 as The Defectors, who are Daniel Hemsley (performer and producer) and James Darby (producer and sound designer), and after some great responses from outings at various London venues, and the Clapham and Camden Fringes, we finally feel it is Edinburgh ready. We will then be taking it (and the whole double bill) back down South for the Lambeth Fringe on the 30th September at the Golden Goose Theatre!

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

Some other amazing shows you should check out are:

Lil Wenker: BANGTAIL is a rootin’ tootin’ hour of interactive clowning from the hilarious Lil, who is the Baddest Man in Texas…

Snake Boy Takes Manhattan is a brilliant piece of surreal character comedy with inventive sketches and interaction from the amazing Alex Richmond.

Pineapple Princess is a genius love story between a woman and a pineapple, we’ve seen a chunk and it was stupidly funny.

Mattia Sedda: Choin, don’t miss the international actor’s showcase of his great (and very funny) talents.

Will BF: Moon Team IIIV, a fantastic sketch comedian who is exploring the great era the DVD.

Good Boys Good Time, some great character comedy from two very good boys.

The Normal Formal, a brilliant night chock-full of the best alternative comedy acts (with a surreal twist).

Freddie Hayes: The Magic Lady is a spellbinding hour of wonky magic and hilarious character comedy.

And of course, we’d be silly not to suggest our follow-up show, ‘Defective Inspector: A Stitch in Time’, which we will be performing in the same venue and timings but on alternate nights to ‘An American Odyssey’!

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EdFringe Talk: The Comedy Games with Coach Mon

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The power of community has also been highlighted to me over the last year. The kindness and generosity people offer each other, particularly in the arts, is simply wonderful.”

WHO: Monique Warren

WHAT: “After a gold medal run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Coach Mon is pumped for a spectacular sports extravaganza, but her athletes have disappeared! How can The Comedy Games leap ahead with no athletes?! Can you help find them? Skate on over to this Olympic-inspired kid’s clown show filled with music and sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow-motion running race. Your little ones will move, groove and dream, plus you’ll walk away with your very own custom-made medal! Get ready for some serious silliness at this frivolously fun family show.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Studio (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 11:00 (45 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

August holds a lot of firsts for me. First time to Edinburgh, my first EdFringe, the first time working on this show with my wonderful producer Enya Cai and the first time my kids show ‘The Comedy Game with Coach Mon’ will reach international audiences.

As a performer I’ve been part of festivals such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Fringe Festival and New Zealand Fringe Festival. What I love about festivals as both a performer and a punter is the variety of works and perspectives you can see from other artists. There’s such joy and inspiration in seeing other artists do their thing and hearing their stories.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Last year was the premier season of ‘The Comedy Games with Coach Mon’ (an Olympic-inspired kids clown show). After a gold medal run I decided to pack up my life and head to France to study at Ecole Philippe Gaulier to build my clown skills. My understanding of clown has definitely solidified but there’s more learning and absorbing to come for sure!

The power of community has also been highlighted to me over the last year. The kindness and generosity people offer each other, particularly in the arts, is simply wonderful. I am grateful for my community back in Australia and my Gaulier ‘family’ for helping the Coach Mon team get our show to Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

It’s Coach Mon’s biggest dream to coach at a spectacular sports extravaganza. BUT her athletes have disappeared! She almost gives up on the games until she realises the audience members can be her athletes. Throughout the show the audience is invited to participate in this Olympic-inspired kids clown show filled with music and sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow motion running race. Athletes will make their very own custom made medals and partake in a medal ceremony, celebrating their success with colourful scarves, great music and fun dance moves. It’s an interactive sports-themed musical clown show perfect for the whole family and ideal for kids aged 4+.

The Coach Mon team consists of 3 core members hailing from Melbourne, Australia. The writer and performer of the show is me (Monique Warren), Laura Aldous is the director & Enya Cai is the producer. On and off for the past 11 years we’ve collaborated in performing arts education and theatre making spaces, primarily the Australian School of Performing Arts and the Australian Girls’ Choir. As well as being a creative trio, the three of us have been great friends for years, it’s such a joy working with your mates.

‘The Comedy Games with Coach Mon’ premiered at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2023. After our season finishes at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 we’re taking the show on tour throughout Australia, visiting festivals such as Perth Fringe and Adelaide Fringe. We can’t wait!

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

Oh so many fabulous shows! Here are some of the shows I can’t wait to see:

Adults…

Mel & Sam: High Pony – These two QUEENS are hilarious! Their musical comedy is on point.

