Author Archives: Dan Lentell

EdFringe Talk: Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“In 2023, I woman a approached scolded me for having flyers at all (it’s true that they are horrible for our environment), at which point, I told her I didn’t plan on giving it to her, it was merely a visual aid and could I please tell her about our show. She came and loved it!”

WHO: Penny Cole

WHAT: “Intrigue. Betrayal. Unconsummated love. Danger. Step into the world of Elizabeth I as she navigates the stormy waters of late 16th-century England. Ascending the English throne in a vibrant but turbulent time she was a brilliant and canny stateswoman, politician and ruler whose own letters provide a captivating peek into her inner thoughts, desires, heartaches, fears, doubts and joys. Intertwined with speeches from the plays of Shakespeare, the letters of the Virgin Queen paint a unique portrait of this remarkable and complex woman.”

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

WHEN: 13:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is not my first time to Edinburgh. I started bringing students from the University of Colorado in 2001 and have since attended multiple fringe festivals over the years as producer, director and audience member. In 2019 I formed Flying Solo! Presents to promote and support new American work and emerging American artists on the international stage, i.e. Edinburgh, although we also perform in Denver (Colorado is home) and New York. Edfringe is the most inspiring, exciting, mind expanding experience I have ever had, allowing me to learn so much about theatre, performance, and humans. It can also, at times be a soul sucking experience when you are playing to an audience of one, with no reviewers in sight and no one will take your flyer. Those are the times you find out just how resilient you are and how to make a great show for all audiences, no matter the size. As a small company the community we build throughout fringe is truly special. I love talking to other performers and companies about their shows and going to see them. I so appreciate how many of us support each other in a multitude of ways. Every year, I make new friends, have my mind blown by new work, and appreciate our art more and more.

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

Hoo boy! So many lessons over the years, some still to be integrated! I learned in 2019 I need the help of a publicist! I can write press releases but the daunting task of sending out 100s of them and following up is not my strong suit, and somehow I become tongue tied when pitching my show to reviewers. In 2020 and 2021 I learned how to produce virtual shows, prefer not to do that again any time soon, I live for the live audience interaction. In 2022 I learned what I call focused flyering. Instead of dealing out our flyers like a deck of cards, I engage in conversation, sometimes lengthy talks, with fringe goers from across the globe. I don’t give out a flyer unless someone is honestly interested in us. In 2023, I woman a approached scolded me for having flyers at all (it’s true that they are horrible for our environment), at which point, I told her I didn’t plan on giving it to her, it was merely a visual aid and could I please tell her about our show. She came and loved it! This year I am working on creating more connections with other companies pre-fringe and committing to cross-promoting in unique ways.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is about the Tudor Queen of England who cut off Mary Queen of Scots head, Elizabeth I. Can’t wait to have a Scottish audience! Elizabeth never traveled to Scotland during her lifetime but she had a tremendous influence on the governance of Scotland and the ultimate creation of the United Kingdom. The text, created by Elizabethan scholar, Carole Levin and performer, Tammy Meneghini, is taken directly from Elizabeth I’s letters, hence “In Her Own Words”, as well as from letters from Mary Stuart, Robert Dudley, and the Spanish Ambassador. Elizabeth was a great fan of Shakespeare so many speeches from his plays are interwoven into the text as well. It is a unique window into the Elizabeth the woman as well as the Queen that I think will surprise you. The script was originally created to celebrate a traveling exhibit of the first Folio. The play toured in 2019 as a two-hander. It has been revised as a solo show which previewed at the Denver Fringe this June and after further revisions will preview for 2 performances in New York before we land in Edinburgh. While in Edinburgh we are going to begin the process of creating a companion piece about Mary Queen of Scots, to ultimately play in rep with Elizabeth I in the future.

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

So many!! I have really eclectic tastes and will be seeing dance, music, and circus as well as theatre. Here are just a few highlights:

Recent Cutbacks is producing Hold Onto Your Butts, a shot by shot parody of Jurassic Park, the movie, performed in 60 minutes by two actors and a Foley artist. I had the pleasure of seeing the company in NY years ago and thought then their work was a perfect fit with Edfringe. This is their first year in Edinburgh and you’ll love them, they are so talented and funny!

Square Product Theatre based in Boulder, Colorado is also coming to the fringe for the first time. Their show, Things We Will Miss, is a personal meditation on the climate crisis. Their story telling is non-linear, driven by light, sound, and images creating a powerful and visceral experience. Their work is lyrical, challenging, and thought-provoking. The climate crisis impacts all of us and we must pay attention.

