“The new show is more good clean stupid surreal fun.”
WHO: Olaf Falafel, Comedian
WHAT:“Back with another hour of surreal stupidity. Who knows what it will involve, maybe sandpaper, probably conkers. Whatever it is, I personally guarantee your money back if you actually learn something.”
It’s my fifth year – second time doing a full hour long show though. Last year’s show was the award nominated ‘Olaf Falafel and The Cheese Of Truth’ it was also at The City Cafe at 4:15pm so I’m back to hopefully prove it wasn’t all a fluke!
Tell us about your show.
The new show is more good clean stupid surreal fun. There will be some educational sections, for example explaining about the origins of belly button fluff but mostly the show will revolve around my love of cleaning product-based musical instruments.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Michael Stranney’s debut hour ‘Welcome to Ballybeg’ – we shared a show a few years ago so it’ll be great to see what his alter ego Daniel Duffy has been up to.
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“It’s dynamic, real, life affirming, honest, and it makes people giggle too. “
WHO: Tara Robinson, Co-creator / Director
WHAT:“Liz has got an embarrassing problem and these yogurts aren’t helping; her body’s acting up. After sell-out performances at HOME Manchester and a national tour of hospitals, Liz Richardson shares her real life experiences living as a twenty-something with ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease) in this shameless tale of love, laughter and lavatories. Co-created by Tara Robinson and described by audience members as tight, witty and compelling, Gutted is a frank and funny exploration of our relationship to our bodies when they fail us.”
Gutted is about a young twenty-something girl living her life with a chronic bowel illness. It’s about the embarrassment that brings, the people who make it bearable and the things that you find yourself laughing about. It’s a one-woman show featuring Liz Richardson, co-created with me Tara Robinson, and is based on Liz’s own real life experiences. It’s dynamic, real, life affirming, honest, and it makes people giggle too.
It’s a co-production between HOME Manchester and The Conker Group, and is also being produced by Making Room. We premiered the show last year at HOME to sell-out audiences and enjoyed a tour of UK hospitals later in the year. We’re booking a theatre tour for Spring 2018 at the moment so if you’re not in Edinburgh, look out for us nearby…
Gutted has got a bit of everything – laughs, frankness, authenticity, a love story (not soppy), and a bit of education – which itself makes it something of a winner, but it’s also a show about how we deal with shit. We think that’s universal.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m excited about so much: Kieran Hurley’s “Heads Up”, fanSHEN’s “Lists for the End of the World”, Touretteshero “Not I”, Rachel Mars “Our Carnal Hearts”… too many to choose.
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“This year we’re bringing our first full debut hour to the Pleasance Courtyard and we can’t wait to put it in front of a Fringe audience.”
WHO: Mark Jones, Performer / Writer
WHAT:“Innovative sketch duo Sisters snake Fringe-wards, clutching their debut hour to their breast. ‘See them now if you want to witness the birth of something special’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Genius pieces’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘The sharpness of the writing can only be applauded’ (Scottish Daily Mail). ‘A supremely talented ensemble’ (Nicholas Parsons). Sketch Off finalist 2016.”
The pair of us have been coming to the fringe for the last few years. Whilst with the invisible dot, I worked on Liam Williams’ ‘Bonfire Night’, Sheeps’ ‘Skewer The News’ and Lolly Adefope’s ‘Lolly 2’. Last year we performed a 40 minute work-in-progress show on the Free Fringe to test out a heap of material we had accumulated over the last few years. The crowds were really receptive to it so we decided to push on in London. This year we’re bringing our first full debut hour to the Pleasance Courtyard and we can’t wait to put it in front of a Fringe audience.
Tell us about your show.
Our first full hour, ‘White Noise’ is about our three favourite things; comedy, the internet and friendship. Desperate to become famous comedians within the first 50 minutes, we live-stream the entire show to audiences around the world in the hope that it will speed up the process. BUT WILL IT WORK? AND IS THE PLEASANCE WIFI EVEN FAST ENOUGH TO COPE WITH THIS KIND OF SOCIAL EXPERIMENT?! All the answers you seek, and much much less will be revealed in our hour of sketch based jokes n’ gags.