Cyrano – A gender-flipped retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, I saw a season of this in 2022 and it was HOT! Virginia Gay is a powerhouse.

The Duncan Brothers: Blood Sword – The Duncan Brothers are quirky & silly and their work is hilariously crazy.

Burnout Paradise – Such a fun show to be an audience member of, you are part of the action as 4 actors complete outrageous tasks on treadmills. My director Laura is in this show, she’s one of the superstars in the Ponycam crew.

Mr Cardboard – I’ve seen snippets of this show and Mr Cardboard is a devilishly delightful character. Can’t wait to see more.

Medicine Woman – after her award winning run at Hollywood Fringe I can’t wait to catch this glorious show.

Mel McGlensey is Motor Boat – Mel makes me laugh! I’ll be strapping in for this naughty, nautical show.

End of the World Cabaret – The Bonjour Group have created a wacky show filled with quirky characters. A joyful and playful show!!

Jessica Aszkenasy: BRA SHOW (WIP) – Jessica is a grounded and clever performer. From the bits and pieces I’ve seen of this WIP, it’s both relatable (to people with breasts) and hilarious.

Kids…

The Listies: ROFL – The Listies are funny and very cheeky! I’m ready for a good giggle when I see their show.

Monkeys Everywhere – I’ve seen Gary Starr do a show for adults and it was chaos (in the best way). Can’t wait to see what he has in store for kiddlets.

Best of Edinburgh Fringe for Kids – well if it’s the best then this show sounds like a winner!

Bubba-licious – a beautiful sensory show for babies that sparks joy and wonder.

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EdFringe Talk: I Mostly Blame Myself

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired.”

WHO: Nick Shanman

WHAT: “In 2018, Nick Shanman hired a bunch of his idiot friends to make a ridiculous YouTube pilot… Today, IMBM has over 500 million views worldwide and has found a home performing live monthly shows in NYC. Our shows are a series of dark, weird, hilarious sketches ranging from Disney parodies to historical musicals, to some slightly controversial topics you’ve always wanted to address. Every show is brand new, completely original, and absolutely absurd. Ready to laugh your ass off?”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Other Yin (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! It’s actually my first time in the UK. I know, I’m a loser American. I’ve been around Europe a bit but for some reason the timing just hadn’t worked out yet. Then after performing in NYC for 2 years… a friend tipped us off on how incredible the EdFringe was, and alas, here we are! I actually studied business before pursuing writing / acting so I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired. Kidding. We’re an emotional group. From the application process, to attending webinars, to speaking with friends of friends who have attended the festival, it seems like an absolutely magical experience. Not only to showcase talent, but to witness talent, to meet (and drink) with likeminded individuals, and to be part of once-in-a-lifetime artistic community. We can’t wait to be there!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Oh god. We’ve learned a lot through a series of terrible mistakes. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to stop approaching problems as stresses, but as challenges to overcome and conquer. You are ALWAYS going to have obstacles in your way, shifting your mindset to tackling them as opposed to dreading them is a game changer. A more specific thing I’ve learned is that you can make reallllyyyy dark jokes as long as they are smartly written and come from a sincere place. There’s nothing better than starting our Anne Frank musical sketch, hearing people yell “Oh no!” in the audience, then seeing them tearfully clap at the end. Comedy is about risk. And trust us, it takes a lot of clunkers to strike gold. Last thing I’ve learned is to stop drinking once you’re properly inebriated. This one I haven’t absorbed yet.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is called I Mostly Blame Myself. It’s a series of insane, absurd, hilarious comedic sketches and musicals. Imagine SNL, but on cocaine. I’m the head writer but a few members of our cast write as well! I produce the show alongside my associate producer Kaya Simmons whom I met at university in Boston. He used to pay me in whiskey to write short films for his reel. Needless to say, we got along pretty quickly.

IMBM actually started as a YouTube pilot I was hoping to get picked up for a streaming service, but once I released it, the pandemic happened. When the world opened back up again a lot of theatres in NYC were struggling to get acts fast, so I pitched the show as a live sketch show as opposed to a film. I lied and said my entire cast was in NYC (they were all in LA) so we had to find people fast. Kaya and I linked up again, and we formed a team of rag tag goofballs that all bring something different to the table.

This production premiered at our first touring show in Boston, Massachusetts, and now is going to Edinburgh! Afterwards we hope to hit Madrid in the new year, fingers crossed!

