Author Archives: Dan Lentell

EdFringe Talk: Soul Sucking

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“It is so cool to see the entire lifecycle of a show as part of a production team, both for your own show and for other teams you befriend over the course of the festival.”

WHO: Sofia David

WHAT: “Our parents worked to live. In this economy? We’re killing ourselves to work. With her post-uni gap year closing in on its fourth birthday and no closer to… well, anything, it’s clear Eddie’s life is a non-starter. But before she can try again, we’ve got to put the first one to rest and in Soul Sucking, you’re invited to the funeral. There’ll be music, requiems and a baptism just to die for. Three friends, two new/old lives and one teeny tiny urn. Free food at the wake sounds unlikely…”

WHERE: Willow Studio at Greenside @ Riddles Court (Venue 16) 

WHEN: 12:50 (50 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, but certainly my first time in as big a role as this! I love the beautiful chaos that is Edinbrugh during the Fringe. You never 100% know what is going on, but there’s always something weird and wonderful going on just around the corner and that, in my opinion, is what makes a great festival. You are almost constantly spoiled for choice as a punter, only seeing the polished (or not so polished) final product, it is so cool to see the entire lifecycle of a show as part of a production team, both for your own show and for other teams you befriend over the course of the festival.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The main thing I learnt since last year is that in theatre, almost anything is better than risking the audience’s boredom. People come to feel something when they buy tickets to a show, be that heartbreak, laughter, or even horror- far better to take the creative risk than to let people feel like they’ve wasted their time. I can only hope I can practice what I preach, in this instance.

Tell us about your show.

Death, or the aftermath of death, is such a popular topic for theatre, and rightly so. There is rarely another part of someone’s life so consequential, and the drama of funerals has always fascinated me. The idea of using the ritual as a self-improvement life-hack, the likes of which have become so popular especially with the rise of social media and ‘hustle culture’, was particuarly compelling. How far would we really go to be sucessful? Can we still be a ‘good’ person without being a productive one? I was hoping to flesh out some of these questions through the creation of this play. It will be making its debut at the Fringe, and there are no plans for it afterwards yet, but who knows?

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

Go see ‘Murder in Motley’ (1-9th, as an amuse-bouche the week before our show) and ‘If You Don’t Laugh’ (18th-26th). Both shows will be coming alongside us to the Fringe as part of the Mermaids Performing Arts fund. Why see just one great show when you can see three?

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EdFringe Talk: Mark Vigeant: The Best Man Show

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“Sometimes people hate your show even though they laughed the whole time.”

WHO: Mark Vigeant

WHAT: “You’re cordially invited to this interactive polyamorous wedding reception, where the groom’s brother delivers a speech you’ll never forget! It starts out fun and silly, with your typical masculine roasting and ribbing – and gradually devolves into a drunken chaotic mess where Paul tries to understand what it means to love, but can’t get over his own toxic masculinity to recognize his loneliness. ‘A solo performance that defines the phrase(s) tour-de-force and comedy masterclass’ ***** (TheReviewsHub.com). ‘The kind of laughing where you think you might just lose it completely’ ***** (TheSMUReviews.co.uk).”

WHERE: The Crate at Assembly George Square (Venue 8) 

WHEN: 22:20 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is actually my third time around at Edinburgh Fringe in as many years. In 2023 I got my ass absolutely handed to me – I was in a wacky timeslot in a bad venue and was just totally in over my head. But I saw art that totally changed my life, and I grew as an artist and a human. It motivated me to write a totally new show that I brought to Edinburgh last year – and I had the time of my life. This festival is just so extremely beautiful. There truly is nothing like it. You can see some of the best, craziest, silliest, stupidest, worst, most horrible art in one afternoon – over and over again. You can do your best work to an audience of 3 who never forget you, and then perform for 120 the next day who hate your guts. It’s unbelievable.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The size of the audience doesn’t matter.

Most of the big reviews people get are because they spent a lot of money.

Sometimes people love a show without laughing.

Sometimes people hate your show even though they laughed the whole time.

Sleep is important.

