Category Archives: EdFestivals 2024

EdFringe Talk: UK Pun Off

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“It’s a great festival because there is something for everyone, and now I get to perform in it!”

WHO: Stevie Vegas

WHAT: “The hit online show UK Pun Off has made the transition to a live show and is coming to Edinburgh! Four top comics will have three jokes on different topics and it is up to the audience to decide the winner of each round to crown the winner. We also look for the audience’s best puns on each of the topics to be read out at the end of each round and prizes are up for grabs for the audience member with the best pun. ‘Exceptional’ (NottsComedyReview.wordpress.com). Winner of Best Panel Show 2022 (Late Stage Comedy).”

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

WHEN: 13:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been attending EdFringe as a punter for over 20yrs now. My favourite time of the year, especially as I now live in England. I get to move back home with my Parents in Stirling and travel in each day! It’s a great festival because there is something for everyone, and now I get to perform in it!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I performed twice on the UK Pun Off show last year. I have won it since at Leicester Comedy Festival, so I have an idea how better to present my jokes to the audience this time round!

Tell us about your show.

The UK Pun Off is hosted by the punderful Iain MacDonald, who is doing the full-run.

It features 4 punsters who have been given 4 topics in advance (eg Sport, America, Winter, Drinks), and they each get to tell 3-4 jokes on each topic. After each topic, the audience clap and vote for their favourite punster, and whoever wins the most rounds… wins! Different topics and different lineups each day.

I am competing from 16-25 August as that’s the dates that I am up for (after the shows, I’ll head out and enjoy watching loads more shows as a regular punter!)

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

They should go and see Iain MacDonald’s Around the World in 80 Puns. They should grab the leaflets from the 4 punsters who have competed in the UK Pun Off on that day, and consider seeing their shows also! You will find many of these one-liner comedians also taking part in “Aaaaaaaaaaargh! It’s the One Liner Show” (this doesn’t have a twitter address, but I want to give it a big shout out!)

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

EdFringe Talk: Chelsea Birkby: This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“In the buzz of it all it struck me that part of the magic of the fringe is that instead of that energy being generated for one superstar, it’s being generated for hundreds of performers, many of whom you’ve never heard of.”

WHO: Chelsea Birkby

WHAT: “Following her award-winning debut and sell-out run, Chelsea Birkby’s back with a meditation on lust for life. Playfully combining pop culture and philosophy in this smart and silly show unpacking being in the moment, desire and also ass. ‘Very funny… There’s a sharp mind behind the sweet exterior’ **** (Telegraph). ‘Brilliant… Hugely promising and already accomplished’ **** (Scotsman). ‘A real star’ ****½ (Sunday Post). ‘Deceptively smart’ **** (Fest). Amused Moose Best Debut 2022. Comedian’s Choice Best Show Nominee. Best Jokes 2022 (Telegraph, Times). Writer on Mock the Week. Ass seen on BBC Three.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Out of the Box (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 21:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I just got off the LNER back from Edinburgh! I was lucky enough to get tickets for Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour (How? I sold 4 kidneys). It was magical, life-affirming and kinda unhinged- the shows triggered earthquake monitors! As a fringe goer, it was funny walking around town because, for a second, you could imagine it was August with the festival in full swing, just with more cowboy hats, bejewelled bodysuits and ‘tay-keaway frose’. But in the buzz of it all it struck me that part of the magic of the fringe is that instead of that energy being generated for one superstar, it’s being generated for hundreds of performers, many of whom you’ve never heard of.

Last time I brought a show, it was my debut. I didn’t know what to expect or who would come! So I was over the moon to have busy rooms, lovely reviews and even leave with an award and a nomination! That’s only possible because a bunch of comedy fans liked the cut of my jib, thought ‘sure, why not’ and came to see me in my cave! That makes the fringe so special – I can’t wait to wander into pub function rooms and lecture halls and see what people have come up with to share with us!

This time I’m returning with show two. I also don’t know what to expect!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I didn’t set a New Year’s resolution this year because I’ve stuck to one in my life. I’m no stats expert, but that’s not a good hit rate. For 2024, I chose a word of the year: motion. I noticed that a lot of words about depression are frozen: ‘stuck in a rut’, ‘standstill’, ‘slump’ . Motion felt like the answer! And if it’s come as a surprise to you reading this that I’ve been depressed, can I remind you that in this interview alone you’ve discovered I’m a stand-up comedian and a Taylor Swift fan (she’s emo at heart, if you know, you know).

‘Motion’ has been so liberating. Somedays, I think ‘motion’ and go for a walk (turns out it’s good for your mental health, boo). Thinking ‘motion’ gave me the confidence to give up on books I’m two-thirds through because I’m just not invested in the plot (sorry, the Dictionary). And ‘motion’ has meant I’ve followed the flow of my writing, even when it leads somewhere I wasn’t expecting. Did I intend to write so much about this horse I met? NO! Did I intend to write about the meaning of ass in today’s society? No. But here we are.

