Category Archives: Plus 3 2017 – Features

All our features from the 2017 festivals.

+3 Interview: Good Girl

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features by

“I’ve come many years as a punter but this is my first time on the other side of the stage and with my own work.”

WHO: Naomi Sheldon, Actor/Writer

WHAT: “Frank, funny debut storytelling from Naomi Sheldon, in association with Old Red Lion Theatre and Bruised Sky Productions. A bold, provocative look at the darker side of being a good girl. ‘One of these days, am I going to evaporate? Right here?’ GG’s girlhood is unfolding as an inquisitive game, but a mysterious tingling sensation heralds her sexual awakening. Welcome to the 90s, where the only sex education is Madonna.”

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

WHEN: 13:00 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yep, this is my first time doing my own show up here! (Unless you count the student production I did over 10 years ago of a Shakespeare set in a jazz club…) I’ve come many years as a punter but this is my first time on the other side of the stage and with my own work. *bites nails and jumps for joy simultaneously*

Tell us about your show.

Good Girl is a coming-of-age storytelling show about GG, her girlhood, how she navigates the 90s and her BIG FEELINGS. It’s funny and bold and nostalgic whilst asking some hefty questions about self-silencing and how far we’ll go to be a ‘good girl’ (or boy). I wrote it (my debut show) and my husband, Matt Peover has directed it and produced it. We’re a tight team. We have been working in association with the Old Red Lion and have previewed there before Edinburgh. Hopefully, we’ll be taking Good Girl back down to London (and all around) post Edinburgh.

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

You must catch Jayde Adams’ new show Jayded. I’m looking forward to catching Rebecca Humphries Prom Kween again- it’s going to be great. Martin Murphy’s Victim is dark and funny. There’s also the super cute and hilarious Lucy Pearman’s Maid of Cabbage. So many great shows to see!

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+3 Interview: Kate Butch in Kate If You Wanna Go Butcher

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“My show comes from the vast number of shows I have seen, at many different Fringes, as I attempt to distill them down and create the most gimmick-filled show ever seen.”

WHO: Marcus Crabb, Writer/Performer/Drag Monstrosity

WHAT: “Join the Comic Sans of Drag, Kate Butch, for an hour of comedy, songs and games. Catch ‘a great comedian’ (WhatsOnStage.com) in her debut solo show, fresh(ish) from appearing in the cult Edinburgh smash, The Room: The Musical, discussing pornography, marriage, and dot-to-dot puzzles. Winner of York’s Lip-Sync Lollapalooza, and three-time moral winner of York’s Lip-Sync Lollapalooza, Kate Butch will tickle your comedic taste buds with filth, gore and cassette tapes (subject to availability).”

WHERE:  Laughing Horse @ Espionage (Venue 185)

WHEN: 21:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third year performing in Edinburgh. For the last two years I’ve been improvising with my university’s troupe, The Shambles. In my first year I also performed in The Room: The Musical, based on the legendary worst film ever made, which happened at 1am in City Cafe’s basement. People flocked to it and went crazy for it, which helped me fall in love with the Fringe; the weirdest ideas in the dead of night can be and are seen, and there’s a lot of love there.

Tell us about your show.

Kate Butch, the Comic Sans of Drag, was born during my time at the University of York, as part of the drag collective Haus of Dench. We came together (hello) as fans of the TV Show RuPaul’s Drag Race and thought ‘we can do that, can’t we?’ and eventually gave it a go. We host the club night Lip Sync Lollapalooza and most of us are gracing the Fringe this year in various capacities, from an improvised Doctor Who show to a play about sad robots.

My show comes from the vast number of shows I have seen, at many different Fringes, as I attempt to distill them down and create the most gimmick-filled show ever seen. There is a powerpoint.

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

I’ve worked at the Buxton Fringe as box office manager for the past seven years, so I get to see a lot of Edinburgh-bound shows before most other people. This year I saw Richard Carpenter is Close to You and Harriet Braine’s Total Eclipse of the Art which both had me laughing more than I thought possible. Also go and see my dear friends at The Shambles, and see if you can pick out which one will follow in my footsteps to become the next improviser-turned-disappointment to parents. I’ll be going home after my show, but eligible bachelors are more than welcome to join me.

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+3 Interview: Gary Tro: SupercalifragilisticexpiGARYTROcious

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features by

“I love the fringe. It’s like puberty but with more Berocca.”

WHO: Gary Tro, The genius.

