Category Archives: EdFestivals

All our coverage, from all Edinburgh’s festivals, past and present.

EdFringe Talk: Matt Hutchinson: Hostile

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I should emphasise it’s mostly nowhere near as serious as that sounds – and a lot of it has ended up being about having a baby (my daughter is 15 months old).”

WHO: Matt Hutchinson

WHAT: “Matt is an NHS doctor – what a hero! Also a fast-rising comedian, finalist in the Leicester Square New Comedian and Hackney Empire New Act competition. The son of Jamaican and English parents, in this highly anticipated debut Hutchinson asks: how hostile is the environment in Britain? Who is welcome here? What does it mean to ‘integrate’? Against all odds, he finds hilarious answers. As heard on BBC Radio 4, as seen on BBC Three and NextUp. ‘An assured presence’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Safe hands’ (Chortle.co.uk… and some patients).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Four (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 14:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have done split bill shows several times in the past – but this is my first time doing a full solo hour. It’s quite a different experience doing a show that’s just me – as there’s no one else to hide behind!

The Fringe is great, as it is the chance to stretch yourself and try things you wouldn’t get to do with your club set (i.e. be much more self-indulgent and pretentious). There’s the opportunity to make the whole thing tie together, and also incorporate visual and musical elements (if that’s your sort of thing).

Having said that, thinking back to when I was coming as an audience member, I’m not sure all of that effort gets noticed by everyone – I’m pretty sure I was going to comedy mainly to see something funny, rather than someone’s magnum opus.

I also love being somewhere where there’s a massive range of things to go and see right there on your doorstep for a month – although, I’m actually pretty bad at going to see shows while I’m up there.

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

I only came up for a few days in 2022, but put on a couple of one off shows, including “Comedians Wine Tasting” – it was a reminder that regardless of how good an idea/show you think you have, you still have to market it like crazy.

Over the longer term, I’d say I’ve learned to try not to get pulled too much into watching how everyone else’s fringe is going – as you’ll just make yourself feel bad. I’m not sure I have managed to stick to this however!

There’s then the sensible grow up advice to pace yourself – you’re in a city surrounded by loads of friends (or for the more sociopathic comedians friendly rivals) – and there is the temptation to go out every night and drink. You’ll quickly learn however, that trying to do that will mean your show and your wallet both suffer pretty quickly. Trying to whip up a matinee audience of arms folded, stone-faced retirees on a hangover is never fun.

Tell us about your show.

Hostile is an autobiographical show – that discusses my life, although against the backdrop of Windrush/other issues relating to Black life in Britain (my dad is originally from Jamaica). I should emphasise it’s mostly nowhere near as serious as that sounds – and a lot of it has ended up being about having a baby (my daughter is 15 months old). This is largely because that’s mostly what I could think of jokes about while sleep deprived and changing nappies.

This is a solo stand up show – so it’s just me performing, and I wrote it myself. I have worked with a director however, and this has been very useful in terms of editing and thinking of new directions to take sections in. I have also been working with Mark Watson’s production company Impatient – which has been great in terms of support and guidance.

Hopefully there will be the opportunity to take the show to some other UK festivals post Edinburgh – and I’ll almost certainly do a couple of shows in London, perhaps to film it.

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

Fellow doctor comedians Benji Waterstones & Ed Patrick – as well as being funny, they are also both clearly NHS heroes…

Also Darran Griffiths, Fatiha el Ghorri, Josh Weller, Alex Haddow – all very funny people doing their debut shows, so this is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor and see them before they’re famous.

Lastly Tarot, Darren Harriott, Ali Woods – returning acts who never fail to make me laugh, so in a crowded marketplace, you can be sure your money won’t be wasted if you take a chance on them.

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EdFringe Talk: Name of the Dame

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“It’s a different level to be bringing your own baby for a significant length of time. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m nervecited.”