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

We love crazy and weird, and the first show that caught our eye was ’44 Sex Acts in One Week. ‘ Mostly because that sounds impossible. I mean… yeah no I definitely couldn’t do that. But it sounds unbelievably funny and absurd! This is what the festival is all about, seeing things that you have NEVER seen before.

Another one, and very very different, is ‘Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders.’ They had us at singing owls. We love some family-friendly content (since we can’t seem to write it ourselves) and we also adore musicals. The story follows an owl made of wood who just wants to fly with his friends. Are you crying yet? I know I am. I’m not that sensitive I swear.

LEAVE ME ALONE!

Lastly, Timothy Booth’s Manhole caught our attention right away, for obvious reasons. Not only has this American comedian placed in the top three of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, but he also speaks about his crevices with unmatched vigor. Watch the manhole, learn about the manhole, dive deep… into the manhole.

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‘Once Upon a Fairy Tale’ (Bedfringe, 20 & 23 July 2024)

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“Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company have a growing and well-earned reputation for potboilers done proper.”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars (Nae bad)

I suspect that the number of people who taste the differences between a 2022 Argentinian Malbec and a 2021 Tuscan Chianti is smaller than those who claim they can. Still, the vintage and the year matter. It was not until I became a parent that the significance of children’s ages really struck home with me. The difference between a 9-year-old and a 6-year-old can give one vertigo, even when they sprouted in the same vineyard.

This is a problem for families when selecting live no less than streamed media. How do you pick a show that caterers for all tastes? SPOILER ALERT! Sometimes you can’t. TOP TIP! If you are watching a show aimed at younger, simpler cultural palates, you might want to try getting your easily over it aulder kids to watch a show in the same way as they did when they were younger. The youngest children in a Fringe audience aren’t just watching the stage. They are closely observing the reactions and interactions of those around them with a windward eye out for the novel comings and goings of a place which is not at all like their regular haunts.

‘Once Upon A Fairy Tale’ is a 45 minute pantomime-style show aimed at younger years. Once upon a time there lived a girl called Little Red Riding Hood who came across a house in the woods where three bears lived. One day a wolf came along and he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down! Hang on a second, something doesn’t seem right… Can you help un-muddle the fairy tales and set everything straight?

Clearly, Daughter 1.0 (9yrs) is getting far too mature, ancient even, to simply enjoy charming stories, told charmingly, by lovely, charming, and talented people. So we have to find the road less travelled. “Watch how your sisters watch the show,” I confidently advise. “Look at what they are enjoying, when they are really paying attention. Notice how the live creative process relies on real interactions between the actors and the audience. A light bulb goes off. Here’s what Daughter 1.0 wrote in her notebook, the one with Mr. Wolf as voiced by Sam Rockwell on the cover:

“This Summer I went to Beford festival fringe and saw the show once Upon a fairy tale witch wasn’t annything close to my age but was a very fun 45-minute family-friendly production. It was all about three very famous children stories: The three little pigs, Goldielochs and the three bears and Little Red RidingHood. Aswell as watching the performance I watched my little sister [6yrs] (who was very enthusiastic during this performance She loved answearing questions Listening to the characters’s funny accents and the performance Little Red Riding Hood. I thoroughly recomend this show for 2-6 Bubbly and shy children”

Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company have a growing and well-earned reputation for potboilers done proper. Come for the strong performances. Stay, despite a painted backdrop and props set in need of a tiny touch more of Widdershins magic. Get your red riding coats on and go see this memorable vintage of storytelling for little sisters uncorked.

Reviewer: Dan Lentell

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EdFringe Talk: Sell Me: I Am from North Korea

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.”

WHO: Sora Baek

WHAT: “On her 15th birthday, Jisun, a North Korean girl, decides to sell herself to an old man to buy medication for her dying mother. But after risking her life by crossing into China, she learns that her under-developed body is not-sellable. Will she survive as she struggles in a merciless foreign land, where her very existence is illegal? Performed at the U.S. Capitol Center, this powerful and fast-paced solo piece is inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous female North Korean defectors. ‘Excellent… important’ (Henry Song, North Korean Human Rights Activist).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Below (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 12:35 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes this is my first time and I am super excited to travel to Edinburgh, work with the most caring staff ever, and meet open-minded theatre lovers all around the world! I grew up in a very small town in South Korea so this is a huge moment for me. I am just so ready to experience this most amazing festival and get inspired!