I can’t wait to see June Carter Cash, The Woman, Her Music and Me, produced by Grid Iron (one of my all time favorite companies) and the National Theatre of Scotland. The quality of the work these two companies have produced over the years means I have rarely been disappointed in anything I’ve seen. I also think there are some parallels to be found between Elizabeth and June in that they were daughters of ultra famous fathers who followed in their Dad’s footsteps to emerge as successful leaders/musicians in their own rights.

Banned the Musical by April Alsup Productions, another Colorado based company is a new musical that follows a group of misfits as prepare a new production all the while navigating the divisive narrative around gender norms. Timely topic, new music, and a committed company will make this a must see. I missed their show last year as they performed at the same time we did but this year you’ll see me in their audience at last.

Come and find me in front of theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, everyday but Sundays, at 1:00 pm (13:00) and tell me about your show, I’d love to see it, seriously!

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EdFringe Talk: Broken Planet: The Absurd Cabaret of Apocalyptic Proportions

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“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to tour the world with the Blue Man Group.”

WHO: Callum Grant

WHAT: “A subversive live experience developed by artists from around the globe. Despite ever-evolving digital connection our world is more divided than ever. Broken Planet is here to reconnect us, to put the humility back into humanity, to provide the space for rediscovering the good in everyone and everything around us. Embrace imperfections with the interactive and uplifting power of silly. Join Clown God and an array of wonderfully weird guests for this unique celebration blending comedy, circus, indie music and the ridiculous… before it’s too late. Come save the world!”

WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aquila – studio (Venue 21) 

WHEN: 18:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Ever since I was young, Edinburgh’s beauty, character, and views have charmed me. Climbing Arthur’s Seat, scraping my back on the flumes at the Commonwealth Pool, singing after hours at the Royal Oak pub, and the lump in my throat I still get hearing the tale of Greyfriars Bobby.

In 2005, I studied contemporary theatre at the RSC and took part in a student performance art show at Fringe, which was an absolute hoot!

Since then, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to tour the world with the Blue Man Group.

Now, I’m setting foot back on stage in my homeland for the first time since those early days.
I’ve developed an original show, “Broken Planet,” and there’s no better way to bring it kicking and screaming into existence than at the Edinburgh Fringe – the ultimate performing arts event.

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

I’ve learned so much in the past year. This is our first Fringe, and developing and producing a show has felt like a university course all its own. From editing material based on audience engagement to refining pieces down to their essence while keeping the show on track, it’s been an intense learning time.

Not to mention all the extra-curricular tasks: graphic design, online marketing, creating budgets, navigating group dynamics, rewiring pedal boards, and even forcing myself to do stand-up comedy for the first time- with mixed results.

It doesn’t stop, but it’s mostly fun.

One crucial lesson I’ve learned is the importance of people.

The community, the team, and the group are the most important aspects of this process. Their support, collaboration, and shared passion make all the difference.

Oh, and never try to eat a pizza in front of people who don’t have their own pizza!

Tell us about your show.

“Broken Planet” is an absurd cabaret-style variety show featuring hilarious, weird characters, unique live-looping indie music, and inflatable dinosaurs.

It strives to get people talking again, to find common ground, and to laugh at our differences.
I’ve always been baffled by our tribalism—ever since I switched from skiing to snowboarding and suddenly found myself at odds with skiing friends. It’s bananas how we can become so divided over the smallest things, like whether pineapple belongs on pizza or if cats are better than dogs.

We seem to live in a world where people are quick to pick sides and slow to understand each other, highlighting our growing inability to empathise with other ways of thinking.

This is why I think its important to get over our differences, by laughing at our quirks and celebrating our shared humanity. That’s what we’re trying to do with “Broken Planet.”

The concept and much of the writing came from me, but this has been a very collaborative process. Starting as a tiny apartment show and growing into larger venues around Chicago, we’ve had amazing artists volunteer and join along the way, developing fresh acts like Srg. Lt. Love Doctor, Mothman, the Well Balanced Fathers and Nerf Karaoke.

We are super excited to be partnering with ‘Rhymes With Purple’ for our production here in Edinburgh, and we hope to tour festivals and beyond after our Fringe run.

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

Rat Mass. This is a must see, I have been incredibly lucky to witness the growth and evolution of Rat Mass as its grown in Chicago. It is a hilarious, beautiful subversive show about rats and humans, and rats.Go join the cult!

Also Tweedy’s Massive Circus is one I can’t wait to catch, I’ve caught snippets of Tweedy online and I simply cannot wait to giggle in person finally!

