Category Archives: Plus 3 2017 – Features

All our features from the 2017 festivals.

+3 Interview: Yianni Agisilaou: Pockets of Equality

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

“Why should she have no pockets just because she’s a woman?”

WHO: Yianni Agisilaou, Performer/Writer 

WHAT: “Yianni accidentally wore his girlfriend’s jeans and discovered that when it comes to pockets, women are far from equal. A funny show about men, women and society’s double standards.”

WHERE: Banshee Labyrinth (Venue 156) 

WHEN: 14:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s actually my FOURTEENTH Edinburgh Fringe. My first Edinburgh was in 1947, where a war-weary Edinburgh welcomed a rag-tag collection of Abbott and Costello knockoffs and blackface minstrels for two weeks of frivolity at the very first Fringe festival. There was a single flyerer named Rory who handed out pamphlets for everyone and the award for best comedy went to a poorly written drama production that was so bad it was good.

But seriously though, I’ve been to the Fringe many times since I first came in 2002 to do a multiple bill show of newer Australian comedians called Raw Prawns (geddit?) I’ve performed at paid venues and free venues, and in 2013 whilst doing a show called Think Big about ambition, I booked the 1200 seat Edinburgh International Conference Centre for a one off performance on the final day and spent the entire month trying to sell it out*

* In answer to your question, no I didn’t. I still sold about 500 tickets though, more than I’d ever sold to anything.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Pockets of Equality and it’s about the funny little rules and double standards floating around society depending on whether we’re men or women. The title comes from the day I accidentally wore my girlfriend’s jeans (yes, accidentally!) and was amazed at the size (or lack thereof) of her pockets. I thought, ‘Why should she have no pockets just because she’s a woman?’ So, having walked a mile in her pockets, it got me to thinking what other situations life makes harder or easier depending on what bits we’ve got. Unsurprisingly, there are hundreds.

I wrote it, and my girlfriend is producing it. We’re being sponsored by Levi Strauss (not really, it’s Calvin Klein). We performed it earlier this year at four festivals in Australia and it got nominated for best comedy show in Perth. Afterwards, we’re going to try to modify it and pitch it to high schools.

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

Oh, there are some amazing things on this year. Red Bastard is doing a new show and I recommend going to see it. He’s one of those characters you’ll either love or hate, but people who love it love it so much that it’s worth shelling out the ticket money and taking a chance.

Eric Davis who performs it is an extraordinary ‘bouffon clown’ (In normal clowning, the butt of the joke is the clown. In bouffon clowning, the joke is on the audience) It’s confronting plus it’s improvised and interactive so it’s different each night and very unique to each audience. Definitely worth catching. Love it or hate it, I guarantee you’ll talk about it afterwards a LOT.

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+3 Interview: Pike St.

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“Pike St. is based on the neighborhood I was raised in so it’ll be doubly meaningful to perform it where I had such life affirming experiences.”

WHO: Nilaja Sun, Writer/performer

WHAT: “Award-winning Nilaja Sun (No Child…) breathes life into a vibrant mix of Lower East Side residents in her latest solo show. At the heart of Pike St. is Evelyn. She’s balancing welcoming her Navy SEAL brother home, keeping her eccentric father out of trouble and providing electricity for her daughter on life-support. All this before a hurricane hits NYC. Pike St. is one of 2017’s unmissable shows.”

WHERE: Roundabout @ Summerhall (Venue 26)

WHEN: 15:00 (75 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first came to Edinburgh in 2010 to perform my last solo piece No Child… The experience of performing for such exuberant and in tune audiences made me promise myself to return with a new show. Pike St. is based on the neighborhood I was raised in so it’ll be doubly meaningful to perform it where I had such life affirming experiences.

Tell us about your show.

Pike St. is a solo piece that follows a family in New York City during a disastrous hurricane. I am excited to be working with Scott Morphee and the Barrow St. Theatre, who originally produced No Child… at the Fringe in 2010, and previously off Broadway and throughout the U.S. from 2006- 2011. After Edinburgh, I will be taking Pike St. to Melbourne, Australia and then back to the States (Detroit, and Berkeley, Ca).

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

I look forward to seeing Adam from the National Theatre of Scotland, at the Traverse. It looks like it will be enlightening, heart breaking and soulful. I go to the theatre to have my heart break a little so this is right up my alley.

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+3 Interview: Stuart Black: It’s the End of the World as We Know It

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“I just love the festival. It’s the best arts festival in the world. But I don’t need to tell you that.”