I am also bringing my kids so we will be running up the hills and jumping in the puddles in this beautiful city. My son’s into unicycles and I hope to find a unicycle act for him somewhere on the Royal Mile.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

You can only be YOU! I remember crying a lot because I was not able to speak English without a thick accent no matter how hard I tried. I really thought my career was over unless I got rid of my accent. But here I am. I wrote a play in which it made sense for the character to have an accent.
Everything is figureoutable. Just like Ryan Holiday says “Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition”.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it and am producing it.

Inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous North Korean women defectors, “SELL ME: I am from North Korea” is a solo show that follows a North Korean girl, Jisun, who decides to sell herself to an old man to make money for her dying mother. However, after risking everything by crossing into China, she learns that no one wants to buy her and she finds herself on the streets.

In 2018, right after my son was born, I became deeply focused on the stories of North Korean women defectors after reading a book called “Girl with Seven Names” by Hyunseo Lee. The book literally shook my entire system and kept me awake at night. It was challenging to stay creative and find time to work on the piece while taking care of my newborn son. However, this intense urgency to share their incredibly courageous stories with the rest of the world kept me going.

In 2020, I premiered my first solo show, SELL ME: I am from North Korea, at the International Human Rights Festival in New York. During the pandemic, I recorded the show and virtually toured different colleges. I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.

In 2022, I was part of the Pan-Asian Theater Repertory’s festival in New York. Last autumn, I also had the honour to perform at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to call on the Chinese government to stop its forced repatriation policy. Recently, SELL ME was part of Soho Theater Company’s the Lighthouse series in NY.

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

The big shout-outs to all the fellow Asian female artists who make incredible work!

A good friend of mine, Carolyn Castiglis, is bringing her amazing one woman show CHUCK @ Uno Mas

Another wonderful friend of mine, Ricky Sim, is bringing an Asian Queer story “Coming Out to Dead People” @ Assembly Roxy Downstairs

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EdFringe Talk: Mustafa Algiyadi: Almost Legal Alien

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Despite hearing that EdFringe was much bigger than the Brighton Fringe, which I had previously experienced, I couldn’t truly grasp how vast it was until I got there.”

WHO: Mustafa Algiyadi

WHAT: “Libyan Arab stand-up Mustafa Algiyadi – **** (The Voice) – longs to be part of the European way of life but is confronted with some cultural differences that make it confusing, chaotic and sometimes highly inappropriate! If you’re up for picking apart bad habits, religion, meditation, velvet sofas and for learning how to deal with annoying people, then why are you not booking your ticket already?!? ‘A warm and engaging comic’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Hilarious storytelling’ (ThePlaysTheThingUK.com). Approach ducks with caution.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic Nucleus – Just the Sub-Atomic Room (Venue 393) 

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first time debuting my solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I have been to the Fringe before. Last year, I performed a work-in-progress for about a week. While that was an incredible experience, this year marks my first full run with a debut hour.

The atmosphere last year was indescribable. It felt like being in a unique bubble where nothing outside mattered. I was constantly surrounded by creativity, witnessing the amazing work people put forth, which was incredibly inspiring. However, the work-in-progress run was challenging because I hadn’t anticipated the magnitude of the Edinburgh Fringe. Despite hearing that it was much bigger than the Brighton Fringe, which I had previously experienced, I couldn’t truly grasp how vast it was until I got there.

I had a memorable and challenging experience performing for just one audience member, turning it into an intimate conversation over a beer. That showed me how much preparation the Fringe requires. After that run, I realized the need for extensive preparation. I started getting ready back in November and have been continuously working on it. Now, with the festival approaching, it feels like there’s never enough time to finish everything.

Additionally, there was a time when I tried to visit a friend in Edinburgh for her wedding, but I was rejected entry and deported from the UK. This is one of the stories I will be sharing in my show.

The Edinburgh Fringe is unique because of its scale and the sheer energy it demands. The more effort and time you invest, the more rewarding it becomes. There’s no simple checklist to complete; you can always add more to enhance the experience. I’m extremely excited about this journey.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

As I mentioned earlier, preparation is key, and I made sure to start early so I wouldn’t leave things to the last minute. Yet, it always feels like there’s more to do.

Another significant lesson is the importance of a strong storyline. Seeing how crucial it is in various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe inspired me to incorporate a compelling narrative into my own show. Ensuring there’s a captivating thread for the audience to follow has been a major focus, and I’m still working on perfecting that.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and produced the show myself. The premiere will be at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. I’ve done various work-in-progress performances at the Brighton Fringe this year and a few previews in Malta and Munich. I also have two more previews coming up in London right before the Fringe.