WHO: Kate McCabe

WHAT: “Dames, detectives, stylish hats, “car chases”… this parody of the noir genre has got a gag rate that fires faster than a Tommy gun and is marginally less painful. If you liked Airplane, the oeuvre of Mel Brooks, dicey puns and sight gags, this show is probably for you. Written by author and actor Adam Perrott and comic and improviser, Kate McCabe, this gut-busting play is in its debut year. See it before it tours the UK.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic Nucleus – Just the Sub-Atomic Room (Venue 393) 

WHEN: 17:50 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This isn’t THE first, but it is A first. I’ve been coming to the festival since I moved to this country almost 18 years ago (I’m from the USA). I’d never experienced anything like it. It blew my mind. All this comedy, art, music, theatre, dance, circus, everything…all around me. Lots of it for cheap! Many of the shows were an hour or shorter. It is an absolute candy store.

I’ve ‘participated’ every year since then. I helped bring a sketch show up for a short run. I’ve appeared on compilation bills, guest-spots, fill-ins,…always accepting the hundreds of offers to get involved in small ways. I’ve done lots of that kind of work any jobbing comic can get at the Fest if they’re looking for it and available to jump in.

But it’s a different level to be bringing your own baby for a significant length of time. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m nervecited. I’m calculating the budget for the number of fresh fruit smoothies and clean dry socks I’ll need to make it through the month. The anxiety dreams are kicking in and I’m raring to go.

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

Since 2022, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to create your OWN thing to get the work that you want.

As a creative, I’ve also learned to stand by what I think is funny and take risks with it. I’ve got that ingrained comedian’s desire to please everyone in the room…but I think I’ve learned that it’s OK if maybe one or two of the jokes only land with a few people. Those few people, those are my people. (This will be YOU if you come to ‘Name of the Dame’ and get the reference to ‘gilt’.)

Finally, I’ve learned the difference between apes and monkeys. Monkeys have tails and apes don’t.

Tell us about your show.

The show is a send-up of film noir. It feels vainglorious to compare ourselves to artists who are LEGENDARY. But, I think if you like the type of humour in things like Airplane and Spaceballs, you’d probably dig our little festival-length diversion. It’s quick-fire jokes played straight in a genre backdrop.

This is the first collaboration of the writing team that Adam Perrott and I call ‘The Loose Cannons’. We’re just two ex-strangers who met doing screen background work, discovered we had a similar sense of humour, and went for McDonald’s breakfasts for two months straight to put together a script. My background is improv/stand-up/and comedy acting and Adam’s is acting/theatre/and publishing. We think we’ve written something that is great fun. We still laugh really hard at it, which I hope is a good sign. I ate a lot of hash browns along the way.

Sugar Punch, a theatre production company from Newcastle via Manchester got on board almost immediately. This was a massive confidence boost for us. It’s a real blessing to have professionals do lots of the heavy lifting around here and the two women who run it are brilliant. They themselves are very creative and funny and I dig it.

We are bringing it to Edinburgh as it is the UK’s best comedy and theatre marketplace. We’d be over the moon to be able to tour this play around the country afterwards and are looking to book dates in for late 2023 and into 2024. So, watch this space. Please.

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

Every year I revisit some faves and I also try to see stuff that wouldn’t normally be on my radar. A healthy mix of the reliable and the surprising.

Here’s a brief list of what I’m really looking forward to:

Tarot, one of my fave sketch groups will be there doing new stuff. You can always count on them to be disturbingly funny.

One I’d LOVE to see but who unfortunately clashes with my show times is Tom Lawrinson doing his solo show ‘Hubba Hubba’. I just think he’s got something special. He fully commits to very silly things and I like that. You should go seem him even though I can’t.

Salfunni will be back for a short run. They’re a great group of Uni of Salford students who put together a super compilation show.

Cheekykita is up there this year. Wonderfully weird clowning stuff.
Harriet Dyer is another one worth the money and the hour. She’s got funny bones and is a great storyteller.

Other shows that I’d love to plug because I’m also IN THEM:
Murder Inc (Improvised Comedy Murder Mystery)
ComedySportz (Short-form Whose Line Is it Anyway style stuff)
Dorks ‘N’ Orks (Dungeon’s and Dragon influenced panel show)
This Is Your Trial (Comedy roasts of the audience)

Truly, the city will be awash with brilliant and beautiful diversions for your entertainment. I hope whoever is reading this has the best time.

