Category Archives: EdFestivals 2022

All our coverage from the 2022 festivals.

EdFringe Talk: SK Shlomo: Breathe: The Play That Becomes a Rave

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“Coming out as non-binary is not as scary as I thought it would be.”

WHO: SK Shlomo

WHAT: “In aid of the suicide charity CALM, and sound-tracked live with songs from his upcoming second album, the acclaimed beatboxer is back with Breathe: a breathtakingly theatrical display of bravery and virtuosic performance, recreating the impromptu rave in his living room that not only saved his life but transformed a sleepy village community.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – QueenDome (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 9th Fringe – I think! I have a love hate thing going on with Edinburgh – it’s simultaneously the most amazing, inspiring and magical place in the world, and also the most overwhelming and exhausting… but I cannot wait to get back up there and feel part of the biggest show on Earth.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I learned that I have severe ADHD, I’m entitled to German citizenship, coming out as non-binary is not as scary as I thought it would be, and – if you work hard enough – you totally can create a play that becomes a rave and premiere it at the Royal Albert Hall.

Tell us about your show.

So I have two shows this year, 12.05pm is my “Beatbox Adventure For Kids” empowering the next generation of superstar beatboxers (and their grownups) to stop caring what other people think and just be their true shiny noisy selves

Then 7pm is my offie-nominated solo-show “BREATHE: The Play That Becomes A Rave” which tells my story of becoming isolated and suicidal, and how a bunch of strangers saved my life by throwing the greatest rave of all time… in my village living room!

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

So every night my play that becomes a rave is 70 minutes long, but not gonna lie, you’re likely to leave wanting more. SO on Fridays we have an EXTRA late night offering that starts at midnight called BREATHE: THE CLUBNIGHT. I’m doing an extended DJ set alongside party games and vibes galore and I’m almost more excited for that than the main show! Also, go check out the incredible Abandoman – an Irish freestyle rapping genius who weaves an entire narrative from nonsense the crowd throws at him, it is just joyous and I laugh so much it actually hurts.

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EdFringe Talk: Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Home Truths

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“Since about 2014 I’ve stayed in the same bedroom in the same flat too. It’s sort of my August bedroom.”

WHO: Kiri Pritchard – McLean

WHAT: “Kiri Pritchard-McLean is back and a lot has happened over the last few years. She’s moved back to her home island of Anglesey and gotten some rescue chickens. You can expect jokes about skinny jeans, learning Welsh and white supremacy – something for everyone.”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 3 (Venue 515) 

WHEN: 19:05 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming up to the fringe since 2010. I came up to take part in the semi-finals of SYTYF and dear reader, that’s as far as I got. I came back in subsequent years and worked as a Producer which was so useful. I got to see who were the best venues to work with, what made an act a pleasure to work with from the production perspective and which PRs had the biggest cocaine problem.

Since about 2014 I’ve stayed in the same bedroom in the same flat too. It’s sort of my August bedroom. Every year I discover something new that I love there – usually a new charity shop. I can’t wait to see what I can buy to stop me from crying this year!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

This is a big question! The big answer is; community is everything. I learned that from online gigs, insta lives, podcasts and socially distanced swims in the sea. I’d like to think I’ve absorbed a bit of that but in reality I just think I throw more parties and as life lessons go, that isn’t bad.

Tell us about your show.

Home Truths is written by me and directed by the lad who’s directed all my other stand up shows, Adam Drake. People might recognise Adam as the sweaty one from Goose or the one who is both red headed AND a man in Tarot, I recognise him as the person who takes all the topics I want to talk about, hundreds and hundreds of jokes and jostles them into coherent hours of comedy. I’ve toured this show this Spring but I think it’s getting a big old rewrite and perspective shift ahead of the fringe that I’m simultaneously terrified and excited about. After the fringe I’ll trot back out on tour again which I can’t wait for.

