Category Archives: EdFestivals

EdFringe Talk: Monski Mouse’s Baby Cabaret & Baby Disco Dance Hall

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Learned and absorbed through the sponge of life.”

WHO: Monski Mouse

WHAT: “Monski Mouse’s Baby Cabaret: Join Monski Mouse and her super talented friends, for a live musical sing-a-long cabaret of nursery classics, song, puppetry and bonkers fun for 0-5s and their parents. All the big topics covered: elephants, fish, wiggly worms, transport and the existential ways of the toddler. ‘Moments of utter beauty’ ***** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ‘A delightful way to spend an hour’ **** (Edinburgh Families Magazine). ‘We love baby cabaret’ (Bubbles the Mermaid, CBeebies). ‘At the #Fringe with a toddler? Recommend Monski Mouse Baby Cabaret’ (Al Murray, Twitter).”

and: “Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall: Why toddle when you can dance? Join DJ Monski Mouse and her dancers for this multi award-nominated, epic session of bopping, bonkers, beautiful fun. Expect high-energy smiling to retro beats and thumping nursery rhymes. Get your disco-dancing booties on! Best of Kids Award Sydney Fringe nominee, 2022. Best Family Entertainment nominee, Hoop Award Edinburgh. ***** ‘Best. Time. Ever’ (Edinburgh Families Magazine). ***** ‘If you have a kid under five, get them to this show. Now’ (KidsinAdelaide.com.au).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 10:40 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

My first Edinburgh was back in 2005, when I came to town as a DJ, in my single, no children, footloose and fancy free days, I played sets at the end of La Clique in the Famous Spiegeltent and after The Bongo Club Variety Cabaret. Oh my, what a time I had, met the most incredible people, had a wonderful festival romance, dawn climbs up Arthurs Seat and ALL THE FUN! I was hooked. I next made it back in 2008, coming straight from Clown Summer School at the Ecole Phillipe Gaulier in Paris. I played more DJ sets and I worked somewhat gruelling shifts of FOH for the Gilded Balloon. Meeting again more wonderful people. When I made my Baby Disco Dance Hall show in 2012, and sold out my debut season at Adelaide Fringe, I knew I had to bring the show to Edinburgh.. its now been here seven times and this year will be it’s eighth! And along for the ride is my newer show, Baby Cabaret slowing finding its own audience and bringing the joy of song to young audiences.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The big things I learned is that I love what I do, and I didn’t need a pivot, and so, I am going for it even more in the realm of mouse-dom. And, this will sound silly, but that I love a walk to my local park. Learned and absorbed through the sponge of life.

Tell us about your show.

As I mentioned I am bringing my two music based, comedy, theatre shows created for early years audiences AND their parents/carers, namely, Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall and Monski Mouse’s Baby Cabaret. Both shows are written and hosted by me, Monski Mouse, and I have some super talented cast that join me, in the Disco I have two dancers, and in the Cabaret its a small ensemble including the brilliant vocalist and comedian, Michelle Brasier, wonderful actor and musician, Tim Lancaster on Guitar and vocals and amazing clown comedian, Jemomai Detto on puppets and vocals.

After Edinburgh I take the Disco on the road to Sydney Fringe and then make my China debut at a new Children’s Festival in Shanghai.

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

Oh my gosh, so many things, from about three years up, I can recommend Adventure Bubble Show and Milkshake, adorable funny and magical, for older kids I can recommend A_Z of Awesome Science, and you can’t go wrong with The Listies. For grown ups, I say get along to Reform by our Michelle Brasier and Mush by our Jeromaia Detto, and also fight for a ticket to, Party Ghost (new, funny, macabre circus), Fools Paradise by Britt Plummer (a beautifully told clowns tale of love gone wrong), Grief Lightening (hilarious account of what really happened to Sandy and Danny in Grease), and Maureen Harbinger of Death (top class new writing and acting), really I could go on and on.. I might need to do a blog post!

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EdFringe Talk: Bennett Arron: Loser

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“There is no point in doing something unless you are 100% happy with it.”

WHO: Bennett Arron

WHAT: “What’s it like to be a winner? Bennett Arron wouldn’t know. He’s been a presenter on TV and Radio, written sitcoms, starred in the BBC Radio 4 series Alone and even been shortlisted for a BAFTA, but life still laughs at him. Queue early to enjoy disappointment. ‘Genuinely original’ (Times), ‘a Welsh Seinfeld’ (Guardian).”

WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse – Annexe (Venue 276) 

WHEN: 16:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 5th solo show but my 7th time at the Festival. The first time was when I was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards. I was runner-up with Peter Kay (I didn’t win, which goes towards the title of my show). The festival has been very good for me in the past and has resulted in three radio series; Bennett Arron is JEWELSH, Bennett Arron Worries About and the sitcom ALONE. It also led to me Writing, Presenting and Directing the Channel 4 documentary HOW TO STEAL AN IDENTITY for which I was BAFTA shortlisted.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I was going to perform a show at the festival last year. I had the venue and accommodation sorted. However, half way thought writing the show I realised it wasn’t good enough. There was no real theme and it just wasn’t as funny as I wanted it to be. So I cancelled it. There is no point in doing something unless you are 100% happy with it.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show and, as am producing it myself. I have had 4 previews which, I’m delighted to say, have all gone really well. The premise is….. am I a Loser?

To answer the question, I look back on my life, from being born into the only Jewish family in Port Talbot, South Wales (where Anthony Hopkins used to light the fire for his grandparents), working as a grave digger for a day, being kicked out of drama school (twice), being the first major victim of identity theft in the UK which resulted in my becoming penniless and homeless, being arrested in a dawn raid by Scotland Yard, to celebrating, this year, 25 years as a professional comedian. By the end I/the audience will decide if I am a winner or a loser.

I am hoping to tour it after the festival. But I don’t want to produce that myself!

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

I have MANY friends performing shows this year. Some well known, some soon to be well known. It’s difficult to name some and not all and I know I will forget people, but ones I’ve seen and recommend are:

Ignacio Lopez – Welsh, Spanish and very funny.
Hal Cruttenden – A fantastic show for a TV regular.
Robin Ince – an Edinburgh regular who will be performing two great shows.

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EdFringe Talk: If You Were to Die Tomorrow

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I’ve learned to trust my gut.”

WHO: Amani Bates

WHAT: “Reconnected with each other at a funeral, Charlotte and Hope question what the meaning of life is. Are we predetermined to do everything we do or is there such a thing as free will? Centred around this debate the show uses meta and philosophical comedy to ask these big questions as the play slowly descends into existential chaos. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, how would you live today?”

WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Studio (Venue 152) 

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! Which is super exciting! I’ve been to a few drama festivals before, but by all accounts, Edinburgh is a different beast! What I’m most looking forward to is the non-stop action of it all. Whilst not involved with our own show, I fully intend on seeing as many performances as humanly possible. What boggles my mind is thinking about the sheer range of things going up. The diversity of people and productions going from old, new, established, emerging, queer, musicals, comedy, serious and silly should make for an amazing festival and a fantastic community of creatives to be around and apart of. So if my expectations, which are admittedly high, are met, I’m certain this will be the first of many trips.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2022 was generally a pretty positive year for me creatively. I had the first run of this show on in Manchester and a short film I wrote got made and nominated for a few awards. From those experiences I’ve learned to trust my gut. There’s been a few occasions where I’ve been faced with a dilemma in relation to my writing, if the tone is right, if the jokes are funny, if the more serious moments are justified or disruptive to pacing, that kind of thing. In those instances I’ve really tried to rely on my instincts and I think that has served me well. Something I do now, which might sound a bit strange to some, but I’ve started audibly asking questions to myself out loud and then immediately answering them. This seems to uncover the way I feel about things and takes my overthinking tendencies out of the equation.

Tell us about your show.

Of course! So, I wrote the show and am assistant directing it. We have a fantastic director, Hollie Buckhurst, involved, an invaluable designer and producer in Hebe Jones and Amber Daly and a phenomenally talented cast of actors that I’m so happy we have onboard. We all met through our University Drama society, where the show originally premiered.

The play itself if very silly. I took big inspiration from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her show ‘Fleabag’. When watching, I was really intrigued in the way she uses the technique of breaking the fourth wall both as a device for deepening characterisation but also as a comedic tool. This is something I wanted to experiment with. At the start of the show, it’s firmly established that one character has the ability to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience but by the end, all of the character’s become sentient and aware they’re being watched. We definitely play this up for laughs but it gives way to some interesting questions about free will, fate, purpose, and the inevitable prospect of death.