No I haven’t internalized any of these lessons.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called “The Best Man Show.” It’s a solo clowny character piece where I play the best man at a polyamorous wedding, giving a speech that totally falls apart. In the process, I cast audience members to play roles in the wedding.

I wrote it, and developed it with my director Joanna Simmons. It premiered at the 2024 New Zealand Fringe, and I’ve performed it 64 times on 3 different continents including at Edinburgh last year, the SoHo Playhouse in New York City, and a friend’s backyard outside of Denver, Colorado.

After Fringe, I plan on taking this to the New York Comedy Festival, as well as a select few other tour locations – and sometime in the winter the show will come out as a special on Dropout.TV

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

Woody Fu: 1-man John Wick is absolutely amazing, I love it. It’s in the same venue as me (Assembly George Square: The Crate) about 2 hours earlier.

Mr Chonkers by John Norris over at Summerhall is a must-see.

I’m VERY excited to see my Dylan Adler: Haus of Dy-lan and Cat Cohen: Broad Strokes.

Oh, and you should all see the very stupid and perfect “Just to be Close to You”.

These are all stupid and fun and silly American shows that are amazing!!!!!

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EdFringe Talk: Jack Traynor: Before I Forget

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” I’m probably going to get dementia when I’m older because there’s so much of it in my family.”

WHO: Jack Traynor

WHAT: “One of Scotland’s fastest-rising stars, Jack’s highly anticipated debut combined the bizarre and the brilliantly relatable. Ranked fourth in the world in the Roast Battle League, Jack shares his best stories before he forgets. Jack’s vibrant storytelling weaves the real and surreal, and his distinctive comedic style have led him to placing second in the Hot Water Comedy Club New Comedian of the Year, and Roast Battle’s MVP in 2024. Jack’s razor-sharp wit and colourful storytelling make this an unmissable hour from a future star of Scottish comedy. ‘Likeably down to earth’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Bunker One at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 21:55 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve done a split bill at Fringe before, a compilation show, but this is my first time debuting – my first full hour, so that’s exciting if a bit scary. I’m lucky to have Blackfriars on board funding me and Brass Tacks Comedy producing so I’ve got great people around me which I feel really lucky about, especially in my debut. There’s a lot to learn, a lot of admin to get through and planning to be done, and with their help, I can focus on making my show as good as it can be. I was never really considering the Fringe as an option before they came along so it’s been a mental few months finding out I got the fund and then immediately getting my show together.

What makes a great festival? Keeping your sanity and not losing a shitload of money…we’ll see how I go.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’m pretty much the finished article – nah, I’ve learnt more about the ins and outs of comedy in the past year. Loads of stuff on the back end that I wasn’t aware of, that could have been helping my career. Until working with Brass Tacks Comedy, I was in the dark about all the back end stuff you need to. I mean, I’ve not learnt enough to do anything yet they’re still helping me with everything, but I’m learning…

Tell us about your show.

The show is called ‘Before I Forget’ and it’s a show about all the things that I’m going to be happy and unhappy to forget about – my best and worst stories. It touches on how I’m probably going to get dementia when I’m older because there’s so much of it in my family and how I deal with that – but don’t worry, I put the sad bit at the start so we can just get that out of the way and crack on with the jokes.

Blackfriars Comedy Club in Glasgow are funding it, after Brass Tacks Comedy created a new fund to support a Scottish comic to make their debut at the Fringe – I was lucky enough that they wanted to support me. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, they’re absolute legends and Blackfriars are putting their money where their mouth is and supporting the Scottish comedy scene. I’ve even got my pal Fudgie tech’ing my show so I’m buzzing to have him there at every show with me.

I’ve written it by plucking all my favourite stories out of the ether from my life and putting it altogether. I’ve done a good few WIPs, both in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and they’ve gone well so I’m ready for it all to kick off now.

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

After my show, my audience should see the big board with the train times on it, find the train that says Glasgow and get on it with me- that’s my Fringe recommendation. All kidding aside – people you should go see are:

Kate Hammer – I’ve gigged with Kate at Roast Battle before and she’s a must see!