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

There’s so many acts I’m excited about seeing this year. I’ll be watching Tarot every night from the tech box which means as a writer/director I have to work extra hard on the show because I don’t want to cringe or yawn my way through 28 hours of something it was my job to make better. Luckily for me I think it’s the funniest hour of sketch I’ve ever been involved in – weirdly that sentence just made me yawn and cringe. I can’t wait to see Chloe Petts, Sikisa, Sophie Duker, Sofie Hagen, Jessica Fostekew and I suppose I should say a man for balance but I can’t think of any I want to hear talk right now.

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EdFringe Talk: Jamie MacDonald: Reasonably Adjusted

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“I’ve learned that in global pandemics stand up comedians are definitely not key workers. I’ve not absorbed this fully yet or I’d have retrained as a nurse.”

WHO: Jamie MacDonald

WHAT: “The New York Times – America’s “Daily Record” – asked: what’s the worst that could happen to you? Blindness won! Jamie’s not sure it’s that bad. The star of Life on the Blink (BBC Radio 4) and Blind Ambition (BBC Two) once hated his eyes, then he accepted them and nowadays he loves them (he had the same journey with olives). Emotionally detached psycho or just blind happy? Plus if everyone hates blindness why do they listen to audiobooks?”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsmans (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 19:45 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope this is my 7th show at the Fringe. The fringe is unique in that it’s like the hunger games for performers. All year round Stand-up is a collegic profession full of great and wonderful people from all walks of life. But in August when there are 5 billion brilliant shows and a finite number of punters and your show is the best!the gloves are off!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve learned that in global pandemics stand up comedians are definitely not key workers. I’ve not absorbed this fully yet or I’d have retrained as a nurse.

Tell us about your show.

Basically the New York times ran a poll asking people to vote for the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Blind came number 1! Smashed it! Now given that blind people can’t read the flipping paper this is rigged. Plus as a blind guy I don’t think my disability is as bad as all that. This idea that blindness must be a continual drag on my existence is bollocks! Disability and happiness are not mutually exclusive – although they were when at high school I was made to be Glasgow’s only visually impaired hurdler. The show is being jointly produced by Andrew Roach talent and Gag Reflex. No idea where it’s going next. Will have to see how it does in August.

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

There is a tonne of great shows to see this year. Go see these guys: Larry Dean; Liam Farrelly; Jo Caulfield; Lou Sanders.

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EdFringe Talk: Aaron Simmonds: Hot Wheels

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“Gary Oldman is 2 weeks younger than Gary Newman and the word bed looks like a bed when written down. I haven’t been able to absorb anything else as my mind was blown by both of these facts.”

WHO: Aaron Simmonds: Performer

WHAT: “Aaron gained a nickname based solely on being in a wheelchair. Understandably this upset him as there is much more to him than his disability. Annoyingly though it’s actually a really cool nickname. Discover the positive side of being disabled, from having a blue badge to sex in disabled toilets, meeting “Jesus” and everything in-between.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:20 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, it’s not my first time at the festival. I’ve been coming to The Fringe every year (except 20 and 21 for obvious reasons) since 2014 when I was calling myself a comedian despite only doing 3 gigs before coming up. I absolutely love it. It’s my favourite place in the world. Despite Edinburgh being 80% uphill and being a wheelchair user, it’s still my favourite time of year. I think the thing I love most is it is the culmination of a years (2 or 3 in some cases) work. After seeing comedians doing little bits and pieces throughout the year, seeing it as a whole show is incredible.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Gary Oldman is 2 weeks younger than Gary Newman and the word bed looks like a bed when written down. I haven’t been able to absorb anything else as my mind was blown by both of these facts.

Tell us about your show.

So Hot Wheels started as an identity crisis after a one night stand, about my disability, and has ended up into a show that I am incredibly proud of. As we all know the main formula for comedy is: Tragedy + Time = Comedy. With this show however it was more: Crisis + Time x Sex in a Disabled Toilet = Comedy.