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EdFringe Talk: Bad Clowns: HOSTAGE

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“There’s no better feeling than when the streets are packed with lovely potential audience members and a rotating cast of different acapella groups.”

WHO: The Bad Clowns

WHAT: “It is the opening night of the Fringe theatre show The Worrisome Troubles of Timothy Potts. However, the playwright has escaped from prison to see his “masterpiece”. He takes control of the show and audience! Are you ready to be taken HOSTAGE? ‘Slick, briskly paced and wonderfully anarchic production’ ***** (LondonTheatre1.com). ‘Witty and entertaining’ ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). ‘Fast-paced hour of idiotic nonsense’ **** (Daily Express). ‘Takes high-concept comedy to new and perilous heights’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Fast-paced hour of delectable silliness’ **** (ThreeWeeks).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Nip (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Unfortunately not. This is our fifth time at the EdFringe, but like all professional comedians we don’t count the first three. We can’t wait to return to the absolute chaos that is the EdFringe. There’s no better feeling than when the streets are packed with lovely potential audience members and a rotating cast of different acapella groups.

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

Every time we look at the mirror (and yes, we do that collectively as a group of 3), we realise how poorly we are aging. But that’s okay, because we all looked amazing to begin with.

Tell us about your show.

The show was actually written by three up and coming playwrights. 33.3% of the credit must go to the acclaimed Sam Walls. Another third must go to the wonderful John Bond. And finally, 3/10 of the glory must lie at the feet of the controversial Christian Dart. Coincidentally, they are the 3 members of the Bad Clowns. During the show, audience members will experience a shoddy, poorly put together theatre play. But fear not! The show quickly gets taken over by a madman with a gun – and he also takes over the audience!

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

We are actually bringing two further shows to the Fringe this year – Bad Clowns and Good Friends (a comedy compilation every Friday and Saturday) and Christian Dart: Bigger than the Christmas Turkey (the solo show of one of the lads – it’s 20 minutes after us!). But we’d also like to plug the wonderful Will Sebag with Will of the People, Katie Pritchard with I Kiss the Music, and Sam Dodgshon with Memory is Full. They’re all hilarious and cool.

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EdFringe Talk: Love’s Concordia Bar

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“I can’t don’t think I can express in words how excited I am!!! I am obsessed with theatre, and this is THE event for the theatre-obsessed.”

WHO: Edoardo Tesio

WHAT: “Imagine a bar owned by Love itself. Only people who are in love are allowed in. A couple of young lovers enter the bar. After sultry musical and dance performances, and after meeting many of the guests embodying different types of love, the lovers realise that once someone enters the bar – once someone falls in love – it is hard to get out of it because romantic love can become addictive. Sultry performances. Obsession. Purity. Sex. Are you ready to enter Love’s Concordia Bar?”

WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aquila – studio (Venue 117) 

WHEN: VARIES (90 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, it is! It’s the first time for all of us in the theater company, Theater Company della Luna— though we have been planning this adventure for over a year now. I mean, Fringe is such a huge opportunity, not just to share work, but to see it. It’s something that I personally have always wanted to do, and I am beyond thrilled to finally make it happen. And it took a lot of planning— not only the fundraising part, but the convincing people that this crazy idea would be worth it! Our theater company came together on its own, we were just a few friends meeting at NYU who all came from different countries across the world. I mean, I’m from Italy, one of us is from Dubai, one of us is from Japan… everyone from the United States is from somewhere different. And we all have different things we specialize in, which is what I think makes us so strong as a group— but the fact that we are all international always makes the logistical part of what we do a challenge. Coordinating everything amongst ourselves, and then getting our incredible actors on board was no small feat, but after a little over a year of planning, it’s finally happening!!! And honestly, I can’t don’t think I can express in words how excited I am!!! I am obsessed with theatre, and this is THE event for the theatre-obsessed.

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

2023 was a year full of ups and downs, but I think the biggest thing I personally have been thinking about recently is the necessity of saying “yes” to yourself. In this industry, in the arts, It can be so easy to feel discouraged at times, or wonder, “Will my ideas work? Can these huge projects I am envisioning I have actually be as big as I want them to be?” But the answer is yes, of course, if only you say “yes” to yourself, without worrying too much about the criticisms of others. Making art is supposed to be fun, and at the end of the day, nobody knows your artistic vision better than you do. And some of the best ideas come from taking risks. I mean, 9 times out of 10, whenever I, or someone else on the team was faced with a risky idea- an idea that we were scared might be “too silly” or “too sexy” “too cringe” or “too much”— the risky thing has been the thing the audience liked most, and the thing we had the most fun doing! I mean, as much as we might want to, we artists can’t read the minds of the audience— so even though it’s hard sometimes, we HAVE to stand strong, and have minds of our own. So many of the jokes in “Love’s Concordia Bar” are just things that we personally thought were funny, or interesting… if they resonated with us, maybe they’ll resonate with others. I am so proud of the work I am doing currently, following my gut and my imagination…. and I know that this is just the beginning, and there is so much more incredible work to come!