Ayo Adenekan – another Scottish debut with a cracking show. Me and Ayo have done WIPs together since he’s also working with Brass Tacks on a funded debut and he’s going to be a big name in the future.

Daniel Petrie – he’s doing a compilation show (I can only endorse his part of the compilation show since I haven’t seen anyone else but…have at it).

And then after Fringe, get to Glasgow and come see some comedy nights at Blackfriars.

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EdFringe Talk: Barry Morgan’s Home Organ Party Experience!

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“In our crazy modern world it is great to get people out and about instead of sitting on the couch doom scrolling!”

WHO: Stephen Teakle

WHAT: “Barry Morgan – Australia’s most celebrated organ salesman. Straight from the golden era of the late 70s into the 1980s and the showroom floor of Barry Morgan’s World of Organs, Barry Morgan is here to bring you the ultimate in jaunty music and comedy. Barry has toured across the world lighting up stages and people’s lives! His dazzling performances are a blend of music, comedy and sheer joy, guaranteed to leave audiences feeling mesmerised by his extraordinary organ. It’s the ultimate Edinburgh party – don’t miss this massive cult!”

WHERE: Bier Keller at Frankenstein Pub (Venue 304) 

WHEN: 19:30 (50 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have visited Edfringe before.

In 2024 I came for a look-see and had the opportunity to “test the waters” so to speak as Barry Morgan when my good friend Tom Stade introduced me to the wonderful team at The Stand Comedy Club in edinburgh. I performed one evening as part of a showcase and everyone was delighted Barry could spread a little organ joy and a couple of groovy tunes on the little Yamaha PC100 circa 1970’s Playcard Organ or as Barry likes to say his “battery operated strapon organ” (like a Keytar but so much better).

Edfringe is very special ( which I’m sure you know – as it’s the biggest Fringe in the world and there are so many great acts to experience. In our crazy modern world it is great to get people out and about instead of sitting on the couch doom scrolling!

One part of a great festival is about the audiences being hit with the “Wow Factor” of a new discovery and the power of word of mouth ( or Social Media) to make sure their friends experience their new discovery! Who knows maybe Barry will experience some of that energy this year!

I find being a performer at a Festival is my dream time, I get to see lots of shows, perform daily and see the real side of the Entertainment Industry in the Artists Bar late at night when our favourite comedians are having their own doom scrolling, not so positive moments. Big hugs required!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I fast everyday and do my best to stay away from sugar.

When performing at a Festival for me it’s not a party but heaps and heaps of fun!

In 2024 at the Edfringe I visited the Olympic Pool in Edinburgh each morning for a few laps and a cold shower, what a great way to start the day…. plus living in a van motivates one to get to the pool for a rinse!

Tell us about your show.

The HOPE show is a good old fashioned romp through the era of organ parties in living rooms (like a tupperware party but with less plastic and more organ) and family sing-alongs as well as being as modern as tomorrow with a few rock and disco hits being pumped out of the organ. Barry truly brings hope when he demonstrates all the wonderful “almost realistic sounds” of a 1970’s home organ. Barry loves to over share and is keen for someone to take his organ home with them so The Organ Is For Sale!

Barry Morgan’s World Of Organs has been successfully touring and making jawlines ache in Oz for over 10 years and it’s time to expand and get around the UK.

Barry & I hope to tour the show throughout the UK and Europe over the coming years. (the towns in Australia are so far apart….the Organ Bus has already done a million miles).

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

Tom Stade: Natughty By Nature is a must see. Tom and his family really embraced my visit to Edinburgh in 2024 and showed me around. Tom is my favourite Family Comedian of all time!

I met Bobby Davro last year and went to see his show. It was a blast and this year he’s back with his new show Bobby Davro – Funny Magnet. I’ll definitely be there and would highly recommend that you get there too

Also Moonage Rhapsody at The Voodoo Rooms has caught my eye. It’s described as ‘a crazy little modern love letter to two of the most iconic disruptors of our generation – David Bowie and Freddie Mercury’. What’s not to love?