The show was written by me, with the help of my director Kevin Shepherd, and produced by Gag Reflex in association with Andrew Roach Talent. Both Gag Reflex and Andrew are my agents (for different things) and I worked with Kev in 2019 so it was all very straight forward in terms of the collaboration on the show and has been a huge part of why everything has gone so smoothly (so far.)

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

As much as you possibly can! Some of the best shows I have seen so far include: Katie Pritchard (6pm pleasance) Sarah Mills (2.05pm Pleasance) Adele Cliff (3.40 Tron) Alice Fraser (9.15 Gilded Balloon) and Glen Moore, not only does he have one of the funniest shows I have seen, he almost certainly has the single greatest pun title of all time. Glenn Moore: Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, Glenn I’m Sixty Moore. (4.20 Pleasance) Oh and I haven’t seen her show yet, but I think Sophie Duker is just amazing at everything and you should go see her.

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EdFringe Talk: Richard Stott: Afterparty

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“My last shows were a look back Afterparty is a look at now.”

WHO: Richard Stott

WHAT: “Richard Stott returns to the Fringe with a brand-new show filled with trademark storytelling and joyously acerbic one liners. The runner-up in Dave’s Jokes of the Fringe 2019 talks about stripping down for a documentary, club nights that turned into afterparties and then into crime scenes, and finally starting to grow up and beginning to like the adult he’s become. All while living with a disability… perhaps. As seen on ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter(Venue 302) 

WHEN: 16:15 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is going to be my third fringe! I honestly tried to run before I could walk with my first one in 2017, I’d only been doing stand up for a matter of months but felt confident enough to bring a 45 min show called Wretched to it. It had it’s highs and lows but I reckon that first run did the ground work for everything else.

2019 was my real debut and I had a great time and surprised myself by nabbing runner up in Dave’s Jokes of the Fringe. Now I’m back with a second hour called Afterparty, a comedy about growing up, feeling your age etc. I’ve missed the fringe, for me it’s a special place that anyone can put on almost anything, you can be watching a TV star one hour then hopping across the road to see your friend you did open mics with. We have to make sure we keep it that way.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Perhaps a lot of them are in the show itself so maybe I shouldn’t give them away. The years between 2019 and now just feel like a fever dream. Now this hasn’t got anything to do with the pandemic but the big thing I’m learning is how to write in the present. My last shows were a look back Afterparty is a look at now. It’s been a long process to get feeling comfortable forming the ideas. I’m pretty proud of where i’ve got to with it.

Tell us about your show.

Afterparty is written and performed by myself and directed by Kevin Shepherd. I also have the help of production team Andrew Roach Talent and Ingenious Fools who’ve been essential in getting the production off the ground.

It’s premiering at Edinburgh and afterwards I hope to develop it more and get some theatre bookings.

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

There’s so many people I could mention here but you can’t fail to have a good time at whatever Sooz Kempner is doing. Her show is called Playstation I believe, I don’t know what it’s about but it doesn’t matter, she don’t miss.

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EdFringe Talk: Eli Matthewson: Daddy Short-Legs

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“It’s ridiculous that anyone ever lets me do this…”

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

WHAT: “Award-winning Eli Matthewson is taking you back through some huge life revelations that took place in some seriously shitty cars, from when he came out to his dad, to 10 years later when his dad came out to him.”

WHERE: Underbelly, George Square – The Wee Coo (Venue 300) 

WHEN: 20:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No this will be my third time performing as a solo stand-up performer – I’ve loved it every time and was all set to go in 2020 but decided not to for my own personal things, not because of anything you might have read about in the global news over the last few years.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Honestly losing so much time, especially as a performer, was just a great reminder of what a privilege it is to have this job. It’s ridiculous that anyone ever lets me do this, and spending so much time not able to, and doing the dreaded Zoom gigs, really made me value getting to be on stage again.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Daddy Short-Legs and it’s all about a huge revelation from my father that truly changed my family dynamic and put me through a bit of a spin. I made this stand-up hour for the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2021, where it won Best Show, and after the Fringe I’ll be taking it to a bunch of Arts Festivals in New Zealand.