I’m planning to tour with the show and am already organizing a tour for autumn and winter across Europe. I will be visiting major cities like Amsterdam, Zurich, Berlin, Frankfurt, and many others across the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

During the Edinburgh Fringe, I’m hoping to connect with an industry partner that can help me organise a UK tour. Since I’m not based in the UK, I need support to navigate this process. Touring the UK in 2025, perhaps between winter and spring, would be a dream. So, if anyone reading this can help, please reach out!

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

Oh my god, I have such a long list of recommendations! But if I were to choose a few, I’d start with two of the most mind-boggling and exciting shows I’ve seen at the Fringe. First is Stamptown, a variety show that features different acts, including clowns and sketches, not just classical stand-up comedy. It’s a wonderful comedy show with a host who does a bit of anti-comedy, and the acts are just fantastic.

The second show is The Kaye Hole Hosted by Reuben Kaye. This is a queer-oriented variety show with Ruben Kaye larger-than-life persona as the host. His performance is a blend of singing, stand-up, and cabaret, and it’s incredible to see the creative energy he brings to the stage. The acts in this show are also outstanding.

One of the acts that often features in both these variety shows is Natalie Palamedis, a clown from LA. She’s bringing her show WEER to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, and I highly recommend seeing her. She’s off her mind in the best way imaginable, and it’s a treat to watch her perform live.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Lara Ricote’s new show, Little Tiny Wet Show (Baptism). I saw her work-in-progress last year, and it was very funny, so I’m excited to see the final version. Another performer I’m excited about is Chloe Petts. Her work-in-progress at the Brighton Fringe was hilarious, and I can’t wait to see the finished show.

Janine Harouni is another must-see. If you haven’t seen her, you have to go. She’s bringing Manoushe, the show that was nominated last year. She performed it while pregnant, and although I missed the final show, I saw two work-in-progress performances, and they were amazing and hilarious.

I’m also excited to see Kanan Gill, an Indian comedian with a special on YouTube. He’s incredibly precise with his words, and every line feels carefully crafted. His new show at the Fringe is something I’m really looking forward to.

Additionally, I highly recommend Mike Rice, an Irish comedian who is very, very funny. I saw two of his shows last year, and he is bringing a new hour this year, and I would highly recommend seeing him.

There are so many other acts I’m interested in, but these are some of the highlights.

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EdFringe Talk: Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Edinburgh Fringe has always been a bucket list.”

WHO: Tom Hearn

WHAT: “It’s an Edinburgh debut for viral comedian Tom Hearn! This Canadian Comedy Award winner brings his comedic prowess to the Fringe stage, with jaw-dropping musical performances and gag-worthy original characters. This fabulous extravaganza also includes an ensemble of iconic impressions like Martha Stewart, James Corden and of course Ina Garten. With over 500K followers and 130 million views, Tom is one of of The Best Queer TikTok Creators To Follow In 2023 (ET Canada). Tom is not to be missed fresh off sold-out shows in Toronto and Off-Broadway’s Joe’s Pub.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Theatre 1 (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 22:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my Edinburgh debut…how fabulous is that!? The dream of my life has always been to tour my comedy. I’ve performed in some pretty cool places in North America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Philadelphia, San Fransisco and so many others), but Edinburgh Fringe has always been a bucket list for me ever since my high school in Canada would fundraise and go every couple of years. They never went during my years at Hampton High School, then they did the year after I graduated (if only I had failed math for the second time)!

I have participated in many Fringe festivals in North America and I cannot wait to experience the spirit of the Fringe across the pond…the Granddaddy of Fringes, if you will.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

One of the key things I’ve learned over YEARS of touring is… TECH. In my new show, I control all the tech live on stage through a series of buttons and petals. That includes lights, SFX and video. I never leave the stage! Performing comedy solo is all about timing and this why I’ve taken the power of tech into my hands., especially in this current show because there are a lot of improvised segments.

Tell us about your show.

My show ‘How Fabulous is That?!’ is a non-stop comedy extravaganza. The 45 minutes is full of original musical numbers, sickening characters, gay AF stand-up and my iconic impressions that have been viewed OVER 150 MILLION TIMES ONLINE! If that doesn’t get your heart BEATING… I wear a mesh top for the entire show.

How Fabulous is That?! is my third solo show. I debuted the show this April in Toronto and have been touring North America in partnership with LIVE NATION. My abridged version of the show won the ‘Producers Pick’ at the Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival. Once EdFringe comes to a close, I’ll be taking the show to New York, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Provincetown!