Despite these sometimes heavy questions, the show is hopefully very funny and just wildly chaotic, which should make for a good watch!

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

I have three other shows I want to recommend if you have the time, and if you don’t, you should make time because they are all going to be fantastic.

The first is the other show going up from our company which is called ‘SOFAR’ a queer piece of new writing. Based on a true story, Luna the crippled humpback whale is making her final migration and is being tracked by young marine biologist, Sadie as she gets over her first heartbreak.

Second is ‘Be Home Soon’ a heartwarming story about love and loss that you may well need a tissue box for!

Lastly, ‘A Working Title’, a multimedia piece about a struggling writer.

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EdFringe Talk: Messhead

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I wrote it because there were just not enough one woman millennial shows out there… RIGHT GUYS?”

WHO: Kirby Lunn

WHAT: “A strange and emotionally stunted young woman is on an all-consuming mission to be the most special person in every room. Trying to balance the glamorous life she leads in her mind with the one she’s actually living is driving her a little, well, mad. The growing hunger to impress her overbearing stage mum, new influencer BFF (buccal fat not included) and boring sister, is leaving little room to fantasize and it’s becoming a real problem. Just how much damage can you do living inside your head? A new dark comedy begging for your attention.”

WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Snug (Venue 152) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first Edinburgh Fringe and I’m so excited to be a part of it! Im Australian but I lived in the UK when I was younger for a few years and never made it to the fringe because young people make interesting choices.

I plan on not sleeping and just seeing the most creative people in the world create something original and exciting. I’m concerned I wont have time to show up for my own show because there is so much to see.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I am truly a different person from last year, my mum, my biggest champion, was diagnosed with Leukaemia last year. After a year of hospital stays, chemotherapy and tears my favourite bad bitch is in remission. This made me really understand how precious and terribly short life is. I don’t want to wait anymore to make big moves in my life, I want to make stuff now! Im trying to ensure my legacy will be making people laugh and leaving audiences better and happier than I found them.
I started writing this show during her treatment and getting to perform it during her remission is a once in a lifetime celebration.

Tell us about your show.

Its meeeeee, I wrote it because there were just not enough one woman millennial shows out there… RIGHT GUYS?

But seriously the show is primarily a play but when it all gets too much, her inner monologue spills out on the stage through original songs. Expect uncomfortable short bops like, ’Disappointing my mum’ and ‘Dont google your diagnosis’

I just was kind of sick of my round, welcoming happy face making people underestimate my comic abilities so I wrote my own dream messy character. Truly, if I have to play one more ingenue the joy inside will forever leave my body.

For those of you unsure of what that is, an ingenue is industry talk for a sweet cardboard cut out of a woman on stage that the leading man can sing at for two hours.

I’m excited to continue the shows little life in Australia after Edinburgh Fringe, we’ve got a few shows in Melbourne booked with some more cities announced soon…

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

Oh baby, first of all, thank you for seeing my show. That was so cool of you and you’re officially my favourite person.

There is so much to see! My recommendations are Reuben Kaye (obviously) Lino The Play, The attendants, Lost and Found and Showstopper. Go see something weird too, something you’d never have usually picked, I’ll probably see you there!

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EdFringe Talk: Donut Dollies

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“I think what makes Fringe so great is that everyone is very supportive of one another. There is so much ‘out of the box’ thinking and risk-taking with these shows. It’s very inspiring as an artist.”

WHO: Giselle Fischman

WHAT: “Donut Dollies is a story about the women who volunteered with the Red Cross in WWII. This play follows three of those women, Marnie the feisty girl from Jersey, Elnora the wide eyed small town girl from Oregon, and Louise the cosmopolitan General’s daughter from Washington D.C. They could not be more different, but throughout their time volunteering as Doughnut Dollies these women forge a bond that will last a lifetime, as they navigate love, loss and the power of kindness in the face of adversity and tragedy.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 11:25 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is actually my 3rd time participating in Edfringe. I first came to Edinburgh for the 2018 Fringe with an original play. We only had a small taste with two performances that year, but I was completely blown away by the energy and creativity at the festival. I think what makes Fringe so great is that everyone is very supportive of one another. There is so much ‘out of the box’ thinking and risk-taking with these shows. It’s very inspiring as an artist. When I put my producer hat on, I think of all the little things that go into bringing a show to life. It’s a huge learning curve for me, as I would love to just be able to act, but it’s given me a huge respect for producers and all of the thoughtful details that go into producing a show at any size.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

One of the things I’ve learned is that you can’t spend your time waiting for the opportunities you want. You have to take a step forward and create your own opportunities, and see where that leads. It can be incredible to see how the net just seems to appear right on time, if you’re willing to take the leap!