WHAT: “This is a show for everyone who feels a lack of fulfilment. This is a show for anyone who struggles with perseverance. This is a show about commitment… maybe. As seen on BBC iPlayer and as not seen on BBC Radio 4.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

WHEN: 17:00 (5 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve taken a show up every year since 2011. I love the fringe. It’s like puberty but with more Berocca.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this show in 2015, took it to the fringe in 2016 and am taking it back again due to a complete lack of demand! The show was a massive commercial disaster last year – hardly anyone saw it. I was in a venue in butt-fudge nowhere at a ridiculously competitive time.

However, the feedback from everyone that did come was overwhelmingly complimentary. And I love doing it. I think it’s a fantastic show, which I’m really proud of. It’s some of the most hilariously honest bullshit you’ll ever see.

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

MARVELus: All the Marvel movies. Kind Of. 12:30pm // The City Cafe.

It’s a sketch/semi-improvised show based on the current Marvel superhero movies!

As recommended as it is geeky!

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+3 Interview: Carmen Lynch: Lynched

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features by

“Is this what runners feel when they sign up for a marathon??”

WHO: Carmen Lynch, Writer & Performer

WHAT: “In her UK debut hour Lynched, Carmen Lynch (Inside Amy Schumer, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan) shares her twisted, singular stand-up comedy, which frequently dips into the dark side. Childless and drug-free (but only because of her heart murmur), she’ll share her views on Jesus, giraffes, scoliosis, her Spanish mother and, very often, death.”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House (Venue 170)

WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time doing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! Im from NY and have no idea what to expect. But everyone says you cry and lose your sh*t and get sick and I said “why not?” Life is short. Is this what runners feel when they sign up for a marathon??

Tell us about your show.

I wrote my show. This is all of my darkest material (I heard the UK likes it edgy!) and summers in the U.S. can be slow when it comes to road gigs. Also, I need to try haggis on toast. I did a few previews in London, and I’m excited to bring it to the fringe. Afterwards I guess I’ll take it wherever anyone wants to see it- if not then it’s time to go home and write more!

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

Katharine Ferns and Maria Shehata have great shows that are a must see! Also check out Joke Thieves for some massive laughs!

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+3 Interview: 5 Children and It

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features by

“…we do like our adaptations.”

WHO: Emma Burford, Co-Writer of the adaptation and Producer

WHAT: “Capturing the imagination of the young through the nostalgia of the Edwardian era, Five Children and It tells the simple story of five siblings who meet a magical sand fairy, the Psamiad. The Psamiad grants the children a wish a day and chaos ensues. For audiences aged 6-600, this adaptation of E Nesbit’s classic will charm the young and old(er)! An ensemble cast of all-female performers from Putney High School will venture to bring this magical book to life with puppetry, physical performance and the timeless words of E Nesbit herself.”

WHERE: C venues – C royale (Venue 6) ​

WHEN: 11:55 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope! This is our second year that PHTC has come to Edinburgh, but with a wonderful new cast! Not that our cast last year was not amazing! Last year we worked with the C Venues again to produce YPFii an adaptation of The Trojan Women, this year we are so excited to be producing an adaptation of E Nesbit’s 5 Children & IT, we do like our adaptations.

Tell us about your show.

Sure, so originally written by the wonderful E.Nesbit, who also wrote ‘The Railway Children’ we are attempting to capture the absolute delight of the book that reads over 5 hours into a 40 minute show!

It will be performed by a vibrant, all-female cast of nine 17 year olds who are fantastically playful and talented. We merge puppetry with storytelling to bring to life the Psammead, who grants wishes to the children in the play. We are having two preview performances in London before bringing the show to the C Royale for a week from the 13th August.

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

We are really excited to see so much this year – audiences are really spoilt for choice! Top recommendations must be Education, Education, Education by the Wardrobe Ensemble, Mars Actually and The Jurassic Parks by Superbolt, All Quiet on be Western Front by Incognito Theatre did amazingly last year and the lads have had an amazing season in New York, for some a cappella to die for we would recommend Pitch Purple at the C Venues and finally we HAVE to mention, because it is pure joy Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour – so much fun, our favourite moment last year was running into the grassy world of Bruntsfield Links Park as it was getting dark dancing to Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush!

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+3 Interview: 1 Woman, a High-Flyer and a Flat Bottom: Samantha Baines

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“Expect facts, puns and a whiskey bottle attached to an ear trumpet.”