Tell us about your show.

My show’s called ‘This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky’. It’s an hour of stand-up about not intellectualising everything and instead living in my body in the moment. And I do that by … intellectualising everything 🙂

I’m taking direction from Dan Emery and Molly Stacey, who are almost painfully perceptive hehe. I really trust them. They’ve encouraged me not to pull back from being silly and spontaneous, spotting my fear that it’s somehow “not allowed” in a finished show. And I’m on a mission not to be apologetic about my jokiest jokes and most smarty-pants stuff. As a result, the show is extra vulnerable, silly and cerebral!

I’m returning to the Caves with Just the Tonic. I love those rooms they’re just pure fringe. I’m in a bigger one for show two- scary/ exciting! Just a few more work-in-progress shows in June and July before stopping off at Tebay en route to Cowgate! Where it takes me after, we’ll see!

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

Grubby Little Mitts. They’re a sketch duo who get up to lots of mischief. Unabashedly silly and their chemistry is electric. Plus Rosie is a hair icon!

Louise Atkinson – I missed her first show and won’t make that mistake this time!

I can’t wait to see Olga Koch’s new show, she’s just the whole package.

I think this is gonna be Celya AB’s best yet, I’m so excited by what she’s talking about.

And if philosophy has caught anyone’s eye, one of my fringe faves is Stand-up Philosophy with Alex Farrow: comedians tackling the biq questions with big laughs, different lineups every day.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

EdFringe Talk: Old Man

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

“The fringe community is a generous one, we’re all here to create and share art and comedy – I suppose trying to find a balance between pacing yourself and supporting others is what I need to learn. Or maybe I should just schedule things further ahead! That’s a problem for Future Jon.”

WHO: Jon Tilley

WHAT: “Turn on the radio, have a cup of tea – and don’t forget to take your pills! Get ready for an action-packed journey through the imagination of a playful, solitary old man as he discovers treasured memories of raising his late son. Mischievously recreating childlike memories with an undercurrent of grief, Old Man is a masterpiece of modern clowning, where the anguish of loss is beautifully juxtaposed with innocent joy. This show is non-verbal, and blends physical theatre, clowning and mime. Winner of the Brian’s Life Award, Prague Fringe 2023. Directed by Oliver Fife-Nilsson, produced by Ellen Fife-Nilsson.”

WHERE: Summerhall – Red Lecture Theatre (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, this will be my fifth time at Edinburgh Fringe and every year has been unique! I performed with university people way back when and then, the second year (2019) I was part of the Latebloomers performing Scotland! with Ollie Fife-Nilsson and Sam Dugmore. Then in 2022 and 2023 I was performing Attenborough and his Animals with Clownfish Theatre and in 2023 I was also performing with mine and Ollie’s company, Jon & Ollie for our kids show Strictly Barking at Gilded Balloon. The variety is one of the things that makes Edinburgh Fringe stand out as the world’s best fringe festival for both audience and performers – no two years are the same! This year I’ll be performing a solo show at Summerhall, Old Man, and also am part of a sketch comedy show called MIME CLUB.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Something I’m trying to learn (and might learn one day!) is how to pace myself. Having been part of multiple shows for multiple years – which I’m doing again this year – requires a lot of stamina both mentally and physically. Plus there is sometimes pressure when performing at fringe festivals to not miss out on anything and support fellow artists – you want to see everything, meet everyone, catch up with friends and make new connections. This year Old Man is on for 11 shows and MIME CLUB is on for 16, both in the first half of the fringe, so I’m not doing the full run as a performer this year (but still am in talks to tech things!). Maybe I am learning to pace myself?! But supporting everyone is crucial for me. The fringe community is a generous one, we’re all here to create and share art and comedy – I suppose trying to find a balance between pacing yourself and supporting others is what I need to learn. Or maybe I should just schedule things further ahead! That’s a problem for Future Jon.

Tell us about your show.

Old Man is a piece of non-verbal theatre that uses clowning, mime and physical comedy to explore play, grief, loneliness and storytelling. It’s a solo show that follows a nameless old man as he searches through a box of his absent son’s belongings, rejoicing in happy memories of parenthood and mischievously recreating childlike memories. But there is an undertone of grief lies beneath the surface, which leaves the audience with tears of laughter, sadness and a longing for family connections.

I created this piece with Ollie Fife-Nilsson, the other half of Jon & Ollie, who also directed the show. We met while studying at Jacques LeCoq in Paris in 2015 and formed our duo company during the pandemic. Jon & Ollie shows are produced by Ellen Fife-Nilsson. So far Old Man has won the Brian’s Life Comedy Award and the Catania Off-Fringe Award, both at Prague Fringe in 2023. We’ve since taken the show to Italy, England and Scotland and are looking forward to see where it can go next!