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EdFringe Talk: Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“It’s that hybrid style of funny, but also very moving that I think Edinburgh audiences love.”

WHO: Tom Moran

WHAT: “What’s the worst lie you’ve told? How far would you go to keep it a secret? Tom is a charismatic people-pleaser, an expert in empathy, but someone who struggles with the truth. Join him in this hilariously honest solo show as he seeks to exorcise ghosts, confess his deepest darkest secrets and somehow un-f*ck his future. As Tom begs the question, if I never lied again and was just myself, would any of my loved ones still love me? ‘The most searingly honest and moving show of the year’ ***** (TheArtsReview.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Below (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As an Irish writer-performer, Ediburgh Fringe was always the dream, so we’re incredibly buzzed to be at The Pleasance Courtyard. We debuted the show at Dublin Fringe in 2022, where we were lucky enough to win The Fishamble New Writing Award, so we were always really hopeful that Edinburgh Fringe would be the next step, so I can’t believe it’s finally happening. It’s such an iconic festival where so many of my heroes have performed, and our show was designed with this festival in mind. It’s that hybrid style of funny, but also very moving that I think Edinburgh audiences love.

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

Having debuted the show in 2022, the big lesson I’ve learnt is being honest is… kind of great. Okay, don’t get me wrong. It also hard, and scary, and embarrassing, especially when you’ve done things you’re not proud of. But it’s also really freeing to tell an audience your secrets and have them like you even more after. I think it’s that thing of accepting the fact that all of us have moments and secrets we’re ashamed of. But that’s what makes us human, those messy nuances, and that’s what makes all of us the same. Human beings only lie in the presence of shame, so if you want to stop lying, you have to tackle that shame. And that’s what I’m trying to improve at, really. To trust who I am is enough.

Tell us about your show.

The play is written and performed by Tom Moran, a writer-performer from Dublin, Ireland. It’s direction and dramaturgy is by Davey Kelleher, the most phenomenally smart and kind collaborator you could have, and is produced by Lisa Nally, a literal angel, who is very good at sending fast emails. We were incredibly luck to preview before the fringe in Dublin for a run at The Project Arts Centre, and Belfast for a run in The Lyric, too. So we’re well-primed for Edinburgh and hope to bring the show far and wide off the back of the Fringe. Our dream for the show would be a run in London. I’ve always loved The Soho, so I’ll stick that on the vision board. And beyond that, we’d love to go to the US and Australia and really, wherever will have us. On top of that, the play is being adapted for TV towards an 8X30 Comedy Drama series, so it’s really great to have people see the play and hopefully track it’s growth from there.

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

I’m going to lean heavily on the Irish stuff here because there’s so much amazing quality headed over this year. First off, Lie Low by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth at The Traverse, which is a fascinating character study. The incredible Fishamble have two gorgeous shows, Heaven and King, both equally brilliant pieces of new Irish writing. ThisIsPopBaby will be there with the phenomenal, Party Scene, which is messy and wild and completely unfiltered. Skelpie Limmer will be there with Scaredy Fat which I loved for all it’s campness and genre-blending fun and craic. And Alice Malseed’s The Half Moon is highly anticipated at Pleasance, which sounds like a proper, authentic Belfast story. That’s not to mention Growler, a riotous rom, Coffee Kid, for fans of George Clooney and costumes, and Best Man, for anyone who’s experienced a meltdown at a wedding or while doing public speaking. Some other acts I’m excited for are Mike Rice for all his hilarious and unfiltered ramblings, Shane Daniel Byrne, for amazing gags (and hopefully the splits), Aidan Greene for his brilliant brand of observational comedy, Vittorio Angelone for being the king of crowdwork, and Eva O’Connor, a fringe favourite with her brand new show, Chicken. And lastly, a tokenary American, Mike Birbiglia, my hero when it comes to solo shows.