WHO: Samantha Baines, Writer/Perfromer

WHAT: “Award-winning comedian Samantha Baines (The Crown, Sunny D, BBC Radio 4) returns to Edinburgh after a smash-hit, sell-out run in 2016. This year she’s exploring the lost women of science. Expect facts, puns and an ear trumpet attached to a whiskey bottle. It’s science meets funny.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ​

WHEN: 15:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

Gosh well quite a bit has happened! I got married that was a big event and a big bill. I am in Netflix series The Crown which came out last year and includes a stella cast the like of which makes me think “why am I in it?!” – I think there was a mix up with the casting and they just didn’t realise but I had the best time filming it. I also published a comedy poetry book which I have two boxes full of at home if anyone would like one? My father also died this year which has been really tough but I mention some fond memories of him in my show this year.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it, I perform it and it’s all about me! Actually my show this year is about the lost women of science with a bit of me thrown in for good measure. I set myself the challenge of finding some amazing women in science to readdress the balance of doing a whole show last year about Cox (Professor Brian).

I introduce three wonderful women from science that I’ve discovered during my research with the aim of celebrating them and raising awareness of their amazing achievements. Expect facts, puns and a whiskey bottle attached to an ear trumpet.

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

Well… I also have another show called 2 Girls 1 Cup of Comedy which is a comedy line up of TV names and some of the best new comedians. I host the show and it’s produced by Kate Lennon and we always have at least two women on the bill but usually many more! 2 Girls 1 Cup of Comedy bears no relation to THAT youtube video and is on at 11pm at Just the Tonic at the Mash House, 3rd – 27th August.

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+3 Interview: Becoming Scheherazade

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features by

“It’s a personal story as much as a theatrical one.”

WHO: Kamaal Hussain, Writer/Director/Performer

WHAT: “The Thief of Baghdad presents Becoming Scheherazade. Magic and reality collide as one British Arab navigates the voyages of Sindbad and tries to make sense of his own family’s relationship to their migration from Iraq to the UK. ‘One wants to tell a story, like Scheherazade, in order not to die. It’s one of the oldest urges of mankind. It’s a way of stalling death’ (Carlos Fuentes).”

WHERE: Summerhall (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 15:00 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, but the last time I performed there was in 1995! I’ve been coming the Fringe regularly as a punter for years, but haven’t brought a show in over 20 years!

Tell us about your show.

Becoming Scheherazade is an examination of my family’s migration to the UK from Iraq, all beautifully interwoven with the stories of Sinbad from the Arabian Nights.

It really looks at the human story of migration, and challenges the assumptions made about Arabs in the UK.

As it’s a personal story as much as a theatrical one, it’s written by me, and has been fomenting in my mind over the last couple of years.

After the Fringe, I hope to tour.

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

I saw Every Brilliant Thing a couple of years ago, which was marvelous. The Jurassic Parks is fun too!

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+3 Interview: Happily Never After

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“Each show is different, of course, but they all have dark comedy, improvised music and songs and, quite regularly, a number of improvised deaths.”

WHO: Jen Rowe, Performer

WHAT: “Award-winning improvisers The Maydays present this skin-prickling tale full of black comedy and haunting music, inspired by the warped imaginations of Tim Burton, Lemony Snicket and the Brothers Grimm. Starting with your suggestion, The Maydays take you on a bone-chilling journey, meeting the grotesque and the innocent, weaving a fantastical story that’s different every time. Happily Never After returns to edfringe for a second year after sell-out shows across Europe.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, we’ve been coming to the Fringe, on and off, since 2007 with various improvised shows. The Maydays have been running since 2004 so we have a fair few shows under our belt! Previously, we’ve brought The Improvability Drive, Confessions and Oh Boy! The Quantum Leap show to the Fringe. This is the second year with Happily Never After and we can’t wait.

Tell us about your show.

Happily Never After is a loose homage to the films of Tim Burton, the Brothers Grimm and other dark tales. The company (The Maydays) have been working together for around 14 years; we’ve often found that our performances have a certain flavour to them that we’ve really been able to harness for this show.

Joe Samuel is our musical director, our regular pianist and the originator of the idea, although we’ve all had a part in its development. Each show is different, of course, but they all have dark comedy, improvised music and songs and, quite regularly, a number of improvised deaths. We have a very distinctive ‘look’ for this show – you’ll recognise us by our black and white stripes.

We’ve recently performed at Barcelona, Athens and Finland improv festivals to rave reviews. In fact, we’ve been a bit overwhelmed with the response so far!

After the fringe, we’ll be performing at London’s The Nursery Theatre and at the Birmingham Improv Festival. We also run two improv Retreats and regular classes so we’ll be gearing up for all of that too.

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

The improv community in the UK is still very small but produces some amazing stuff, both improvised and scripted. Performers in our own show are also in Impromptu Shakespeare, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Schutte the Unromantic, Nightmare Live, Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes, Rhiannon Vivian’s Office Meltdown, The Science of Cringe and Bumper Blyton Improv.

Personally, I’ll also be going to see Rhinocerous at the Lyceum, Cacophany at Sweet Venues and The Time Machine at Voodoo Rooms. And Baby Wants Candy, which is now an Edfringe institution.