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

Of course, if Old Man doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, MIME CLUB is unhinged absurdist comedy sketches showing at Gilded Balloon. Also The Ceremony by Ben Volchok at Summerhall (I’d try and avoid spoilers but every show is different!), Murder She Didn’t Write is a terrific improvised classic murder mystery and Motorboat by Mel McGlensey is hilariously naughty, both showing at Assembly. I’m always a fan of Elf Lyons’ comedy shows and can’t wait to see Horses at the Pleasance, and if you missed out on seeing Jeromaia Detto’s MUSH last year you’ve been given a second chance to see it at Underbelly which I highly recommend.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

EdFringe Talk: Milo Edwards: How Revolting! Sorry to Offend

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

“I’ve always kind of eschewed marketing as inimical to the endeavour of being in the arts and especially to being funny BUT we live in a brave new world and market ourselves we must.”

WHO: Milo Edwards

WHAT: “Milo is sick of it all. Disgusted with the state of things. No, thank you. Everything is getting worse. In 2023 he got a temporary tattoo on his arse. Award-winning comedian Milo Edwards returns to the fringe with a show about class, Britain, common decency and cum… and other revolting things that are best not talked about. ‘Edwards has quietly become one of the UK’s smartest, most vital stand-ups’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Near perfect’ ***** (TheWeeReview.com). ‘Milo Edwards’ comedy is a little like marmalade’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Best Show nominee Leicester Comedy Festival (2023 and 2024).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515) 

WHEN: 17:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, if anything I’ve been too many times at this point – the sixth-formers I saw perform a groundbreaking version of Hamlet set in the trenches of WW1 probably all have receding hairlines now.

But anyway I keep coming back, it’s a great time to really focus on my passion for late-night kebabs.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I think one of the biggest things I’ve taken on board since 2023 is how important marketing is (snore). I’ve always kind of eschewed marketing as inimical to the endeavour of being in the arts and especially to being funny BUT we live in a brave new world and market ourselves we must. So this year you can expect a much higher production value Marc Jacobs-esque: Milo Edwards Presents: Milo in association with Milo Edwards by Milo Edwards.

Tell us about your show.

This show ‘How Revolting! Sorry to Offend’ is a show about class in Britain and how we the British, including me (Milo Edwards as mentioned earlier) find it disgusting. The show focuses both on me (Milo Edwards) and the things that happen to me, but also on the general state of affairs in the UK and the much, correctly, maligned field of ‘politics’.

The show has yet to premiere due to not being finished, but hopefully we’ll take care of that before the Fringe – and then maybe Australia in 2024 if it’s any good. Directed as always by the excellent Delyth Jones and produced by Ingenious Fools.

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

Honestly there are too many to list but you must go and see (in no particular order):
Olga Koch, Pierre Novellie, Aidan Jones, Erika Ehler, Chris MacArthur Boyd, Huge Davies, Ollie Horn and so many others I have forgotten.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

Bedfringe 2024 Interview: Louise Atkinson: She’s Got The Look

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2024, EdFestivals 2024 by

cover

“I thought I was running incredibly late, was going to miss the start of my own show, sprinted to the venue knocking over a small child in the process only to realise I had read the time of my own show wrong and was an hour early.”

WHO: Louise Atkinson

WHAT: “With this new comedy show, the Amused Moose Best Debut Show winner revisits the unsolicited feedback she once received; ‘Louise Atkinson – sounds good, looks like a mess’; and discusses our incorrect assumptions about people. Includes a joke about a fire extinguisher.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 20 July 2023 @ 21:30 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

No, I had the pleasure of coming last year. I remember it mostly because I thought I was running incredibly late, was going to miss the start of my own show, sprinted to the venue knocking over a small child in the process only to realise I had read the time of my own show wrong and was an hour early.

Hopefully won’t be rugby tackling young children en route this year.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Many things. I rewatched the tv series Pride and Prejudice, that was nice. I discovered the art of placing peanut butter on a knife and the pressing a bit of ritz cracker either side to make a new type of Oreo. Oh, and I went to the Edinburgh fringe last year with my debut show, won an award, got nominated for 2 others and had some nice reviews. The biscuit creation was probably the best bit though, if we’re being honest.

Tell us about your show.

It’s based aroun a piece of unsolcited feedback I recieved which was from a judge in a comedy competition early in my career who told me that I ‘Sound Good, look a mess’. Yeah. So the show is exploring the absurdity of making assumptions about people based on their physical appearance when really we should be judging them based on their biscuit preferences. Also talk about my love for Masterchef and have a joke about an egg, so I’ve tried to cover everyone.