Tell us about your show.

Our show is called Love’s Concordia Bar. I co-wrote and produced it with Marjorie Murillo, and the all-original pop soundtrack was written by Olivia Amicangioli. Costumes by Tomoka Takahashi, choreography by Bridget Spencer (that’s Theater Company Della Luna!) This version of the show is debuting for the very first time at Fringe, but we did workshop a different version of this same show- a draft of the same concept, a bar owned by Love Itself- in New York City in 2022. Since then, we have entirely re-written the script, and some of the music has been re-imagined, but the idea is the same: once you fall in Love, it’s not easy to get out of it. I think it’s something a lot of people can relate to, and Love as a broader topic is something everyone has to engage with, one way or another. Whatever your personal relationship to Love, it’s not really something you can escape, societally. So we had people write letters about what Love meant to them, and looked into different names for all different kinds of Love, and from that, made up these insane larger-than-life characters, who we’ve all since become very emotionally attached to. Because now they’re more than concepts, they’ve become complicated people, too… people are complicated!! That’s why we are trying to produce this show on a larger scale, to be honest: because it’s not just a show, it’s a conversation. A very fun, flashy, sexy and burlesque-y conversation!!! We want to make you think, AND we want to make you dance.

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

With this being our first Fringe, I’ll admit I am not as familiar with the other people putting on shows this year as I would like to be— but there are a few shows I can definitely, confidently recommend, including some of my former classmates from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, whose work I personally cannot wait to see!

Number one is Gianna Milici’s musical comedy “Pretty Delusional”, as well as Catrin Ody’s “Sent From My iPhone”, which are both going up at @theSpaceUK . Gianna and Catrin are both incredible artists, and I promise you would be doing yourself a disservice by skipping out on catching their work.

As well, I would recommend the “Non-Player Character: Live Virtual Reality Musical” by Brendan Bradley, Maurice Soque Jr, and Michael Morran. It’s an interactive show, combining virtual reality with theater, which I think is such a cool concept! So many people have been innovating the possibilities of theater lately, and I am always in awe of anyone who finds new ways to stretch its limits.

But the show I am looking forward to most right now though is Tit Swingers by Le Gasp! Productions. We just saw one of Le Gasp’s other shows, Julie The Musical in London, and it was fantastic. Such amazing musicians, hilarious comedy, and such an interesting story!!! If you don’t know who Julie d’Aubigny, it’s worth looking into! I can only imagine what other great stories they have to tell. But mostly, I can’t wait to discover brand new shows and artists I haven’t heard of before. There are so many! It’s going to be a dream come true.

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EdFringe Talk: Thunderstruck

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“It still makes me nervous going against some of the biggest theatre companies in the world but the Fringe has that wonderful knack of finding those gems that don’t necessarily have this biggest budgets.”

WHO: David Colvin

WHAT: “The Herald Angel Award-winning smash hit of modern Scottish theatre returns to the Fringe for a fifth successive year. The tragic, comic and epic tale of the greatest bagpiper that ever lived, a Pitlochry bin man who rocked tradition, flew beyond the summit of his art and changed Scottish music forever. Whatever notions you have of bagpipes, leave them at the door. ‘A stunning, staggering piece of modern Scottish folk theatre’ ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info). ‘Elucidating, charming and rip-roaringly inspirational’ ***** (TheQR.co.uk).”

WHERE: Scottish Storytelling Centre – Netherbow Theatre (Venue 30) 

WHEN: 18:45 (80 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 13th Edinburgh Fringe and Thunderstruck’s 5th successive Edinburgh Fringe. In previous years I’ve performed in the Fringe with my university drama group, The National Theatre of Scotland, an Ozzy Singing group, a Welsh children’s musical, a show about builders, a legendary Scottish theatre company and now with my own play and I can honestly say it is still a great pleasure and honour to perform at the Fringe. I still love it, it still makes me nervous going against some of the biggest theatre companies in the world but the Fringe has that wonderful knack of finding those gems that don’t necessarily have this biggest budgets. Nothing compares to being here as a performer, to feel part of the artistic community that makes the Edinburgh Fringe the biggest and best in the world.