The show has been the culmination of a few year’s writing that began at University. Christy and I lived together in our final year which is where a lot of the writing started. After graduating we entered various competitions and managed to get to the final of the Leicester Square Theatre Sketch-Off in 2017. We’ve been lucky enough to have sold-out our entire run of previews in London and are hoping that that will somehow translate into ticket sales up here in Edinburgh.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
We’re very excited to see Tim Key, Phoebe Walsh, David Elms’ new play Siren, Princes of Main and a heap of others. There’s also some great newcomers this year that we’re really intrigued by.
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“…it’ll be a different show each day for three days.”
WHO: Joshua George Smith, Writer performer
WHAT:“Everybody has their favourite film genre, whether it’s rom-com, action, independent amateur Japanese anime, the list is endless. This year, multi award-winning comedy trio the Sleeping Trees are bringing all of their hit movie shows back to the Edinburgh Fringe: Mafia, Western and Sci-Fi! Without any props or set to aid them and with each show accompanied by a rip-roaring live score, only someone who laments fun would consider missing the greatest movie trilogy since Big Momma’s House. All three shows directed by Tom Parry (Pappy’s/BBC Radio 4). Amused Moose Comedy Award Finalists 2016.”
This is actually our 8th year at the fringe. We first came back in 2009 when we were at the hive (before it was cool) and we have been back every year since. We have always said we will take a break once we’ve done 10. That feels fair.
Tell us about your show.
So we are doing our last three years shows on rotation. So it’ll be a different show each day for three days. They were all written as part of a collaboration with our friends and musicians the Physics House Band and now we have the incredibly talented Ben Hales taking over the job as one man band. After the fringe these shows will be embarking on a bit of a regional tour up until spring, with a little stop off in Belgium. It’s about time we broke the Belgium scene.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
If you fancy a different kind of three piece I can’t recommend Gein’s Family Giftshop enough. Everything I see of there’s is gold and I can’t wait to see their show this year.
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“I guess what keeps me here now is my friends, the beautiful architecture and a love for all things Scottish.”
Iona is a Journalism Student at Edinburgh’s Napier University who you can usually find roaming around the Grassmarket/Cowgate area, either chatting away to everyone or having a good boogie on the dance floor! Having moved away from Edinburgh for a few years she now appreciates even more what this fantastic city has to offer.
In particular she loves Edinburgh’s live music scene and enjoys getting to know all the great people you meet in and around Edinburgh’s pubs and clubs.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and do you follow it?
Whenever something goes wrong my German grandmother says to me, “Es gibt Schlimmeres.” Directly translated this means “there are worse things.” In other words appreciate what you have, stop complaining and get on with it. I would like to think for the most part I do follow this- although I do like a good moan every now and then.
If space invaders came to burn down Edinburgh, but wanted to leave just one thing standing, what would you ask them to leave? (You can’t say the castle. Not even space invaders could capture Edinburgh castle.)
The Cowgate. Then at least we would still have places to dance.
What first brought you to Edinburgh? What keeps you here?
I grew up in Edinburgh. At 16 I moved to Germany for four years and although this was a great experience I always wanted to come back. I guess what keeps me here now is my friends, the beautiful architecture and a love for all things Scottish.
What’s the first live performance you can remember?
My family always took me to see lots of shows when I was younger but none really come to mind. What I do remember is when my mum and I saw seeing Paolo Nutini when I was 14 – love at first sight!
What’s the best live performance you’ve ever attended?
Spartacus at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. My grandmother took me to see this last Christmas. Usually I find ballets too long and therefore tedious at times but this exciting performance, under the new ballet director Igor Zelensky, took me by surprise.
What are you most excited about seeing at #Edfringe17?
This year I have decided to pick a couple of shows which are completely new. As I don’t really know what to expect I am not ‘most excited’ about any one of them – I just hope at the end of the Fringe I can say I experienced something unique.
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“I feel like I have something to say about the world and so I’ve decided to impose that view on the unsuspecting audience. For returners, there are still some dick jokes.”