Tell us about your show.

It’s crazy to reflect and realize that this play has now been in development for over a year! I started to plant the seeds of this story with my castmate and co-writer, Francesca Reggio, in August of 2022. I said ‘I wanted to write this play and take it to Edinburgh Fringe’, and she was on board from there! The idea came to me over time, as I have always loved historical dramas, and took a special interest in the stories set around WWII. When I learned about the Red Cross efforts and the Donut Dollies, at first I thought it would actually make an amazing drama series on TV. The truth is there are so many stories and experiences from these women, and no one really knows about them! But I decided to develop the idea further as a play, and dig into the lives of our three protagonists on stage. Which brings us here now!

Our play explores the experience of the American Red Cross volunteers during WWII known as the “Donut Dollies”. Most of us know that during WWII, while many of the men were sent off to Europe with the Allied Forces, the women were left behind to support the war effort however they could from home. But one piece of the story that is rarely told is about the US women who trained with the American Red Cross to become “Clubmobile” crewmembers.

These women drove converted buses (Clubmobiles) throughout Great Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, visiting military camps along the way. Each clubmobile carried 3 women and were outfitted with ovens and kitchen equipment so they could make fresh donuts and coffee for the soldiers. Why donuts? Well, at that time, the donut was an American staple and was meant to be a taste of home. This earned them the endearing title of, “Donut Dollies.”

The Washington Star once wrote, “The Red Cross Girl was the sweetheart of WW2.” But the donuts weren’t their only responsibility. These women were trained thoroughly to be able to talk about sports, play cards, dance, and ultimately keep the soldiers’ morale up and spirits lifted. And while the dollies were popular among the troops, they were also highly respected and a welcomed light in the darkness of the front lines.

We have just completed a preview run in Los Angeles and are now premiering the show at EdFringe. It’s been an honor to share the dollies’ story with our audience, and we are excited to see what comes next. In the meantime, we hope this story inspires kindness and hope to all who hear it.

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

We have so much to recommend! The Fringe wouldn’t be as incredible as it is without the partnership and collaboration between all of the creatives. Several friends are performing in shows this year, which we will be supporting and would love to promote.

But first, I would be remiss not to mention In Loyal Company. I saw it in 2019 and it really inspired me to produce Donut Dollies! If you haven’t seen it yet, you must get a ticket and witness the brilliance of David William Bryan!

Next, you can see Second Chancers for a great laugh and spoof on reality dating shows (and it’s Free Fringe!). That will run Aug. 3-10 at the Laughing Horse. This show’s co-creator, Maria Hemming, is an old LAMDA classmate of one of our dollies, so we are thrilled to support her work!

Additionally, we’ll be seeing crackers at The Royal Scots Club, which explores how society struggles to recognize and manage mental illness. We have another classmate/friend in this one: Anna Davies, who is an incredibly talented young actress!

Another show we’re excited to see is from a fellow LA creative, Katherine Bourne Taylor. Her show, Grown Up Orphan Annie, is a dark comedy that revisits the classic character as an adult at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Coorie. It’s another Fringe premier and has already won Hollywood Fringe’s Pick of the Fringe award. We can’t wait to see it!

And last but not least, we have to share Pressure Cooker (a Keep It Fringe recipient) by the incredibly talented playwright and director, Jessie Millson, which runs Aug. 14-26 at Space 1 at the Space on the Mile.

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EdFringe Talk: Wild Things

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I always prefer to go up with a show, it makes you feel like part of the action.”

WHO: Emma Hinnells

WHAT: “Conservation and comedy collide in this hour-long improvised play about endangered species. Join us to explore the fate of a completely invented animal and a community’s journey to save it. Informed by conservation research, Wild Things is a ‘hilarious yet poignant’ (Oxford Scientist) show that tackles environmental themes and nature in a way that will have you laughing and learning. All made up entirely on the spot based on audience suggestions, this creature’s story has never been told before… because we need you to help us make the show. You create the animal, we’ll fend off extinction!”