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EdFringe Talk: Unforgettable Girl

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“There will be people who are going to ‘not get it’, give it a one-star review, or generally find it distasteful—you just have to move on without blaming anyone or losing your stride.”

WHO: Khai Ramli

WHAT: “Money can’t buy love, but £19.99/month can get you a mail-order bride directly from the wasteland of Asian stereotypes. Follow her journey as she strives to become unforgettable, but what lies beneath her shiny surface? And how is she forced to transform, destroy and rebuild herself in order to survive? An irreverent, no-holds-barred, bouffonesque myth about the violence our culture inflicts on bodies of colour. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund, Best Show (Offies, 2021) and Best Performer in a Play (The Stage Debut Awards, 2022). ‘A stand-out show’ ***** (Stage). ‘Beautiful’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I went up last year with Flabbergast Theatre’s Macbeth at Assembly Roxy and was completely blown away by the energy and the #SpiritoftheFringe! This is my first year going up with a show that I have conceived, written, produced and will be performing—I’m amazed to have even made it this far. If it wasn’t for Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund, The Keep It Fringe fund and our crowdfunder, we would not have made it this far. So we really feel like even getting here has been a huge accomplishment.

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

You’ve got to keep the show going for the people who need to hear it, who are going to love it and be inspired and maybe even changed by it. But also, there will be people who are going to ‘not get it’, give it a one-star review, or generally find it distasteful—you just have to move on without blaming anyone or losing your stride. That’s the reason why the fringe catalogue is half an inch thick, there’s something out there for everyone! I think this is an especially important lesson for us as we take ‘Unforgettable Girl’ to the Fringe—the piece seeks to confront difficult truths and it won’t do so without leaving a few bruised egos.

Tell us about your show.

‘Unforgettable Girl’ revolves around our main character: Vaccine is a mail order bride who breaks out of an Amazon prime box in the beginning of the show. Contrary to the promise of a woman for sale, Vaccine makes the audience laugh, squirm and wince, and reveals our shared complicity and desperation in the face of a tyrannous standard of beauty and femininity that renders women like Vaccine irredeemable. The piece engages with bouffon, a form sometimes called the ‘anti-clown’—historically they were outcasts of society who had no stake in preserving humanity’s dignity and often only had power when they were entertaining and performing. Louise Peacock once said that while we make fun of the clown, the bouffon makes fun of us (with diabolical humour).

‘Unforgettable Girl’ has ignited and excited audiences; from our 2-night run, we received critical acclaim including a 5-star review from The Stage, an OffFest Award and Best Performer in a Play by The Stage Debut Awards.

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

There are so many amazing shows to see! One of my favorites this season is Theatre Ad Infinitum’s ‘Beautiful Evil Things’—if you want to be swept away by the electrifying energy of a kick-ass performer (Deb Pugh) and also immersed in a feminist retelling of Greek myths, check it out!

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EdFringe Talk: The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria

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“We are excited to root out the brilliant stories that need to be told and are especially keen to see if there are other performances by Bulgarian makers in the festival programme.”

WHO: Claire Gilbert

WHAT: “Bulgaria just told Hitler to f*ck off, saved nearly 50,000 Jewish lives… and lost a King. ‘Whether a jazz fan, a history buff or just someone who loves gripping real-life stories, this is a must see.’ (Kyril, Prince of Preslav, Boris III’s Grandson). A camel. A fox. A difficult choice. Meet the men who could’ve done more, the women who did the most, and the reasons the world forgot them. Five-star award-winning ensemble blending history and live folk tunes.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – QueenDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 17:20 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a company this is our first time at The Edinburgh Festival. Our Exec Producer (& Co-Writer) Joseph Cullen has visited previously when at university, but this is the first time for Sasha Wilson (Artistic Director) and Out Of The Forest Theatre. We are really excited to be bringing an international story to the International Festival, and we have been fortunate to receive support from The Bulgarian Embassy in London, so we are hopeful that the show may have a future international life in 2024 and beyond. We have had a brilliant time at VAULT Festival in London, and this feels like the next big step on the Festival ladder. We are excited to root out the brilliant stories that need to be told and are especially keen to see if there are other performances by Bulgarian makers in the festival programme.