WHO: Stephen Bailey, Performer
WHAT:“Following his sell-out debut tour and appearances on ITV’s Safeword, Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and W’s Celebrity Advice Bureau, everyone’s favourite ‘guilty pleasure’ (Daily Record) returns with another of his infamous gossips. Join Stephen, support for Katherine Ryan on her UK tour, as he tackles everything from celebrity culture to politics, and from dating to working-class family life. ‘He has charisma, he has his own style, he has a wicked line in material and the ability to go off piste with crowd work that is achingly funny’ **** (One4Review.co.uk).”
WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters (Venue 272)
This is my fourth fringe show but it is the one I am most excited about. In the past, I have just done 60 minutes of stand up – but this year it’s more of a story. I’ve grown up a bit and I feel like I have something to say about the world and so I’ve decided to impose that view on the unsuspecting audience. For returners, there are still some dick jokes.
What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?: Since then I bought my whole family a Toby Carvery (with dessert).
Tell us about your show.
I LIVED the whole thing, started telling people my story through a mic, cut out the fat and a show was born. After the Fringe, I’m taking it on a huge tour to places like Newcastle where I know at least six people. This year the show is all about me being a feminine man in a masculine world. Some men like football, others like lip-syncing to Little Mix and some like both. It’s called the world and it’s fine.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I think after seeing me you should go and see something the complete opposite to me. Like Politics or a play. I also recommend you go and see the Manchester powerhouse that is Eggs Collective. I’ve been on a night out to G.A.Y with these ladies and they aren’t messing about.
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“We’ve just finished a fantastic run at the Bristol Shakespeare Festival.”
WHO: Ailis Duff, Actor
WHAT:“A completely improvised Shakespeare play inspired by audience suggestions. Bursting with comedy, love, tragedy, mistaken identity and everything in-between, this show will delight Shakespeare nerds and newbies alike. Back for a fourth year, the cast buckle on the Bard’s britches to bring you the plays he never wrote.”
This is our fourth year at the Edinburgh Fringe and we’re very excited to be back! We’ve had a wonderful year performing around the country and we’ve just finished a fantastic run at the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, and now we’re heading to the Big Cave at Just the Tonic – our biggest venue yet!
Tell us about your show.
The show group first started in Oxford several years ago, and since then we’ve gathered various improvisers from groups all over the country. We’re made up of a rotating group of improvisers from some of the best groups in the U.K., and we’ll be touring the South West in the Autumn as well as doing several shows in London.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
There is so much wonderful improv to see at this year’s Fringe! A few that we’d recommend are our friends The Maydays and Notflix, as well as the Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure and Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes. Also check out our Bristol improv pals in This is Soap and Murder, She Didn’t Write. So much to choose from!
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“I began making Charlie’s Letters when I was 13 though so in some ways it feels like it’s been a long time coming.”
WHO: Elliott Hasler, Writer, director and lead
WHAT:“An escaped POW’s battle for survival whilst on the run in war-torn Italy, as his wife and son wait for news in England. 16-year-old aspiring director Elliott Hasler’s epic depiction of his great-grandfather’s WWII experiences. Meticulously researched and undergoing production for almost three years, across five countries with scenes filmed around Brighton. The film acts as a testament to the incredible spirit that emerged through the hardships and horrors of the world’s greatest conflict, portraying the human story of an ordinary soldier forced to do the extraordinary. British Film Director – Elliott Hasler, The Next Generation Relsah Productions.”
Yes, and I can’t believe I’m here, it’s not a bad way to celebrate turning 17. I began making Charlie’s Letters when I was 13 though so in some ways it feels like it’s been a long time coming.
Tell us about your show.
I wrote, directed and star in Charlie’s Letters – along with an incredible cast. It’s based on the experiences of my great-grandfather Charlie during WW2. After being freed from an Italian POW camp, Charlie spent 18 months evading Germans, living with peasants and fighting with the underground resistance as he tried to get home to his wife and young son – my grandfather – in England.
Unfortunately Charlie died a year before I was born, but I think the film does him justice. I’ve been geekily obsessed with films since I was 10 and I knew his story would work brilliantly.