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

After you see my show, you gotta check out my sister show — Ajahnis Charley’s THOTS & PRAYERS. I had the pleasure of directing the debut and remount of the this fantastic sketch comedy show. THOTS & PRAYERS has gone on to win ‘Producers Pick’ at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and the ‘Best of the Fest’ at Montreal Sketchfest!

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‘Mini Mozart – Babies Class’ (Bedfringe, 21 July 2024)

Posted in 4*, Bedfringe 2024, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

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“‘Does exactly what it says on the tin, delivering a dose of golden sunsound as pleasing as any since Orpheus rhymed Calliope with ‘my way’.”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars (Outstanding)

Children don’t learn by osmosis, it’s the worst thing about them. Put a child in a room full of fine art, leave them to their own distracted devices and they will emerge no more educated or insightful than before they went in. How annoying is that? Turns out the path to understanding is not like those moving walkways at airports, you can’t just stand still and reasonably expect to arrive somewhere. BUT a good guide through the wilderness, a smart trainer, or an expert storyteller can make all the difference in terms of maximising the distance covered by the same effort. Interactivity and active listening are mission-critical to cognitive development.

‘Mini Mozart’ is a franchised method and educational mindset as much as it is any individual show. It was created by Clare-Louise Shaw in 2005. It is the ongoing culmination of 20+ years of experience combining musicianship, presenting & parenting. A product of Uppingham School and Berklee College of Music in the USA, the holder of a music degree from Newcastle University, Clare went on to join BBC Music. You might recognise her from her onscreen work in ‘BBC Young Musician’ of the Year and ‘The Proms’ or from her time as a singer at Disneyland Paris. It was during her first maternity leave, in 2005, that Clare was “hit by the clarity stick.” Knowing how much her infant son loved it when she played the violin, clarinet, or piano and remembering the same look of enchantment on the children’s faces at Disney, Clare got her NCT group and instruments together with a piano accompanist and ‘Mini Mozart’ was born.

We enter to discover that our presenters today are Andrew on piano and Lottie on everything else. If that piper chap in Hamyln had a twin sister, Bedford’s own Lottie Bagnall might be her. She seamlessly gathers the children always shepherding, never leading. At no point do the children or their adults, seem bossed. With my school governor’s hat on, I see a smart, sensitive, sensory curriculum being mindfully delivered with a confidently light touch. This knowledge-rich content is not only substantial, it is massively entertaining for young and auld alike. Lottie’s not especially secret superpower is to make newcomers (including my girls) feel as welcome and included as the families she sees at her weekly sessions.

As immersive as a lavender bubble bath after an afternoon spent coal mining, as absorbing as a Sahara sea sponge, as gentle as the mistral is by comparison with the supersonic methane winds of Neptune – ‘Mini Mozart’ does exactly what it says on the tin, delivering a dose of golden sunsound as pleasing as any since Orpheus rhymed Calliope with ‘my way’.

In her Bedfringe notebook – the one with a cartoon of Richard Nixon carrying Louis Armstrong’s luggage through customs drawn on the inside cover – Daughter 1.0 (9yrs) wrote:

“I went to Bedford Festival Fringe this summer and went to Mini Mozart with my sisters [6yrs and 2yrs]. It was mostly aimed at babies or toddlers beetween 0 and 4 but even so I realy enjoyed it. It was all about the story of the three little pigs with violins, violas and clarenets and a piano! I realy enjoyed playing with rattles, giants scrunchies, parachutes and singing lots of song My littlest sister said she realy enjoyed it and so did I!”

Come for the touchy-feely encounters with strings and clarinet buttons. Stay despite the scary Peter and the Wolf puppet – Clare says he’s fine, but they all say that about their wolf puppets don’t they!? – leave having heard the finest versions of ‘Wheels on the Bus’, ‘I’m a Little Teapot’, and ‘Sleeping Bunnies’ you’re ever likely to hear. Get your evening tailcoats on and go see this!

Reviewer: Dan Lentell

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EdFringe Talk: That’s Not My Name

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“This show has been evolving for two years now and I guess it seemed like a nice way to kill it off. You know, celebrate it’s due demise at the festival of all festivals.”

WHO: Sammy Trotman

WHAT: “This is not a show about mental health. This is a disorder. Is it rehearsed? That depends. Scripted? Half. Improvised? Absolutely not. Is it a play? No it’s not a f*cking play. F*ck off. My cousin in christ, this is a borderline comedy. ‘Falls into almost every category of art, or none of it: its own individual masterpiece of mess’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Hilarious’ ***** (LostInTheatreland.com). ‘Essential’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).”