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EdFringe Talk: Stuart Thomas: Bad Fatty

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“Growing up on a sheep farm in Wales, the Fringe always felt like this mythical place, bursting with opportunity.”

WHO: Stuart Thomas

WHAT: “Bad Fatty is a sharp, unapologetic stand-up show that dives into life as a fat Welshman. Growing up on a sheep farm, Stuart Thomas fuses his working-class roots with a modern take on body positivity, grabbing diet culture by the scruff of the neck and calling out society’s absurd expectations. Proudly embracing his body and bisexuality, he explores sexuality, body image and depression. Stuart flips fat-shaming on its head – turning everyday moments into hilarious defiance. He’s taking no prisoners. ‘A big fat star in the making’ (Sofie Hagen). ‘Made me laugh a lot’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Nineties at Laughing Horse @ City Cafe (Venue 85) 

WHEN: 20:40 (45 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not at all! I’ve been slowly sneaking into the Fringe year after year. I went as a punter in 2019, did a few guest spots in 2023, ran a compilation show for plus-size comedians called Chonk in 2024 — and now, for the first time, I’m bringing my own solo show.

Growing up on a sheep farm in Wales, the Fringe always felt like this mythical place, bursting with opportunity. And it is — but “opportunity” can mean so many things. The chance to perform, to take creative risks, to get lost emotionally and geographically. But for me, the real win is growth. If I can leave Edinburgh feeling like I’ve levelled up as a comic, then I’m a happy boy.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Running my first show in 2024 taught me a lot — not just about comedy, but about myself. The biggest lesson? I can actually do things. I’m capable. And when I push myself, I can create something meaningful — something that people genuinely connect with, and something I’m proud to put my name on.

Comedy has always been more than just a hobby for me — it’s a passion, a compass, and, honestly, a bit of a lifeline. It’s helped me understand myself better and feel more at home in my own skin. It’s introduced me to brilliant, weird, wonderful people, and pushed me to try things I never thought I’d have the guts to do. So yeah, I’ve absorbed a few lessons — and I’m still learning, one panic-written setlist at a time.

Tell us about your show.

Bad Fatty was written by me — Stuart Thomas — over the course of many gigs, rewrites, and frantic 2am Notes app entries. It’s self-produced, in the scrappy DIY tradition of many first-time Fringe shows. No big team or grant money here — just me, a sertraline prescription, and a dream.

By the time I hit the Fringe, I’ll have done around 15 work-in-progress performances across the UK — from Glasgow to Brighton to Eccles (sorry, I just had to plug my little gig Heckles in Eccles) — all of which really helped the show take shape. Some of those gigs were brilliant. Some made me question my life choices. All of them were useful.

After Edinburgh, my aim for Bad Fatty is to turn it into a fully fledged hour-long show, ready for Edinburgh Fringe 2026. In 2026, let’s get those bingo wings flapping and fly this show to success!

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

There are so many! I firmly believe in comics helping each other as much as we can. While we’re technically competing for audiences, we’re also building each other up and getting better together.

I want to shout out some of the good eggs I’ve met on my travels around the comedy circuit who have shows this year: Paul Campbell, Charlie Lewis, Sam Serrano, Kie Carson, Molly McGuinness, Aaron Wood, Tim Biglowe and Dean Coughlin. All of them are working comics on the Northern circuit like myself, all lovely people, and all armed with smashing jokes you deserve to hear.

And of course, I’ve got to mention my fellow Welshies: Leila Navabi, Josh Elton, Jake Cornford, and Morgan Rees — each hilarious in their own unique and perfect ways. Welsh comedy deserves more love — it’s sharp, surprising, and full of heart (with the occasional sheep joke thrown in).

Basically: see people who make you laugh in a way that feels new. See stuff that surprises you. And if a flyer’s handed to you by someone who looks deeply, spiritually tired — go to their show. They’ve earned it.

And finally, I must, of course, plug my compilation show for fat comedians: Chonk. It’s my little way of raising the profile of plus-size performers and doing my bit for fat acceptance.