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+3 Interview: Scribble

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“The common thread that links all of us is new writing and it’s great to bring all we’ve learnt from previous years to Scribble!”

WHO: Rachel D’Arcy, Producer

WHAT: “Bran flakes, anxiety and gravity. The smallest moments in history. The largest events in the universe. Blink and you’ll miss it. This scribble from your chest. New writing about mental health and supernovas from Andy Edwards, directed by Amy Gilmartin. Winner of the inaugural Assembly Roxy Theatre (ART) Award. Developed under Playwrights’ Studio Scotland Mentoring Programme, with support from the Tom McGrath Trust, Scribble was selected for a rehearsed reading at the Traverse Theatre’s 2016 Hothouse showcase for emerging Scottish artists.”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 15:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our first Fringe as a team working together, however as individuals we have been kicking around Edinburgh during Festival time since 2012. Our playwright Andy presented his first full length play, Killing Time at Bedlam Theatre with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company that year, and our director Amy has presented a lot of work with her company Urban Fox going back to 2013. I’ve worked on shows at the Festival since 2014 and came back with Paines Plough at the Roundabout @ Summerhall. The common thread that links all of us is new writing and it’s great to bring all we’ve learnt from previous years to Scribble!

Tell us about your show.

Scribble began life during Andy’s time being mentored by Rob Drummond on the Playwrights’ Studio Scotland mentoring scheme. It was presented at the Traverse Theatre’s Hothouse season in 2016 as a script-in-hand reading and then the Assembly Roxy Theatre ART Award came up and Andy and Amy went for it because the Fringe felt like a great place to have a really wide conversation with a really varied audience.

After they got the award they approached me, and the team has been growing ever since! We have Blair Coron composing our music, recent RCS graduate Jenny Booth is doing our set and costume design, and Alan MacKenzie is playing the lead role.

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

Immediately after our show (in the same space!) is Mental by Kane Power Theatre which looks great. It’s been great being on social media as we’ve connected with the creative team there and are really looking forward to meeting them in person.

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+3 Interview: Merrily We Roll Along

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“The musical score is punchy, lyrical and contains some of Sondheim’s most sparkling narrative writing…”

WHO: Bridget Biggar, Artistic Director

WHAT: “Following last year’s five-star reviews for Sondheim’s Assassins at the Fringe, BB Theatre Productions present a poignant, uplifting musical which explores friendship, ambition and the pressures of showbusiness, capturing the life turning points of three friends. A unique musical, portraying the disintegration of a friendship back through time to youthful confidence and hope. Sondheim’s hummable melodies and Furth’s powerful yet funny script interpreted by a professionally trained cast and live band.”

WHERE: C venues – C (Venue 34) 

WHEN: 12:10 (130 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We are very excited to return to The Edinburgh Fringe after our inaugural production of Sondheim’s Assassins in 2016. This year we are excited to present another Sondheim classic, Merrily We Roll along. A poignant and uplifting musical, this heart-rending show explores friendship, ambition and the pressures of show business.

Tell us about your show.

Founded in 2015, BPTP’s mission is to bring local talent to the national stage, producing shows with professional production values, a stellar cast and professional band, and this show is no exception. We were thrilled to preview it at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park earlier in July. Next year we are planning on moving away from Sondheim – watch this space!

With a very short, intensive rehearsal period, we cast only those who have played leading roles in other productions and are perfectly suited to the role: we make no compromises. The chemistry and creative energy from putting top talent together to work intensively on inspirational yet stretching music theatre produces memorable and electric performances. We also work as a team with the professional musicians rather than adding them as an accompaniment.

Starting at a hedonistic Hollywood showbiz party in 1976 and working its way back to the New York rooftop in 1957, Merrily We Roll Along portrays the story of three friends who we join at the end of their friendship, tussling with disappointment, heartbreak and disillusionment with fame. The story moves back through time, each musical number perfectly scored to reflect the genre of its era and the emotional roller-coaster of its characters.

The musical score is punchy, lyrical and contains some of Sondheim’s most sparkling narrative writing including Our Time and Old Friends. As two of the friends try to make it into show business, we hear some of Sondheim’s own early frustrations with agents not daring to make the break from traditional musicals. The reverse chronology time structure heightens audience emotion, wistfully pointing out the artistic and personal compromises faced by the characters along the way. A must see, both for Sondheim aficionados, but also for anyone with a passion for musical theatre.

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

Ordinary Days – it’s one of our favourites and every time we see it, we spot something new! A witty, poignant, and ultimately very relatable story about human connection and finding beauty in unexpected places.

Animalphabet – perfect for everyone with music by the Hoosiers. What’s not to like!!

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