WHERE: ZOO Southside – Studio (Venue 82) 

WHEN: 20:00 (75 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes it is going to be our first time. We’re a little nervous. It seemed like a good idea to go to Edinburgh, because isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? This show has been evolving for two years now and I guess it seemed like a nice way to kill it off. You know, celebrate it’s due demise at the festival of all festivals.

We’ve done Brighton Fringe twice with this show, as well as Greater Manchester Fringe once. I guess it really brings home how lucky we are as a production and team to have the resources we do to make this work amidst the uncertainty of Festivals. That said, Manchester was an absolute blast. They were ludicrously supportive.

But they are wonderful places to meet fellow artists and explore new work. I love being shocked by art, and there’s no better place to find the weird and wonderful than at Fringes.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve learned not to take criticism personally. That said, I’ve definitely not absorbed it but I’m getting there. The show is highly controversial and we’ve had walkouts during a few this year. If that had happened in 2023 I think I would have changed my name and left the country. I don’t like upsetting people but I’m trying to tell myself that ‘good’ art is divisive.

I’ve also learned that Aptamil is a drastically underrated hair product. It’s better than salt spray. I couldn’t recommend it more for full volume curls. My hair has been living it’s best life since we introduced an Aptamil shower mid-show.

Tell us about your show.

The show is really difficult to explain and that isn’t on purpose. It’s a lived experience of madness on a stage, and ‘madness’ is hard to decipher else it wouldn’t be madness, right?

I wrote it a couple of years ago – and it’s a collection of different forms of ‘writing’ that I found easiest to express myself with at the time. I smashed together all these different individual skits – stand-up, sketch and songs – which all ended up working together to reject the personality disorder diagnosis.

I met our director, Jake, whilst working in a pub and we became anxious little friends. For some reason despite not knowing him for too long, I thought he’d get what I’d written. So I pretty much forced him to listen to me reel off jokes about my brain for an hour and the rest was history. Jake and I then started doing the show together on whims and changing it up every time we did.

On one of our runs I needed a technician last minute so I cornered my friend Scott (I have a habit of making people do things they don’t realise they want to) who is a landscape gardener and musician. I don’t know why I assumed he knew how to work a lighting desk, but I would be discrediting him if I said he didn’t because despite never using one before that show he smashed it. And he’s continued smashing it ever since. It’s kind of lovely in a way that we’ve all learned on the job and managed to make what we have and grow in our own right. The three of us called ourselves Covered in Jam because we realised that was how you get taken seriously in this life and got venues to reply to your emails. So the three of us (Covered in Jam) are the original creators and producers.

Along the way I happened to meet Stephen Bailey over at ASYLUM ARTS (Surfacing, It’s a MotherF*cking Pleasure) who wrote our Arts Council bid for us (successfully!) and took over producing the show from CIJ for the UK Tour this year. I was exhausted at this point & so grateful for Stephen taking the load. We wouldn’t be where we are without the help of ASYLUM. We’ve since performed the show around the Uk and Wales, selling out 7 venues respectively including The Camden People’s Theatre, Wales Millenium Centre, Brighton and Manchester Fringes. I’m grateful to have Stephen’s continued support during Edinburgh despite the fact CIJ now have the production reigns again.

We are also working closely with Brightmouth Production run by artists and collaborators Nathan and Theo who worked as Associate Producers on the UK tour and are helping us produce the show in Edinburgh too.

I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such cool people. It’s really crazy how the last 24 months have turned out.

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

Okay top five from me to you:

ALL THE MEN ARE GOING TO HATE ME by Maria Telkinoff over at Underbelly. Saw it at Brighton, it’s like if Bridget Jones and Rupi Kaur had a love child with ADHD. Chefs kiss.

TESTO by Wet Mess at Zoo Southside (main hall) 11-25th Aug. It’s part of the Here and Now Showcase, sounds f*cking animalistic and mind bendy and I need it. Also though, wait – so You Heard Me by Luca Rutherford is also part of H&N and ALSO at Zoo – that’s another one I want to watch – it looks fierce and I’m slightly scared of it.

NEUROCHATTER by Sara Harvey (Agony Autie) at Surgeons Hall. It’s on from the 19th-23rd Aug. I haven’t seen the show yet but I know it’s about the construct of Dissociative Identity Disorder and brings to light the harm of Psychiatric trauma. Go and support more mad artists!