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EdFringe Talk: VENUS 2.0

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“We were on at 10.15pm, we still remember running round handing out flyers and saying “late night dance theatre!” – how great that there’s a place where that can become normalised!!”

WHO: Joshua Ben-Tovim and Roseanna Anderson

WHAT: “Follow the scandalous true story of Suffragette-turned-fascist Mary Richardson in this time-bending cabaret. Award-winning company IMPERMANENCE bring you a high-octane dance theatre experience exploring the chaos and turmoil of the early 20th-century. Featuring six chameleonic dancers, VENUS 2.0 is a white-knuckle ride through the evolution of Fascism. Enter a world of explosive physicality, hilarious cabaret and an obsession with the future. Why did it start? How does it stop? Where does it end? Fringe favourites IMPERMANENCE have been making groundbreaking productions since 2011, don’t miss this spectacle on the best stage for dance at the festival.”

WHERE: Main House at ZOO Southside (Venue 82) 

WHEN: 19:25 (75 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

So we first performed at the Fringe in 2015 when we had this show called DA-DA-DARLING… it was a fairly bonkers but highly choreographed romp through a particular book created by the surrealist Max Ernst. We were on at 10.15pm, we still remember running round handing out flyers and saying “late night dance theatre!” – how great that there’s a place where that can become normalised!! But yes, we had an amazing time and it’s super exciting to be coming back. Then we came back in 2017 with a show called SEXBOX which was also lots of fun and we got a few international gigs off the back of that!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Well, I hope we’ve learned a fair few things since then (!) – but in terms of the Fringe itself… I don’t know?? I think there’s a truth about putting on shows – that you do kind of have to reinvent the wheel each time which goes for what’s on stage as well as how you get an audience in. How you get people to connect with the show and what you’re doing is part of the process, so I think it’s just roll the sleeves up and get stuck in!

Tell us about your show.

VENUS 2.0 was created with the writer Peter Clements. Peter worked closely with us, Roseanna & Josh who directed the show, over a number of years to pull out a narrative from this overwhelming period of history. It’s been a rollercoaster collaboration, trying to predict where dance can tell the story and where we need to support the action with text and dialogue. The choreography is created by the performers and it’s generally been a really collaborative process… Edinburgh will be the premiere of the work and we can’t wait to meet an audience with it.

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

We’ll just give one recommendation as there are so many things to see already, but people should really try and catch Kennedy Muntanga at Dance Base, the piece is called Akropolis and is running 12-24 August @ 4.05pm. Kennedy is an incredible dancer, like, really incredible… he’s also a deep thinker and serious choreographer. We’ve no doubt this will be worth a watch.

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EdFringe Talk: The Bear Child

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“Shakespeare taught me complete dramatic structure, deep themes, and the complexity behind characters’ destinies—all of which had a remarkable influence on my own theatre creation.”

WHO: Zhenchao Ma

WHAT: “The Bear Child is a lively, non-verbal, parent/child drama that blends dance, mime and comedy to portray the joys and chaos of family life. A mischievous child’s imagination turns the home into a playground, while parents balance love, discipline and understanding. With humour and physical storytelling, this inclusive performance allows both children and adults to see themselves in the story. A fun and heartwarming experience for all ages, this show breaks language barriers and speaks directly to the heart.”

WHERE: Fleming Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 09:20 (55 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our first time coming to Edinburgh.

I started studying theatre in 2005, and Shakespeare’s plays were a required part of my training. I’ve acted in Shakespeare’s King Lear and directed The Merry Wives of Windsor. Shakespeare taught me complete dramatic structure, deep themes, and the complexity behind characters’ destinies—all of which had a remarkable influence on my own theatre creation. I chose family and parent-child themes for my children’s plays also because of his influence. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is like a grand festival in the world of theatre. We imagine bringing The Bear Child like a family visiting this big Edinburgh family, to exchange ideas, let our Bear Child meet new friends.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2024 is the fifth year since our theatre company was founded.