The film premiered at this year’s Brighton Fringe where it enjoyed a sell-out, extended run. Off the back of that I’ve been invited to show Charlie’s Letters on Brighton beach’s Big Screen in August and Camden Roundhouse has also invited me to screen Refuge, a short film I’ve just made, as part of its And Now What? festival in October.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
It has to be my fellow Brightonians Kids With Beards – a silly and surreal sketch troupe. They won the Audience Choice Award at Brighton Fringe this year so definitely worth a look.
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“The word ‘Millennial’ is relatively new, and the concept is just crystallising, so we thought it was a more relevant time than ever to write this show.”
WHO: Alex Ferguson, Writer / Producer / Performer
WHAT:“This comic play with poems considers the issues facing an internet generation given a lot of choice without direction. In a trendy bar you’ve never heard of, Tim, a self-assured poet, narrates fellow Millennial, George’s various hypothetical lifestyle choices. Corporate sell-out? Instagram-famous? Vegan activist? Come and see!”
This is not my first time at the fringe, no, I have been up as a performer once before, with a uni production of One Flew Over A Cuckoo’s Nest.
But this is my first time taking completely my own show up, with my mate Geraint Williams (Lovely welsh name I know), who’s a proper actor and that.
I’m dead excited to get involved in all the events, get networking and meet as many people as I can up here. I think our show is strong, and I’d love people to come see it, and I’m excited to face that challenge!
Tell us about your show.
I wrote the show with Geraint in January, and we did so after a lot of our friends had sudden changes of career, and were struggling to come to terms with being 2/3 years out of graduation. It’s about a guy, George struggling with indecision, encountering a charismatic old friend who’s since become a poet. They play out various walks of life for George, narrated with poetry and with much hilarity.
I’d been doing a lot of spoken word poetry and stand up nights, and wanted to start to create a narrative, about Millennials and the stereotypes surrounding them. All Millennials have now entered the work place, or there abouts, and are making an impact. The word ‘Millennial’ is relatively new, and the concept is just crystallising, so we thought it was a more relevant time than ever to write this show.
We premiered at the Liverpool Fringe, at the end of June, a new fringe festival that went down to great success this year. We sold out both nights, and recieved two 4 star reviews by local reviewers.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I have a strong draw to a particular show at the traverse theatre this year, Nina: A Story about Me and Nina Simone. I first saw this at the Unity theatre a couple of months ago, and it blew me away. A one woman show, with songs, detailing a relationship with both Nina Simone’s music and her politically, it strives to make a deep connect with the audience, sometimes to uncomfortable levels.
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“It almost feels like a show and ultimately a team is never quite complete until it has gone through a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.”
WHO: Guillaume Pige, Director and Actor
WHAT:“Part of British Council Edinburgh Showcase 2017 and following a sell-out run at the 2017 London International Mime Festival, Theatre Re presents a powerful, explosive and joyous piece about what is left when memory is gone. Tom is 55, today. As he dresses for his party, tangled threads of disappearing memories spark him into life, unravelling as a tale of friendship, love and guilt. Theatre Re is a London-based international ensemble creating thought-provoking, tangible and poignant work. Its shows examine fragile human conditions in a compelling, physical style embracing mime, theatre and live music.”
This is our fourth Edinburgh! I absolutely love the festival and the whole buzz around it. I also find it very healthy for the work. It almost feels like a show and ultimately a team is never quite complete until it has gone through a run at the Edinburgh Fringe. On stage, it allows us to really own the piece and also gives us the confidence to keep playing with it and be bold. Off stage, we get to see lots and lots of shows together and share life’s incredible moments!
Tell us about your show.
We work mainly through collaboration and The Nature of Forgetting was devised over a period of 2 years by the entire company, which includes actors, mimes, musicians, but also a scientist and public health professionals. We premiered as part of the 2017 London International Mime Festival and then brought the show to the Latitude Festival. After the Fringe we will be touring in the UK in the Spring 2018 and then in the US in the Autumn 2018, which is incredibly exciting!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
We would wholeheartedly recommend The Flying Lover of Vitebsk by Kneehigh. Firstly because we love Chagall and also because we love Kneehigh!
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