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

I have to keep reminding myself that the Edinburgh Fringe is a marathon not a sprint. You get nothing for free and the fringe doesn’t care how many followers you have on social media. At some point in week 2 there will organically be a bunch of shows that the fringe deems unmissable and it’s not always the ones everyone expects.

Engaging with people whilst flyering is so much more effective than just handing out as many fliers as possible. Talk to people!

Never get complacent, they’ll always be a bunch of performers working harder than you are in an attempt to convince the same audience’s to come see them.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote Thunderstruck in 2017 and since then it has taken me on a roller coaster adventure. It started it’s life playing Folk music festivals in Glasgow, was booked by the Fringe in 2019 won a bunch of awards and in the subsequent years went to Australia (won more awards), went on an 18 date Scottish tour and is returning to the Fringe for a 5th season. We’re working on where Thunderstruck goes next, if I’ve learned anything it’s that sometimes, Thunderstruck has told me what we’re doing next.

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

“Death Becomes us” at Space venue, surgeons hall. Written by and starring the wonderful Hannah Whittingham. She’s self producing and going for it with 22 shows and knowing her as I do, I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.

Everything at the Scottish Storytelling centre, it is a diamond venue and they work hard to bring great established work as well as give storytellers their big chance. In that venue I’d recommend anything with Niall Moorjani as well as The Loud Poets (No 1 poetry show!), The Young Edinburgh Storytellers are back and Hero/Banlaoch by Sinead O’Brien, I saw her show last year and it blew me away, no doubts she’ll do it again.

Finally, finally Ruben Kaye is the Emperor of Cabaret and being naughty while Baby Wants Candy are the unparalleled kings and queens of improv.

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EdFringe Talk: Sing, Sign and Sensory

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“There really is something for everybody, and this year there is our gorgeous show for the very youngest fringe goers, babies aged 0 – 24 months and their families and caregivers.”

WHO: Sara Jackson

WHAT: “Sing, Sign and Sensory offers sensory-based performance workshops tailored to infants between 0-24 months. They are first of their kind and offer an immersive, creative experience in customised, inflatable sensory pods. Each session has an engaging narrative, songs to singalong with and visually captivating animations. The pods are equipped with projectors, fans, textured objects and pleasant aromas to make for an enriching sensory journey. Funded by Lottery Funded Arts Council England and Little Lives UK.”

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

WHEN: 10:15, 11:00 (30 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is the first time Effectus Theatre has visited the Fringe. However, Sara has been a frequent performer at the Fringe for many years.

We love the unique experience of the Edinburgh Fringe festival, there is nothing and nowhere else like it in the world.

There really is something for everybody, and this year there is our gorgeous show for the very youngest fringe goers, babies aged 0 – 24 months and their families and caregivers.

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

We were not at the Fringe in 2023. But over the last year, we have gone on a big learning curve as a company. We are still waiting to absorb it all and see our festival visit become real.

Tell us about your show.

Sing, Sign & Sensory offers sensory-based performance workshops tailored to infants between 0-24 months.

They are a first-of-their-kind and offer an immersive, creative experience in customised, inflatable sensory pods.

Each session has an engaging narrative, songs to sing along to, and visually captivating animations. The pods are equipped with projectors, fans, textured objects, and pleasant aromas to make for an enriching sensory journey.

Our interactive experience will captivate your little ones, taking them on a magical journey they’ll never forget.

Immerse your baby in a morning of adventure as we explore the mysteries of the ocean together, play with the jungle animals, or journey into outer space. Through singing, signing, and sensory play, we’ll stimulate their senses and ignite their curiosity.

With Sing, Sign and Sensory, your little one will develop important communication skills while having an absolute blast.

Devised and performed by Sara Jackson or babies aged 0 – 24 months. Sing, Sign and Sensory has been enchanting babies across the UK since 2023. It sold out at the Brighton Fringe and has received a prestigious Keeping It Fringe Award to visit the Edinburgh Festival this year.

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

We love The Amazing Mr Bubble Man. He is such a crucial part of the children’s Edinburgh experience. We go see him every year. He once turned our son into a steam train. He’s wonderful!

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EdFringe Talk: Body, Pauline Eyre

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“I bloody love Edinburgh!”