WHO: Stuart Black, Performer/Writer

WHAT: “The worse the world gets the funnier Stuart Black gets. So there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that the world is totally f*cked, the good news: Stuart Black is in the form of his life, and returns to the Fringe with his funniest show to date.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Tron (Venue 51)

WHEN: 23:40 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming to the fringe since I started doing stand-up in 2004. I just love the festival. It’s the best arts festival in the world. But I don’t need to tell you that. Actually the very first time I came to Edinburgh was way back in the nineties for some day-job related thing. It was winter and I am soft, and from London. It was cold btw. Really cold. I’m talking C.O.L.D. But I don’t need to tell you that.

Tell us about your show.

My show, like most stand-up, is all me. I wrote it, directed it, I’m bloody in it! That’s the beauty of stand-up: you are the absolute boss. But you do have to do all the driving – swings and roundabouts.

I often get described as dark and poetic, which is fair. I don’t really try to be like that. That’s just me being me. I’ve had a crazy life and some of my show is about that. Now I’m feeling old, and some of my show is about that

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

My show is at 23.40 so afterwards you should see a lot of happy drunk people… Why not join them! (Don’t go to Cowgate, watch out for seagulls.)

If you want another show Tiff Stevenson – Bombshell.

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+3 Interview: Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches

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“70 years later a lot has changed and at the same time, nothing has changed.”

WHO: Abigoliah Schamaun, Performer/Writer

WHAT: “What’s the point in pursuing enlightenment when you could just put your feet up and knock back a bourbon? And what passes for happiness these days? Abigoliah is a certified Bikram Yoga instructor; she’s run marathons and Tough Mudders, participated in Crossfit competitions… Why would she bother when you’re just as likely to find those sweet endorphins at the bottom of a pint glass? She dissects mankind’s relationship with wellness and happiness; a show for anyone who’s paused on a treadmill or over a shot glass and wondered ‘wait… what am I doing?’”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate (Venue 61) 

WHEN: 19:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Oh no. this is not my first Fringe it’s not even my FIFTH Fringe!!! I’ve been coming to Edinburgh every year in August since BEFORE the Fringe happened! Back then there were no Q & A’s, no punters. There weren’t even venues. We just had to perform in cardboard boxes. Every night us performers would crawl into our boxes then shout at passers by to come in and join us for a pint and a story. And that was the start of The Fringe. So as you can see, now 70 years later a lot has changed and at the same time, nothing has changed.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches. I’m allowed to put my own name in the title because I wrote it and am the star of it. Live Nation are my producers but, they only came on when they agreed the show wouldn’t be called Live Nation: Namaste, Bitches. That was my bargaining chip and I won.

I’m excited to have my show premiere at the Fringe. It’s a fun stand-up show about obsession; fitness; and the pursuit of enlightenment. After The Fringe I plan on using the show as my platform to run for president. I’m not a politician but I am an American and as a child they told us, anyone can be president. This past year has proved that, so if they let a Reality TV star into the Whitehouse why not a plucky Fringe performer?

My campaign slogan will be: Namaste, Bitches! Let’s make America betteer! Catchy, don’t you think!?

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

I always recommend Tomás Ford. He’s a crazy awesome cabaret performer from Perth who blows my socks off every time. See him in Craptacular at 5pm at the Gilded Balloon. If you don’t see me, fine, if you don’t see him, you’ve done the Fringe wrong.

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+3 Interview: The Man on the Moor

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

“I can’t imagine not being here now. It’s part of me.”

WHO: Max Dickins, Performer/Writer

WHAT: “On 12th December 2015, the body of a man was found dead on Saddleworth Moor. Train tickets showed he’d travelled 200 miles from south-west London, apparently just to die. Despite a national media campaign, he remained unidentified. This is the story of what happened next. Written and performed by Max Dickins of last year’s critical smash-hit The Trunk, this one-man play looks at how people come to disappear and the impact on those they leave behind.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate (Venue 61) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No! This is my eighth year out of nine at the fringe. My love affair started as a student at Leeds University when I came up to do a sketch comedy show with ‘the Leeds Tealights’. It was exciting and inspiring: an almost overwhelming theme park of art. Since then I’ve done double-act shows, 3 solo stand-up shows, a play and various new talent showcase shows. I can’t imagine not being here now. It’s part of me.

Tell us about your show.

My show, which I wrote and also perform, is called The Man on the Moor. It’s a gripping one-man play inspired by an incredible true story. On 12th December 2015, a smartly dressed man was found dead on Saddleworth Moor. He was carrying no form of identification. In his pockets was just £130 in cash and return train tickets from London from the previous day. Despite a national media campaign, he remained unidentified. He appeared to have no family, no friends, and no home. He didn’t even have a name. He was simply known as ‘the man on the moor.’