WHERE: Greenside @ Riddles Court – Willow Studio (Venue 16) 

WHEN: 13:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

All the performers have been to Edinburgh before, but this is our first time bringing this particular show. We LOVE the Edinburgh Fringe, it’s the highlight of our year! What makes the Fringe so special is the feeling of constant buzz around you – there are shows all over the city at all times of the day and night. It’s an incredibly exciting creative space to be in. I always prefer to go up with a show, it makes you feel like part of the action.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Building relationships with other shows can transform your experience of the Fringe, making you feel like a part of a big community rather than going it alone. We’re trying to reach out to other shows more, particularly within our Greenside Venues, to build that sense of camaraderie. You’re always learning up at the Fringe so you’ll never have a ‘perfect’ run, but that’s all part of the experience.

Tell us about your show.

Wild Things is a longform improv show where the audience creates the animal and the performers try to fend off extinction! It is informed by conservation science and supported by the British Ecological Society. Wild Things is primarily an entertainment show, but we are doing additional impact evaluation to better understand how the show affects people’s understanding of biodiversity and nature conservation.

Our Director is Sofia Castelló y Tickell, a conservation scientist and science communicator. She devised the format of Wild Things whilst researching for her PhD at the University of Oxford as a way to combine theoretical models for understanding conservation efforts with the immediacy and humour provided by improvised comedy. Wild Things was performed in Oxford for a limited run in February 2020 and now we’re bringing it to the Fringe for the first time!

Sofia is supported by Assistant Director and Musician Matthew Kemp, a geologist and science communicator with Geologise Theatre.

I am Emma Hinnells, Producer for the show and for performance group Just Improv. I work as an independent Producer for live events, short films and audio production and hve been improvising for over five years.

We’re so excited to bring this show to the Fringe and then hopefully take it round the country!

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

Disoriented on the Murder Express by House of Improv – lots of our group trained with House of Improv so we know just how good the performers are. It’s an improvised murder mystery that is guaranteed to make you laugh (and it’s on the Free Fringe!)

Chrissie and the Skiddle Witch by Geologise Theatre – Matthew’s other show is also FANTASTIC! A climate change story with brilliant songs, incredible writing and outstanding performances, and its on the slot before us in the same room so you can double up.

The Oxford Imps – an icon of the Fringe, this group at slick, quick and witty. Some of our team also trained with them, so they must be good 😉

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EdFringe Talk: Modern Witches

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I am loathe to be so honest because I fear it punts me into a horrid stereotype of a haggard old theatre dame coveting youthful spirit.”

WHO: Katie Kopajtic

WHAT: “Lesbian actor Kate struggles to create a self-tape audition as Virginia Woolf, revealing that she is frozen in the midst of running away from her healthy relationship. The self-tape shifts from an actor’s grind to an incantation as Kate accidentally summons the ghost of Virginia Woolf, whose bold approach to life helps her to uncover the root of her fear. From the storefront of a mystic shop to the rabbit hole of #WitchTok, this comedic romp explores Woolf’s biography, queer relationship anxiety, and archetypes of the modern witch.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 19:35 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my second festival! I was here for a full run in 2017 with my solo show “Confessions of a Personal Trainer,” which gave me the first time high feeling of performing to a streak of full houses, and a first time low feeling of a terrible audience review. *That* guy felt like he was just “watching one of his mates complain about work.” Sorry, sir!

That first fringe experience reinstated my faith in theatre. Being in the U.S. can absolutely kill your soul as an artist, because it often feels like no one outside of theatre circles attends live theatre. At the fringe, seeing what I would describe (lovingly) as “regular people” show up at weird venues to see weird people do their weird art was literally life giving.

I was 28, I am 34 now. I am different. COVID changed us all, right? The rose colored glasses of “Maybe XYZ will happen and my career will go to the moon!” are off my face and across the room. I’m excited to be back because 1. my wife is running tech for me and that is sexy for us, and 2. I love my show. My palms are sweating with nervous excitement to showcase my American interpretation of Virginia Woolf for a U.K. audience.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Oh, sure! Nothing in life is guaranteed so you have to try! Really, I am loathe to be so honest because I fear it punts me into a horrid stereotype of a haggard old theatre dame coveting youthful spirit, but truly: it was the most freeing thing to let go of the entitled feeling that: since I am making this art, something must come out of it to further my career along. No. All your life as an artist, the best and most repeated wisdom is: trust the process. But I don’t think that happens right away. I feel like I’m finally starting to not only trust the process, but also cherish it.