WHO: Pauline Eyre

WHAT: “Menopause: the comedy gift that keeps on giving. Until it’s over. Then what? She’s had it all her life and finally, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to celebrate her body. It’s quite challenging, learning to love yourself, isn’t it? But if you don’t do it now, when will you? ‘A comedy show about what it means to be a woman in your fifties learning to live… with some of the most special and perhaps horrifying experiences of life. Her humour is extraordinarily infectious… you will have a lot of fun’ (BritishTheatre.com).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at Cabaret Voltaire – Just the Common Room (Venue 338) 

WHEN: 12:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my first full run with a solo show, but I brought split shows with other comedians in 2018 (Better) & 2019 (Buffering, sold out!) & this show (Body) as a WIP for 5 days in 2023
EdFringe is special because of the cobbles & the venues & the people & the buzz & the comedians & the ice cream on Grassmarket & the pipers driving you nuts on Waverley Bridge & the castle looking glorious. I bloody love Edinburgh!

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

Last year my venue was slightly north of Aberdeen (this may be a slight exaggeration). I wasn’t making that mistake again and am now nestled in the centre of everything at Cabaret Voltaire
I also learned that ice cream every day was a VERY good idea and I shall be building on that important lesson this year.

Tell us about your show.

This is a solo stand-up comedy show – I wrote it & perform it & it’s directed by the incredible Ben Vandervelde. It’s also played comedy fringes in London, Cambridge, Glasgow, Harwich, Manchester, Colchester, Hull, (breathe!) Swansea, Telford, Birmingham, Oxford, Nottingham, Bristol, Bath… er that’s it.

After Edinburgh I will be collapsing in a heap on the floor. I will then think about where to take

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

Two hours after my show ends you can see Louise Leigh Distracted (say it out loud for an extra joke) – if you like my Body, you’ll love hers! Same room, Cabaret Voltaire, 3.30.

Rachel Creeger: Ultimate Jewish Mother is at Whistlebinkies at 1.30 – she’ll make you soup and give you sage advice.

Grace Mulvey: Tall Baby, 7.05pm, Assembly Roxy – glorious Irish Catholic nonsense form a brilliant & hilarious new voice.

And Lauren Pattison puts on her Big Girl Pants 1t 1pm, Monkey Barrel 1. I’ve seen this in preview and once again, Pattison brings it home – she’s bloody wonderful.

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EdFringe Talk: A Jaffa Cake Musical

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“The vibe at the Fringe is just unparalleled, audiences are up for a good time before they’ve even found their seats, which makes staging comedy musicals an absolute joy. I don’t think I could stop going if I tried.”

WHO: Sam Cochrane

WHAT: “Time to decide once and for all… cake or biscuit? Inspired by the 1991 tribunal which determined the true identity of a Jaffa Cake, multi-award winning Gigglemug Theatre (Scouts! The Musical, RuneSical, Timpson: The Musical) present a brand-new family-friendly musical comedy that takes the biscuit (or cake…?). Praise for previous productions: ‘Incredible!’ (Bear Grylls); ‘Laugh-a-minute silliness’ (Daily Express); ‘Winning songs’ (Guardian); ‘Blistering wit’ ***** (TheatreWeekly.com); ‘Simply brilliant’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk); ‘An utter masterpiece’ ***** (BoxOfficeRadio.co.uk); ‘A comedic triumph’ ***** (WestEndEvenings.co.uk); ‘Absolute bangers’ **** (Stage); ‘Genius’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 15:10 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our third time at the Fringe as a company, having previously performed there with our shows RuneSical and Timpson: The Musical. The vibe at the Fringe is just unparalleled, audiences are up for a good time before they’ve even found their seats, which makes staging comedy musicals an absolute joy. I don’t think I could stop going if I tried.

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

The last time we were performing at the Fringe was in 2022, and it was brilliant to be back post-pandemic – I was amazed at how it all looked exactly the way it did a few years before, but I learnt pretty quickly that audiences would take a lot more convincing to embrace the festival after Covid. Thankfully now it seems like the Fringe is livelier than ever, and I have a feeling this year’s will be the best one yet.

Tell us about your show.

A Jaffa Cake Musical is inspired by the infamous 1991 tribunal which saw McVitie’s face off against the Tax Man to prove that a Jaffa Cake is in fact a cake rather than a biscuit. This has been my first time writing a show based on a true story so I finally got to put my History degree to good use and do some hardcore researching! Gigglemug was actually formed by a bunch of Warwick Uni students, we all met doing improvised musicals which is why I think our shows have that signature zaniness which really suits the Fringe. We’re known for creating seriously silly musicals based on existing brands and, after creating shows about Timpson, RuneScape and The Scouts, a musical all about Jaffa Cakes seemed like the only logical next step! We have two preview shows at The Other Palace on 23rd & 24th July; as we did our workshop performances there earlier this year as part of MTFest it will be great to return with the fully staged production!