Two important members of our company left due to family reasons. Since our company’s creative theme is family, we care deeply about each member’s attitude toward their own family, and we fully supported the efforts they made for their families. Because of this, our performance schedule dropped sharply, and we faced the crisis of disbanding. The remaining members had a deep discussion, and we all felt that The Bear Child is like our own child—we can’t abandon The Bear Child just because some adults left. We have to take responsibility for it, for our theatre company, and also for ourselves. We regained our confidence and decided to start over, taking The Bear Child on the road again.

Tell us about your show.

I am the playwright and director of The Bear Child.

It is independently produced by Beijing Baxun Culture Media Co., Ltd. In August 2019, eight people who were chasing the dream of theatre founded Baxun Culture Media in Beijing, pursuing the dream of theatre and creating performances for more families to see. Our Bear Child has been performed 42 times in 21 cities across China (including Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Nanchang, Dalian, Hainan, Zibo, Weifang, Shangqiu, Baoji, Gu’an, etc.), and four times in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

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

They are all from China and represent a wide range of genres—our art and theatre performances are here, waiting to be discovered, and we’re proud of every one of them:

Tango in Silk
Tango in Silk is a cross-cultural duet blending the sensual intensity of Argentine tango with the refined elegance of Chinese classical dance. Inspired by 1930s Shanghai, this piece explores themes of longing, cultural dislocation, and romantic duality through lyrical movement and vivid visual storytelling. The choreography evokes both tension and tenderness—where the curve of a wrist in qipao silk meets the pulse of a tango beat. At once intimate and dramatic, it is a fleeting encounter that leaves a lasting impression.

A striking fusion of East and West. Dance, drama, and identity unfold in just one unforgettable act.

Taiwan Season: Whale, Where Are You Going?
Taiwan Season has been highly successful in past Fringes. This unique children’s play is set on a small island and features a wordless, fun family story. It uses ingenious puppetry, nimble physical theatre, and magical shadow play to portray the budding friendship between a lonely old man and a mischievous little boy.

Invisible Space
Invisible Space is an immersive headphone theatre experience using silent disco technology, inspired by the ancient Chinese tale The Legend of the White Snake. Imagining what might have happened to Bai Suzhen after Xu Xian’s death, the piece re-examines the story’s portrayal of great love through sound, movement, and myth.

Cardstock
BL web novelist Mae is about to publish her first print book—but censorship forces her to revise it, triggering backlash from her obsessive fan Lily. As Lily’s buried trauma resurfaces, Mae’s fantasy world begins to unravel, growing increasingly surreal and absurd in this sharp, contemporary exploration of authorship, identity, and power.

Chinese Culture Week
Chinese Culture Week is an intercultural initiative bringing Chinese artists, creators, educators, and performers to one of the world’s largest arts festivals—the Edinburgh Fringe. The programme includes networking events, workshops, exhibitions, and of course, performances!

AH-MA
A lyrical memory play on dementia, loss, and love across generations.
A touching and emotional story about family relationships, a theme deeply resonant with audiences sharing similar background. AH-MA reflects on memory, migration, and intergenerational love with poetic tenderness.

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EdFringe Talk: Out of the Box

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“I genuinely love the weather, the Scottish summer is perfect for me, performing shows in 35-40 degree heat is not my idea of fun.”

WHO: Darryl J Carrington

WHAT: “This family-friendly comedy show is packed with surprises as Darryl and his mysterious box take you on a whirlwind of wonder. Every time the box opens, it’s a new adventure: trick shots, circus performances and laugh-out-loud moments that invite everyone to join in the fun. Darryl’s mission is to make you the star of the show (no embarrassing moments here, just pure joy!). With Darryl’s gentle, non-verbal clowning, everyday objects transform into the extraordinary. This show is a joyous celebration of play throughout your life, whatever your age, bringing generations together through seriously skilful silliness.”