Three questions abounded: Who was this man? Why did he travel 200 miles to die? And why did nobody seem to miss him? After the police went public with the man’s image, 40 different people reached out to claim ‘the man on the moor’ as their missing brother, father, or friend. These people are the left behind. Those who pick up the pieces when someone they love leaves and never comes home again. This show tells their story.

It debuted at the Kings Head Theatre in July before heading to the fringe. I hope to tour it afterwards.

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

Go and see lunatic genius comic John Kearns, hilarious off-beat poet Rob Auton, and high-paced improvised comedy troupe The Committee.

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+3 Interview: Boris & Sergey’s One Man Extravaganza

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“…we have steamrollered our way to success using a cunning mixture of bribery, prostitution, and micro dosing ketamine.”

WHO: Sergey, Performer 

WHAT: “Join the Balkan bad boys of puppetry at the pinnacle of their careers, the dazzling lights of Hollywood casting a halo around their leathery crowns. But, what goes up must come down… hard. A hilarious and heartfelt homage to Boris & Sergey’s descent into fame. The infamous pair invite you to discover what’s in the box and present the debut of Sergey’s one man show. But, what are Boris & Sergey without Boris… or Sergey? A lonely, rage filled ampersand, hell bent on retribution. Yet another high-octane, bittersweet, hyphenated epic adventure.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Theatre (Venue 8)

WHEN: 21:25 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Boris & I have been coming to Edinburgh for what seems like and eternity… in reality it is 6 years.

Our first show, Boris & Sergey’s Vaudevillian Adventure, was a seven five star sell out smash and the highest rated show of the fringe for three weeks before being pipped in the last week.

Since then we have steamrollered our way to success using a cunning mixture of bribery, prostitution, and micro dosing ketamine.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show, I write all the shows, I enslaved six puppeteers many years ago. They now sleep in a cupboard under the stairs of our old shoe warehouse in Hackney.

We have done some previews in London and we will be embarking on a world tour after Edinburgh, probably starting at Sydney Opera House and finishing in the Royal Albert Hall.

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

A therapist? They should also possibly see an STI doctor, you never know who was sitting on the seat before you, if it was Boris you probably now have incurable Gonorrhoea.

Once you are given the all clear you can see us again in The Omnitorium’s Rotating Rosta of Erudite Amusements and Motley Delights along with Fringe superstars like Red Bastard, Jamie Wood, Many Godden, Spencer Jones, Lucy Hopkins and more.

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+3 Interview: Danny O’Brien: RaconTour

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“I did my first solo show in Edinburgh in 2012 and loved it. I have been back every year since…”

WHO: Danny O’Brien, Performer/Writer

WHAT: “Award-winning Irish comedian Danny O’Brien returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with his most adventurous and unique solo show to date. After inheriting a broken-down, unreliable, older-than-he-is motorcycle, Danny decided to take to the road on a comedic expedition. Come hear the story of this RaconTour – in all its glory, failures, and triumphs alike!”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate (Venue 61)

WHEN: 22:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No. I did my first solo show in Edinburgh in 2012 and loved it. I have been back every year since and I’m stepping things up this year with a show that has far surpassed all previous years. I love the Fringe and though it nearly breaks you every year, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and produced this show myself which has been a hell of a lot of work but I’m incredibly excited about it and it’s been worth all the graft.I have done several previews in Ireland and the UK but the full show will premier at The Fringe this year.

I have already booked a “Four Provence” tour in Ireland after Edinburgh and a two week Asia tour in November and I’m in the middle of booking a 2018 International tour that will be in the UK, Sweden and the US to name but a few places!

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

Well seeing as they are already in the Underbelly Cowgate they should go see the legendary late night show (with gratuitous amounts of nudity) Spank! after my show, its always so much fun. I’d highly recommend seeing Foil, Arms and Hog’s new show Oink also, they are an amazing sketch trio who are at the top of their game right now.

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+3 Interview: Margarita Dreams

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

“I’d forgotten what a joy writing sketch comedy is – there is the freedom to go anywhere and do anything.”