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

John Tothill’s stand up last year was my favourite show of the Fringe so cannot recommend enough, also Lorna Rose Treen, Ania Magliano, Finlay Christie and of course you’ve got to catch OG Gigglemug Rob Madge in their brilliant show My Son’s a Queer. Not to mention our very own Alex Prescot and Katie Pritchard performing in their solo shows too!

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EdFringe Talk: Harriet Dyer: Skin

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I like them to be proper shows and I don’t mean with pyrotechnics, musical interludes and all that but a proper story, with an arc, to take the audience on a journey with a beginning middle and end… obviously making it well funny too! Some acts disagree with that and think it should just be jokes.”

WHO: Tamsin Hurtado Clarke & Scarlett Plouviez: Performer & Director

WHAT: “Give us a cheer if you’ve got skin? Well then, this is the show for you! A new show of story-based chaos with heart and peculiarities from acclaimed stand-up Harriet Dyer (Comedy Central Live, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza, The Russell Howard Hour and winner of 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Neurodiversity Representation Award). ‘Harriet Dyer is everything I love about the Fringe’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of Harriet Dyer’s show’ ***** (NeurodiverseReview.co.uk). ‘A fabulous hour with a sense of the joyful absurdity of life. Entirely charming’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Coorie (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve done Edinburgh many times over the years, it can be such a hubby menagerie of creativity!

I love having something like Edinburgh to work towards each year, I enjoy the circuit gigs for the other months but getting to do an hour is so much different from the shorter sets.

Before I did stand-up I always did dramary stuff and I think subconsciously that comes out in how I create my hours. I like them to be proper shows and I don’t mean with pyrotechnics, musical interludes and all that but a proper story, with an arc, to take the audience on a journey with a beginning middle and end… obviously making it well funny too! Some acts disagree with that and think it should just be jokes, no other nonsense but I do that all the other months in the year so it’s nice to wang more creativity out for August.

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

Edinburgh fringe can be a wonderful place but it can also be a chuffin’ expensive corporate nightmare! It’s like a toxic relationship – Last time I did it for the full month was 2022 and then after that I was like, “NEVER AGAIN” then as it approached in 2023 it was, “Maybe a little bit wouldn’t hurt” so did a week which I enjoyed so much and was deeply saddened that I wasn’t there for the full whack so here I am, back again for the full month this year… Is there a lesson somewhere in that? Probably not.

I always try to have a better show than the last.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called SKIN and I guess the crux of it is about being comfortable in your own skin… but on the path to that I get swept up with massive shoes, women jumping out of bushes, mental illness, addiction, squirrels, baby squids, pensioners with police radios, wrapping heads in sellotape and ‘Chicken Lickin’.

Phil McIntyre Live are producing it, my wonderful agent Andrew Roach at Insanity put us in touch. I’ve been previewing it up and down the country and I hope to take it on a little tour after.

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

Flippin’ Nora there’s so much good stuff at The Fringe this year! I’m a big fan of folk with a unique voice and ‘ere is a comedic gang of those…

Amy Mason: Feemason – Her delivery has me in stitches, this show has one of the best jokes I’ve ever heard in it… and the best hat!

Tom Lawrinson: Buried alive and loving it – Feel like Tom is a bit of a trailblazer, he’s always original, always daft and it’s always a pleasure to watch anything he’s doing.

Lee Kyle and Friend: Not Morning People and Lee Kyle: Throwing Bottles into the sea – King Daft of all the dafts. So silly, does things his way and always kicking something into the sea!

Kieron Flynn and Rachel Baker: Two reds are better than one – Both hilarious but only saw Rachel for the first time a couple of weeks ago, she had me in stitches, she’s one of those people with funny bones and I must be a sucker for a hat in comedy because her hat bit is sooooo funny too!

David Eagle: The Eagle is Candid – Brilliant comedian with accordion who happens to be blind

Best in Class – Showcasing amazing working class acts which is very much needed at the fringe

Marjolein Robertson: 0 – Marjolein is a whimsical comedy goddess, her show last year was so so good so looking forward to this one!

Lauren Stone: Cool for Cats – Also a whimsical goddess with funny bones, looking forward to seeing what she’s rustled up

Allyson June Smith: Little Smith Sunshine – Circuit legend, a joy to be around… Reckon you’ll feel better after being in her company for an hour as I always do!

Louise Leigh: Distracted – Fellow scatterbrain who sort of whirls you up in a ball of laughter!

Andrew White: Young, Gay and a Third Thing – Smart, unique, cutting. I’m always excited to see what he does next.