WHERE: Jersey at Underbelly, Bristo Square (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No I’ve been coming for at least 10 years on and off in many different guises, from circus shows indoors and out, hosting and attempting stand up comedy, performing as part of the street entertainers and now, bringing my award winning show Out of the Box to Underbelly for the first time! Firstly, I genuinely love the weather, the Scottish summer is perfect for me, performing shows in 35-40 degree heat is not my idea of fun. I love that its where so many creative minds get to come together for a month of togetherness.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Trust your own gut, I’m always seeking approval from others and I realised that sometimes critique is good and helps you develop, but also can distract you from connecting with your audience. So I try my hardest to listen to the audience and be able to make changes accordingly, for example, there’s not enough laughs at that point, how could I build a laugh in there. But that’s a lifetime’s task not just a year.

Tell us about your show.

Out of the Box is a family friendly circus based comedy, where an entire circus emerges from a box and is joyful chaos. When i started performing non verbal clowning, I realised clown was a wonderful umbrella for all the skills I’d been learning over the last 40 years. So I genuinely build routines that I love performing and find silly, and put them all together to create a full show. So there’s something for everyone in there, high skill circus, mainly juggling and equilibristics, puppetry, magic, some very technical tech and lots of silly art and lots of failure with some wonderful resolutions.

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

Pete Anderson’s Unstable Acts – an absolute education of comedy on the streets! An absolute joy.

Able Mable a wonderful street show full of joy and silliness! Just watch the little girls faces watching her show they love her!!! Inspiring a whole generation of female performers.

Stuart Goldsmith- a standup comedy show about climate change! Can it be funny yes it can! You’ll leave feeling empowered !

Bec Hill is super creative funny and if like me you love cartoons and very silly stand up you’ll love Bec!

Morgan Rees- one of the best joke writers I know! He’s doing a work in progress and it’ll be a masterclass!

Louise Leigh wise ridiculous and hilarious Louise is like your favorite funniest friend of your mums. She’s great!

David Hoare- a musical comedy genius, how is it possible to write so many funny songs!

Dr Kaboom a wild and funny science show that you’ll love as much as your kids will!!

Katie Pritchard a bundle of joy! So much energy! A wild and funny performer with some incredible costume making skills!

Fransico de Nata a rising star of clowning some say his giraffe is head and shoulders above the rest. A very funny show full of joy.

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EdFringe Talk: Leo Still Dies in the End

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“The show was born out of a totally healthy obsession with “Titanic” that my family absolutely did not mock me about.”

WHO: Alice Fishbein

WHAT: “It’s been 84 years… or 26, since April 1999, when six-year-old Alice was finally allowed to watch James Cameron’s classic, Titanic, on VHS. Presenting a one-woman parody re-enactment of Titanic in which Alice plays all the parts and the scenes are selected at random (but with the same emotional gravitas, she swears). In this show about how childhood obsessions shape who we are as adults, nostalgia for aging ’90s media, and claims of boats too big to sink, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, your heart will go on (even though Jack’s does not!).”

WHERE: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 22:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I spent a few days in Edinburgh in October 2023 while doing a (mostly) solo trip in Ireland and Scotland and I can’t wait to be back! But this IS my first time doing Edfringe or any large festival, which is so thrilling as a performer. The idea of performing every day for 17 nights while everyone around me is doing the same thing is a performer’s dream! Now let’s just make sure I remember to drive on the other side of the road (just kidding, I’m a New Yorker, I don’t drive) and that my airline lets me bring all of my props on the plane (yes, that includes the infamous scene-deciding wheel)!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest thing I’ve learned since 2024 is if a man is emotionally unavailable, you will not be the one to make him available and it’s a lesson I have worked hard not to absorb! If you mean show related lessons, I’d say in the last year, I’ve learned that audiences are unpredictable and that’s part of the fun! One audience might laugh harder than you’ve ever heard at one moment and another audience might laugh even harder at a completely different moment, and neither is wrong or correct, it just is, and that’s the beauty of live performance (and sometimes the joke needs to change in the moment and I’ve learned how to do that because that’s showbiz, baby!).

Tell us about your show.