Also, when life gets you down, grow some seeds in your house and plant them in some dirt. Nothing gives me more joy than to see a new squash sprout out from my garden.

Tell us about your show.

Modern Witches! I started writing this in 2019 after my older sister, a literal Doctor of Philosophy and Woolf scholar, told me I had a Woolfian profile and that I “should write a show about her.” Ever the obedient one, here I am. Modern Witches has taken on the roles of co-production, commissioned work and fringe show in Nashville, Baltimore, New York state and New York City. Ed Fringe will be its Global Premiere.

Our company Tres Brujas Productions – which is me and my wife – came together prior to the fringe in 2017. TBP is a lot of producing my work, but we also support and produce theatre from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

No after plans yet.

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

Hey so I am super biased, ok? Super biased. GO SEE QUEER THEATRE. Women kissing women. Enbys kissing enbys. t4t. Drag shows. Beards on beards. Shows about being trans. Some shows that have come across my radar around these matters are “Cowboys and Lesbians” “A Shark Ate My Penis,” “Burnt Lavender,” and “Vita and Virginia.”

Other things: I am very excited to catch the action in Bob’s Blundabus, and whatever Lucy Hopkins is doing this year. Lucy is an INSANELY TALENTED CLOWN. Summerhall is a dope venue and their programming just tends to be great, so I’ll be there as well. Finally, Janey Godley Janey Godley Janey Godley. Her show time unfortunately runs up against mine but I pray we’ll be able to find a way to squeeze the “Not Dead Yet” show on an off day.

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EdFringe Talk: Party Scene: Chemsex. Community. Crisis.

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“If all else fails, get a falafel wrap.”

WHO: Carl Harrison

WHAT: “Journey into the underbelly of queer culture and experience a sweaty pulsing dance theatre show exploring the complexities of desire, intimacy, isolation and addiction. With an international company of incredible performers, Party Scene celebrates the heady high of the session but poses tough questions around drug use, sex, consent and mental health in the queer community. A bold and wild ride, the show sparks conversation around identity, self-worth, isolation, homophobia, family and care.?”

WHERE: Summerhall – Main Hall (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 17:35 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time to Edinburgh. First time was with my mate Lucy’s family – Lucy and I wrote a song on the way up here from Manchester about a tiny penis – it was called ‘An Ode to a Chode’. I remember seeing Flight of the Conchords and we were spitting distance from Jimmy Carr. Second time was with a queer show called ‘I Heart Catherine Pistachio’ at Paines Plough about an abused teenage girl who’s obsessed with Saved by the Bell. I count that as one of the most thrilling performance experiences. So close to the audience and such an electric atmosphere in that tiny tent. Delighted to be graduating to Summerhall for my third visit.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I think it’s that the world around us can become quite die, cry, hate so I’m pushing even further into the ultimate affirmation of live, laugh love. And if all else fails, get a falafel wrap.

Solid Fringe advice too.

Tell us about your show.

Party Scene is a horny, writhing animal of a show about gays, drugs, sex, pleasure, loneliness and shame. It’s a thrilling, tense, and arousing piece of dance and theatre starring an international cast of four men in very little clothing.

It is written by Phillip McMahon and co-directed with Phillip Connaughton. THISISPOPBABY have been going for 15 years making work about pop culture, counter culture and queerness be it cabaret, plays, dance or film. Party Scene has had two lives so far – it was initially a short film we created in lockdown from which a live version was created for an Irish tour and now we’re bringing that work to Edinburgh. Lock up your sons.

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

The nepotist in me recommends –

Solene Weinachter – After All. An extraordinary performer who has to be seen to be believed. CAPTIVATING!

Figs in Wigs – Little Wimmin – a bonkers, queer retelling of this classic story. So funny and so brilliant. The figs are the Spice Girls of queer performance.

Hannah Maxwell – Nan, Me and Barbara Previ – An amazing wordsmith(stress?) telling a story of caring for her nan – La la Land meets mission impossible meets Hannah’s nan.

Plus there is a LOT of great Irish work on – check out the Wild Geeze, Eva O’Connor’s Chicken, Junk Ensemble’s Dances Like a Bomb and the Culture Ireland programme.

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EdFringe Talk: Saturn Return

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“It’s definitely not been easy bringing the show to Fringe, with lots of ups and downs and unforeseen circumstances on the way, but that only made the show better and myself stronger as an artist and producer.”