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

Well, you’ve got a great selection, so the people fo Bedford are very lucky, but some top people for me:

Phil Green. Top show. Top comedian. Top lad.

Chelsea Birkby. Lovely, smart, silly bit of comedy.

Sasha Ellen. The pun-derful show title already has you invested. And she’s hilarious.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

Bedfringe 2024 Interview: The Untold Fable of Fritz

Posted in Bedfringe 2024, EdFestivals 2024 by

cover

“I am also from Bedfordshire, so performing here means a lot to me.”

WHO: Paige Canavan-Smith

WHAT: “A Piece inspired by Philip Pullman’s short story, ‘Clockwork’.

White snow seeps down from the mountain tops of the Neuchstein region, freezing over the valleys and the hearts of all the people that live within it.

At the foot of the tallest peak, resides the inhabitants of Brutzenvien and their King. Through this everlasting stone-cold ice age, the King’s son soon falls ill and the King makes a pledge to do all in his power to save his heir. But how far will he go?

Unsettled Theatre showcases their 50-minute live performance of The Untold Fable of Fritz, using puppetry, live music and physical theatre.

The only way to describe this show is if Narnia, Monty Python and Tim Burton were a 45-minute play … with puppets.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 21 July 2023 @ 16:00 (45mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is our second time at Bedfringe!

We actually debuted this show in the studio space, since then we have toured across the country and are even heading to Prague Fringe in May 2024.

The team at Bedfringe are amazing and for our first show – having a sell out performance was insane!

I am also from Bedfordshire, so performing here means a lot to me and I can’t wait to bring Fritz back to Bedford but this time in the larger venue.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023a and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

We have been super busy.

Finalising the show, getting a new puppet and with local funding taking free puppetry workshops to young people and vulnerable adults across the South East.

We learnt so much from our time here before, it really did help us with the rest of our tour.

Tell us about your show.

Well… We are hugely inspired by Monty Python and Horrible Histories, we wanted to created a show that the whole family would enjoy – showcasing the magic of puppetry alongside a multitude of characters that you would only meet in the mystical world of Brutzenvien!

Come join us, for 50mins of laughter and maybe our fable might teach you something along the way.

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

Post Office Scandal – The Musical
Frankenstein: On a Budget
Siblings and Family Friends
The Family Magic Show

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

Bedfringe 2024 Interview: Confessions of a Teletubby

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2024, EdFestivals 2024 by

cover

“It’s always wonderful to be part of a bigger beast rather than going it alone!”

WHO: Nikky Smedley

WHAT: “Arguments and poo! Sex and swearing! Blood, sweat, tears and giant rabbits!

Life on the set of Teletubbies might not have been quite as you imagined… Fresh from sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe, Confessions of a Teletubby lifts the lid on what went on behind the scenes of one of the most globally successful TV shows ever.

Nikky Smedley played LaaLaa (the yellow one) in the original series of Teletubbies for six years – that’s a lot of custard for a grown woman to get excited about.

Come and hear how she got the job by dressing as a bistro table; what it was really like inside one of those (surprisingly large) Tubby suits; how the NooNoo really worked and why children loved the show so much.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 25 July 2023 @ 20:00 (70mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This IS my first time at Bedfringe. Firstly I love the name – very clever play on words. It’s a funky-looking festival with a great line-up. I’m super excited to be part of it. As a solo performer, it’s always wonderful to be part of a bigger beast rather than going it alone!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I premiered the show at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe – three shows only, just to test it out and we sold out two of those. I’ve been touring, tweaking, honing and perfecting the content ever since and think it’s a better product now than what I started out with. Nothing like touring to help you learn how to make a show the best it can be.

Tell us about your show.

‘Confessions of a Teletubby’ pretty much does what it says on the tin. I spent six years of my life performing on Teletubbies, getting excited about custard and chasing a giant vacuum cleaner whose operator drove a better car than me! My show tells the story of how I got that job, and what it was really like to be part of such an amazing TV phenomenon.

Modern life can be pretty terrifying and gloomy, so I wanted to make a show that took people back to happier, safer, more innocent times and reminded them of the silly fun and joy that can be found in simple delights (like custard).

The show skirts a knife-edge between sharing all sorts of backstage gossip and secrets, and keeping the magic alive. Which isn’t to say that it might be a bit of a shock to some, finding out that one of their favourite giant yellow puppets is a bit of a potty mouth!

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

Joey Page – Pr*ck
Great title and anything that has a Malcolm Hardy commendation is okay in my book.

Kemah Bob – Miss Fortunate
Because I love her and her original outlook.

Luke Rollason, Luke Rollason, Let Down Your Hair
Once again a fab title and excellent image – yes I am shallow and do judge books by their cover!

Tony Slattery – Resuscitated
Because he recently followed me on Twitter, unprompted, and I was chuffed. See – shallow.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!