WHO: Richard Sparks, Writer/Director

WHAT: “Dave is on the beach, in Mexico, drinking margaritas. He drifts off… into a whirl of absurdities. Cross-dressing, phone-induced paranoia, a four-way divorce, a spirit-reading summoning a flasher, String Theory explained, the modern technology-addled brain (with robotic legs), a very strange romance, disappointed parents – and finally, a riot at the Shy People’s Encounter Group, ending harmoniously in disco therapy. Funny where nine margaritas can take you… ‘Will enthral and enchant all who venture through this theatricum botanicum’ (Jack Black). ‘Great material by a master comedy craftsman’ (Griff Rhys Jones). ‘A delicious comedy cocktail’ (Kathy Lette).”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 17:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No – I wrote and appeared in two Oxford Revues (starring Mel Smith) in 1972 and 1973, and two later two-man shows in 1974 and 1976 at the Demarco Gallery. So this is something of a second adolescence for me, which came completely out of the blue. I’ve been mentoring four young talents from Los Angeles, where I now live, by Skype since December. In February, we thought – hey, Edinburgh, why not? So I’ve written a completely new all-action comedy sketch show for them.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it and am directing it, and PW Productions is producing. Bella Speaight is the pebble that started this whole avalanche. We started working by Skype on a number of scenes and projects, and she soon brought Sophia Compton on board. When I started writing Margarita Dreams, in February, I wanted four performers rather than just two, and they already knew Jack Baxter and Jason Brasier, who have worked together a lot.

They’re all a great fit, all work really well with each other, and the show now has a lot of variety of characters and scenes as a result. It all came flying out, and I can’t thank them enough for being the inspiration to come up with all this wild and wonderful stuff. I’d forgotten what a joy writing sketch comedy is – there is the freedom to go anywhere and do anything.

Edinburgh is our premiere this August, and after that – who knows? We could easily move it on, as I’ve written enough material for another complete hour. We could expand it into a two act-show and sell some margaritas in the interval.

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

Alexei Sayle. I produced the charity music/comedy show Fundamental Frolics (Apollo Victoria, BBC TV) for Mencap in 1981 (the Year of the Disabled), which I asked Alexei to compere. It was his first big gig, with all the Not The Nine O’Clock News team, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Stephane Grapelli, the totally unknown Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, two-thirds of The Police, and others.

Alexei held it all together brilliantly, and I love his comedy. It will be excellent to see him live on stage again after so long. He’s on in the same room as ‘Margarita Dreams’ not long after we finish, so we’ll just hang around in the bar for a couple of hours. Also Lucy Porter, another fine stand-up comedian who makes me laugh a lot.

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+3 Interview: Otto & Astrid: Eurosmash! (Die Roten Punkte)

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“…has the danciest songs about aliens and fruit…”

WHO: Astrid Rot, Performer

WHAT: “Berlin’s premiere art rock duo, Otto and Astrid of Die Roten Punkte, perform unashamedly slick, Eurovision-inspired pop from their new album Eurosmash! amidst some inevitable sibling dysfunction and punk spirit anarchy.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate (Venue 61)

WHEN: 21:10 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

My brother Otto and I first played Edinburgh in 2009 with our show Super Musician and then again in 2013 with Kunst Rock (Art Rock), and in 2015 we hosted Otto & Astrid’s Haus Party which was the most fun variety show ever! This year our show Otto & Astrid – Eurosmash! has the danciest songs about aliens and fruit so we’re very excited to share this with everyone!

Tell us about your show.

Otto and I wrote all the songs – well we wrote most of them together – Otto wrote the song Look at My Fruit about…. eating fruits on a date and I wrote Body Slam which is about mixing wrestling with sex on a date with truly excellent results!

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

I think they would enjoy seeing Laura Davis, Hannah Gadsby, Children Are Stinky, Butt Kapinski and Wild Bore.

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+3 Interview: Blank Tiles

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“Hopefully the show will be picked up by big shot Hollywood producers who will turn it into a film staring Tom Hanks and Helen Mirren.”

WHO: Dylan Cole, Writer/performer

WHAT: “Scrabble world champion, Austin Michaels (played by Dylan Cole) knew over 200,000 words. Then he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then Austin has been in a race against time to document his memories, his greatest achievements, before they fade from his mind forever. Let Austin tell you his story… if he can remember…”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17)

WHEN: 15:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes it is… I’m looking forward to eating a baked potato while bathing in IRN-BRU.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Blank Tiles, it’s about a Scrabble world champion who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and now spends his days trying to document his most precious memories. The show played at the Melbourne & Adelaide Fringe festivals and is making it’s European debut in the “burgh”. It is written, produced, performed and pimped out to festivals around the world by yours truly.

The company which I creatively call “Dylan Cole presents” started in the womb almost 30 years ago staging a production called Where is the exit? Hopefully the show will be picked up by big shot Hollywood producers who will turn it into a film staring Tom Hanks and Helen Mirren.

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

For more board game action check out James Cook’s Board Game Smackdown at Free Festival daily at 4:45pm at Bar 50 on Cowgate. It’s a show where performers play some board/card/party/tabletop games live on stage. That’s pretty much it.

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