LOOK AFTER YOUR KNEES by Natalie Bellingham over at The Pleasance 31st Jul – 26th Aug. I have a significantly long list of things I regret during my life so far and one of those things is not looking after my knees.

MANIKIN by working-class theatre co Saltire Sky over at the Wee Red Cross. The show is a collab with the British Obesity society and seeks to challenge the stigma and call out society’s relationship with it. And basically, I think that’s really f*cking important and should be seen.

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EdFringe Talk: The Popess: Instructions for Freedom

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The stakes are higher when you are responsible for every aspect of the show, from marketing and logistics to ensuring the performance itself is polished.”

WHO: Elena

WHAT: “Italy, 13th Century – the Guglielmites heretical sect causes havoc in Milan. Their leader, Guglielma of Bohemia, believed to be the second coming of the Holy Spirit, appoints Sister Maifreda, indeed another woman, as her Popess. How dare two women proclaim themselves leaders and, worse, herald a new female-led era where only women could save mankind from damnation? The Popess is a dark comedy solo-show unravelling the mystery of a true early feminist movement in the Italian misogynistic religious history, investigating the discrepancies between religion, faith and power and, ultimately, the meaning of freedom.”

WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Carbon – Room 2 (Venue 180) 

WHEN: 14:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time at the Edinburgh Fringe. My journey with the festival began in 2015 when I was cast in someone else’s show, which gave me a first-hand taste of the vibrant and chaotic energy of the Fringe. In 2022, I returned with my first solo show, Clara: Sex, Love and Classical Music, and had the privilege to perform at the wonderful Pianodrome. This year, I am excited to bring The Popess, my latest play.

As a performer, the Fringe is both exciting and exhausting. When I was part of someone else’s show, I focused solely on my performance and handing out flyers, without the added pressures of production. However, bringing my own solo show in 2022 introduced me to the challenges of being both a creative and a producer. The stakes are higher when you are responsible for every aspect of the show, from marketing and logistics to ensuring the performance itself is polished. The experience is hugely rewarding, though. Seeing your vision come to life and reaching out to such a diverse audience is incredibly fulfilling.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

After a great 2022 Fringe run, I took a year off from festival life in 2023 to focus on finishing writing the second show. From previous editions, I would say that valuable lessons I’ve learned are: eat and sleep well, support fellow performers in any way you can, attend the Meet the Media event and try not to break any limb!

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this new dark-comedy solo show, The Popess, after a couple of years of research. Initially, I was fascinated by the theme of witch hunt, and wanted to explore an Italian subject, given my heritage. I spent months delving into historical sources and then, unintentionally, I stumbled upon the incredible story of Sister Maifreda Pirovano, connected to the influential Visconti family, who performed masses, gave communion, and preached in Milan during the late 13th century. It wasn’t a legend of a woman disguising herself as pope, but real woman who single-handedly went for what she wanted!

Maifreda was assigned the role of Popess by Guglielma of Bohemia, who was believed to be the second coming of the Holy Spirit and together heralded a new female led era. This discovery left me flabbergasted: I had found my story.

Once I had my topic, it took another year of research and scribbling, and devising with the wonderful director Colin Watkeys. We had a work-in-progress performance in June 2023, followed by another year of editing and refining the show. The Popess finally premiered at the Wandsworth Arts Fringe in June 2024.

Following Edinburgh, the show will be performed in London at The Glitch for the Lambeth Fringe on September 21 and October 6, and then in Catania from October 17-20.

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

I can recommend some great shows and performers at the festivals that you shouldn’t miss!
Chopped Liver & Unions at Paradise in Augustines by the stunning Lottie Walker (Bluefire Theatre Company). This solo show tells the story of Sara Wesker, a trade unionist who fought tirelessly to improve the conditions of female workers in London’s East End. Sara Wesker is another remarkable woman who made history but was practically erased from the official collective memory. The show is beautifully written and delivered by Lottie, who brings to life the complex portrait of a woman with purpose and vision.

Trust Me, I Am a Comedian by Stefania Licari at the Underbelly. This stand-up show is more than just a comedy act; it has the power to make you question certain aspects of today’s way of life. Drawing from her diverse life experiences as a medical doctor, artist, and migrant, Stefania brings a unique and multifaceted perspective to the comedy stage, ensuring her performance is always fresh and unpredictable.

These shows not only entertain but also provoke thought and inspire, much like I hope The Popess will. Supporting fellow artists enriches the festival experience, and I think it’s the tenet of what we do. As Sara Wesker sings: Solidarity forever!

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