Leo Still dies in the End was written by, produced by and performed by me (though of course, the Titanic elements were written by none other than James Cameron but don’t tell him that) and directed by the talented Ryan Lind. The show was born out of a totally healthy obsession with “Titanic” that my family absolutely did not mock me about and it was out of total love that my sister and our friend during a trip to Portugal in 2019 started saying, “Alice, do Titanic” when they wanted some dinner theater. And so I did, parodying scenes line by line and interjecting with my own thoughts about the scenes, dialogue, and movie in general.

From there, the show grew into a mini version which premiered at a solo show festival in NYC in 2023, my director Ryan came aboard this unsinkable ship (we stayed on land), and the show went on to have a few sold-out previews in NYC before now coming to Edinburgh! I’m hoping to run it again in NYC after the festival and then take it on tour but I’m open to ideas if anyone has any (no, really, throw the possibilities at me! Shout them out like you’re on a boat that’s sinking and need to let the entire Atlantic Ocean know!).

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

Everyone should go see every show they can at the festival (I know I will be)! I’d say head over to Lily Blumkin’s Nice Try if you want to see quite the assortment of characters! I got to see it here in NYC and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

I’d also recommend any of the other amazing shows that were awarded the Keep It Fringe US grant alongside me. I can’t wait to see them while I’m in Scotland!

I’m also really excited to see Woody Fu’s One Man John Wick – this will make me blush with embarrassment but years ago, he did Keanu on a character show and it is still one of my all-time favorites so I’m very excited to see the whole show.

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EdFringe Talk: Pop

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“The story is told with a heartfelt protagonist, larger-than-life Greek chorus, and big, catchy songs.”

WHO: George Oates

WHAT: “Pop is a gig-style musical about a songwriter who leaves their hometown and moves to London to pursue their dream of being heard on the biggest stages. This fast-paced show explores the highs and lows of being an aspiring creative and mixes this relatable sincerity with catchy songs and amazing vocals. The cast of five combines the energy and fun of a pop concert with the intimacy of musical theatre storytelling.”

WHERE: Big at theSpaceTriplex (Venue 38) 

WHEN: Varies (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I was actually lucky enough to go as a performer last year, but this is my first time bringing my own material to fringe or anywhere! I’m super excited to have POP performed as part of the world’s largest performing arts festival, where the eclectic mix of shows means there’s an audience for almost everything. However, the rest of the POP team (both performers and behind the scenes) are making their fringe debuts, so as a company, we are very excited to experience all that fringe has to offer!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

When I first went to the fringe last year, I think I properly realised how big it was. It sounds silly but everyone tells you how much entertainment and theatre there is and you nod your head and agree, but until you’re there I think it’s really hard to grasp how much is actually happening! My experience of the fringe last year really helped shape what kind of show POP is. I really hope it appeals to all the creatives, writers, and performers who come to Edinburgh to experience the buzz of taking a show and trying to get a little bit closer to their big dream!

Tell us about your show.

POP is a musical that explores what it means to write music and embark on the dream of it being heard by many. The story is told with a heartfelt protagonist, larger-than-life Greek chorus, and big, catchy songs. I started writing the show in 2022, and put it forward for Chevron Theatre’s (a company formed by Leeds University Union Musical Theatre Society) 2025 show. Apart from 2 preview performances in Leeds, Edinburgh will be POP’s debut run!

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

POP is a musical all about what it means and what it takes to create music, so it would be rude not to point you in the direction of some of the other fantastic musical entertainment at Fringe. I am personally super excited to see Northern Lights Acapella for some exceptionally performed vocal music, and Hot Mess for a very fun and intriguing take on the break-up musical.

As well as being an exciting new musical, we are also very much a student theatre company, and there is plenty of student theatre from Leeds at the fringe this summer (and hopefully for many years to come!!). There are 4 plays written and produced by Leeds-based student theatre companies – Loose Threads, Lost Paws, Hands Up and Erica Plays Mr Waddiger – that all promise to be great watches. Likewise, the inimitable Leeds Tealights are back again this summer with a brand new sketch comedy group, and I, of course, have to give a shoutout to The Songsmiths, Leeds student a cappella group (who I also musical direct!).

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