WHO: Natalya Samee

WHAT: “A Saturn Return is one’s astrological coming of age, propelling major life transformations. Think getting married or breaking up, finding your dream job or quitting. For Natalya? It was the demise of her seven-year relationship. Saturn forced her to learn life’s big lessons the hard way. She’s ready to talk – now that she can be funny about it. Join acclaimed performer Natalya Samee (Ars Nova, Brooklyn Comedy Collective) in her new comedy-turned-theatre one-woman show exploring love, loss and finding your life force among the cosmos.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beside (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 16:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not only is this my first Fringe, this is the first theater festival I have ever been to, let alone performed in! I’ve organized, produced, and attended my fair share of music festivals though, big and small, so learning the ropes from that has really helped inform the process for producing my own show.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Where to start? As both a person and artist, I’ve learned to let go and trust the process in moments when you put in your all and something doesn’t go as planned.

At the same time, as a producer, I’ve learned to take control in areas that I was less comfortable in before because of the skills and confidence I’ve gained making this show. For example, speaking up about how I want something to look and feel, proactive communication with collaborators, final say on an edit, and maximum transparency on everything from the get go to avoid letting anyone down.

Tell us about your show.

I am the writer, performer, and producer of my solo show, SATURN RETURN. I worked on this show for nine months in a comedic artist development program at an off-broadway theater in NYC called Ars Nova. Through Ars Nova, I met my Director, Arpita Mukherjee, who is highly accomplished in film, TV, and theater. I have learned an incredible amount from her. My show debuted two months ago to a sold out audience in New York, which felt incredible. Just proving to myself that I could do this was all I needed to know I could do this again and again in higher pressure situations with fewer resources. It’s definitely not been easy bringing the show to Fringe, with lots of ups and downs and unforeseen circumstances on the way, but that only made the show better and myself stronger as an artist and producer. After Fringe, we’re headed back to New York for another off-broadway performance – and who’s to say what’s next!

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

Go see WELCOME TO THE BIG SHOW at Summerhall, by Gara Lonning. He is a one of a kind, incredible, true artist (comedian, dancer, director, producer, writer) and one of my favorite collaborators. We have a podcast together (HE’S COPY – streaming everywhere) which can give you a taste of how dynamic and hilarious he is. Don’t miss it!

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EdFringe Talk: Martin Urbano: Apology Comeback Tour

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Was just waiting until I had thousands of dollars I was willing to never see again, and this year I’m finally doing it.”

WHO: Martin Urbano

WHAT: “Martin Urbano spent his long, lucky career talking and saying anything he wanted, until allegations surfaced, he stepped out of the spotlight, promising to take a long time to listen. Now he’s back! Martin tackles his allegations (and much more!) in this long-awaited apology comeback show. He shares his humorous musings on being cancelled, woke Twitter mobs and Uber. ‘Martin Urbano is sincerely subversive’ (New York Times). ‘His work combines edgy, almost-over-the-line humor with – get this – really good jokes’ (Vulture.com). ‘He often leans into a persona of a sex creep’ (Vice.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 21:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time at Fringe, but I’ve wanted to go for years! Was just waiting until I had thousands of dollars I was willing to never see again, and this year I’m finally doing it. I got my entire life’s savings together, put it into an envelope labelled “Stamptown Productions,” and handed it directly to the head of Stamptown; Zach Zucker

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I learned a lot of things that are much too private to share with you. So instead I’ll give you this answer: I learned how to make a woman have an orgasm, but can’t say the lesson has quite sunk in yet!

Tell us about your show.

My show, Apology Comeback Tour, highlights my abilities as a “truth-teller” comedian. I wrote the show by watching funny stand-up comedians and then writing down what they said verbatim. I’ve been touring this show in the United States of America, mostly at comedy clubs, where crowds have had mixed reactions. Depending how it does at the Fringe, I will either tour it more and film it, or I will quit stand-up comedy forever.

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

America needs a win, so please check out some funny Americans, like: Ike Ufomadu (let’s just say… he’s kind of weird!), Chloe Radcliffe and her show about cheating, Myq Kaplan’s show which is at the same exact time as mine, the show ( . ) ( . ), not American but I’ll give her a pass, Janine Harouni, and despite all of the horrible things you may have heard about their personal lives, check out the briTANick guys.

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