Fiona Ridgewell: Believable – Another person that is just great to watch over an hour (in a show,) she’s just really fun and that shows in her shows.

Joe Wells: Daddy Autism – Joe is very hilarious and wise and I feel more funny of knowledge and laughter after I’ve watched him

Aaron Twitchen: Himbo – His confidence and joy is infectious

Alison Spittle: New Stuff WIP – Her stories have me in stitches

George Zacharopoulos: 2024 Greek Comedian of the year, Greek in the sheets and 50/50 – Such a good joke writer, his shows are always very funny.

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EdFringe Talk: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I love inventive and creative theatre and this was done with such enthusiasm I enjoyed it every time and can remember it vividly at a distance of over 40 years.”

WHO: Adrian Palmer

WHAT: “I never met a man I so disliked and yet I can’t describe him. A fusion of storytelling and a one-person show. An intense hour-long dramatic narrative, adapted and performed by Adrian Palmer in a version as close as possible to the timeless literary masterpiece of Edinburgh’s own Robert Louis Stevenson. The original Victorian melodrama of Gothic suspense and horror on the nature of evil and the hypocrisy of a male dominated society. ‘An expressively superb Adrian Palmer held the audience spellbound.’ (Southern Daily Echo).”

WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Snug (Venue 117) 

WHEN: VARIES (55 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe on two previous occasions. First in 1980 in a production of Harold Pinter’s – The Caretaker and then in 2016 in an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s – The Trial. It’s a really special experience. Fringe audiences tend to be knowledgeable about and interested in theatre and very supportive.

It’s a great experience as either a punter or performer. Memories of my first visit include dancing drunkenly with a group of friends on top of a phone box and going to see again and again a performance by Loughborough University students of a devised piece called E=MC2. Looking back it was what people call ‘A level drama’ but I’m a sucker for that type of thing. I love inventive and creative theatre and this was done with such enthusiasm I enjoyed it every time and can remember it vividly at a distance of over 40 years.

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

I wasn’t at the Fringe in 2023 but I have learnt over the years I have been performing my own adaptations and writing that it’s very satisfying to think small. My venue which is The Snug in Paradise in Augustine’s seats 35 people when full – which I hope it will be – and my performances are at lunchtime. There’s not a lot of technical wizardry, just me acting my little socks off and I hope my two pieces will appeal to audiences looking for something intimate, thought provoking and entertaining in the middle of the day.

Tell us about your show.

It’s two storytelling adaptations of great pieces of literature from the nineteenth century.

It’s more or less a one person venture for me but with a lot of personal support from friends. I run the company, devise the shows and manage myself. I don’t always do what I tell myself to do though. My friends have supported me in getting venues for my performances and helping me sell the tickets and running the shows and doing the marketing.

I have performed Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde many times. I had a week long run at The Theatre Anglais in Southern France and the performances really helped to develop the show and get it running smoothly. I have also performed it at a number of small scale venues – in a church in Wilmslow, in a restaurant in Stockport and online in aid of Macmillan cancer research.

My first performance of this incarnation of The Three Strangers will be a preview at Feed General Store in Heaton Chapel, Manchester on 27th June 2024. I haven’t got any performances booked in after August for either show yet but hoping to get some through my presence at The Edinburgh Fringe this year. There’s a lot of work goes into developing the work and once it’s done I keep it in my repertoire. I would love to take either of them abroad and am looking at International Festival opportunities.

My next big project will be a revival of my own adaptation of A Christmas Carol in December which is on the back burner at the moment but I am looking for a characterful Victorian restaurant or church, probably in the Manchester area where I can put on a ten day or two week run just before Christmas.

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

Talk to people you meet – Edinburgh is a very friendly city – they will tell you what is good and they will probably be right.

The big buzz when I went to the Fringe in 2016 was ‘Counting Sheep’ a Ukrainian immersive piece of folk opera and multi media which was great. The audience ate at a wedding, danced, stoned the police, wept at a funeral and finally joined the army. A Great Show. And how prophetic it proved to be.

Go small, take a chance, see as many shows as you can. Sometimes the big and hyped shows disappoint but the small stuff will blow you away.

I will definitely be planning to see shows that are working in a similar field to my own – literary adaptations, storytelling, one person shows. The following browse through the programme look interesting for a start but I will be wandering about and trying to see as many varied things as possible.

Shows I will be seeing:

• Under Milk Wood
• Don Quixote
• Sherlock Holmes – The Last Act
• One Man Poe
• A Montage of Monet
• Gulliver’s Travels

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