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

Snort – it’s an improv show with a hot line up of New Zealand comedians including Rose Matafeo, Alice Snedden, Laura Daniel, Joseph Moore, Nic Sampson and yours truly. It’s the best way to finish a day at the Fringe.

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EdFringe Talk: I Miss Amy Winehouse

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“I Miss Amy has been selected for the 2022 VAULT Festival, Brixton House Theatre’s opening season Housemates and this year’s Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam. After all that, can it still premier when it goes to Edinburgh? I’m not sure I understand how that works…”

WHO: Suchandrika Chakrabarti: writer / performer

WHAT: “I Miss Amy Winehouse is the first solo hour from writer / comedian / journalist Suchandrika Chakrabarti (shortlisted for the inaugural VAULT FIVE scheme, regular writer on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Funny Women Stage Awards semi-finalist 2020, British Comedy Guide Pro Performance Awards finalist 2020). It’s 11 years since Amy Winehouse died. Suchandrika is a fan who partied the 2000s away in Camden, but never got to meet her musical hero. She’ll take you back in time to put that right. Brush up on your favourite Amy Winehouse trivia because there will be quizzes!”

WHERE: Paradise in The Vault – The Annexe (Venue 29) 

WHEN: 12:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is the first time I’ve brought a show to Edinburgh, yes. I’ve been before as a punter, and just loved the energy, the incredible variety of shows to see and the way the timings work well with my natural tendency towards being nocturnal. I’ve even got sunburned sleeping off a hangover in Princes Street Gardens. Now I can’t wait to be on the other side of the Fringe!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Wow, what a question! On the whole, I don’t think I know yet. We’re still in the pandemic, and so much has happened in the world in those years – I’m not sure I’ve got to grips with everything at all. There is one thing, though: what is now my one-hour comedy show started life as the first two chapters of a novel during lockdown – one I’d been trying to write for a long time – but, even with good feedback from an agent, my instincts told me that no, this manuscript will never be finished. The narrator has got too much of a ‘voice’… could it be a show? I trusted that little inner voice, and it was right.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote I Miss Amy Winehouse, which is my debut stand-up hour, so naturally I’m performing it as well. In the show, I promise to take the audience time-travelling back to Camden in the mid-2000s, when I was working and partying hard in Camden, like Amy Winehouse. Maybe this time I’ll get to meet my musical hero? The show is about the absurdity of grief, the strangeness of celebrity, the joy of sticky nights out in Noughties Camden – and what it means to truly miss someone. With the aid of slides, Google Maps and, of course, a hologram of the late Robert Kardashian, I set out to find the solution for longing… in 60 minutes. I’ve not worked with a producer or director on this show, but I have been very lucky to get onto Soho Theatre’s Edinburgh Labs course this summer, which has introduced me to people who have been great sounding-boards for my show and all the stuff around it, in the way that a producer or director can be. I Miss Amy has been selected for the 2022 VAULT Festival, Brixton House Theatre’s opening season Housemates and this year’s Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam. After all that, can it still premier when it goes to Edinburgh? I’m not sure I understand how that works… and, yes, I am taking to at least one festival afterwards, but I can’t announce that yet.

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

Well, of course you must see all the shows by my Edinburgh Labs classmates! Check out Posey Mehta’s I Am Not A Gorilla, Sid Singh’s Illegally Funny, Chelsea Birkby’s No More Mr Nice Chelsea, Phil Green’s 90s Boy – Blair, the Lovegun and Me, Michael Kunze’s Lil Saffron: Ragu to Riches… honestly, check them all out, they’re brilliant shows and Soho Theatre seems to like them!

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