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

As a company we are three people in their early 30s and have so far been operating on a ‘let’s just make the shows and if we make money, we make money’ basis, which was fine, for a bit. As our priorities have shifted and our aims matured, we have really worked hard in the last year to be more focused in the way that we communicate with each other, weekly check-in meetings and regular updates etc. This has helped us as we all branch out individually as well, so we are being respectful about each other’s time within the company. In 2022 we tried to stage a tour of our 2021 ‘Louisa & Jo (& Me)’, but we just did not have the capacity between us to make it happen, and we made the decision to pull the tour and regroup when we were ready. This was definitely the right decision and encouraged us to focus instead on ‘The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria’, which is a story about the Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria’s Jewish Population during WW2 – a story that needs to be passed on!

Tell us about your show.

We are the stories we tell ourselves, and our societies reflect the stories that we pass on. Sasha’s Opapa (grandfather, who passed away in 2022 at the ripe old age of nearly 101!) passed on the story of this Heroic Rescue via the book ‘A Crown of Thorns’ by Stephen Groueff. In 2017 we were given this book, and in 2019 we opened it, and by 2020 we were staging ‘The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria’ at VAULT Festival, one week before the first Covid lockdown.

Co-written by Sasha Wilson & Joseph Cullen, with additional help by members of the company and Dramaturgy by Hannah Hauer-King. Produced by Claire Gilbert for Out Of The Forest Theatre, and with great thanks to our Production Assistant Lorra Videv and the whole company. We have also had the privilege of working with Dessi Stefanova (London Bulgarian Choir) who has passed on instrumental knowledge about Bulgarian choral singing.

We are actually performing the show on the 80th Anniversary of Boris III’s death in 1943, August 28th (our final show), and we have been very fortunate to be invited to stage a one-off performance at The Bulgarian Embassy in London the following week. We have a few dates confirmed for a tour next May/June – so keep your eyes peeled as we announce venues!

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

We have been so fortunate to see the work made by James Rowland over the last few years – his show ‘Piece Of Work’ at Summerhall will be brilliant, as will Adam Scott Rowley’s ‘You Are Going To Die’ (Summerhall).

Callum Patrick Hughes ‘Thirst’ (Pleasance) we have seen 4 times now, and will watch again. Callum’s mate David Shopland’s company Fake Escape is bringing ‘Raising Kane’ to Assembly. We are keen to see the comedy of Janine Harouni, Joe Wells, and our friend Gabi MacPherson AND our Production Assistant Lorra Videv have places in So You Think You’re Funny? Edinburgh Heats and we cannot wait to see them as well!

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EdFringe Talk: Super

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“I learned that you could buy prawn cocktail Quavers in select supermarkets, Rib ‘n Saucy Nik-Naks have not been discontinued as I had thought, and I prefer the Red Leicester variant of Mini Cheddars.”

WHO: Matthew Radway

WHAT: “On Hollywood Boulevard, a group of actors are posing as famous characters for photos with tourists. Right now it’s 100°, Batman has just punched Robin in the face and the whole thing is about to be on TMZ. Captain Jack Sparrow has fainted and Catwoman is screaming. It’s all gone a bit wrong. Super is a darkly comic drama about ambition, love and overwhelming failure told by two not-very-super heroes. Previous work: **** (ThreeWeeks). **** (EdFringeReview.com). As heard on BBC Radio 4.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 13:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not my first show but it’s my first time bringing a play. I love coming to Edfringe because it’s the ultimate creative hub – a great place to meet fellow artists and show my work to all those lovely industry types. That’s the boring answer. The real answer is that it’s the only place I can get a good scotch pie. Shoutout to Piemaker for their sterling work.

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

I wasn’t in Edinburgh last year so I’m going to expand this answer to my entire life. I learned that you could buy prawn cocktail Quavers in select supermarkets, Rib ‘n Saucy Nik-Naks have not been discontinued as I had thought, and I prefer the Red Leicester variant of Mini Cheddars. Were all my lessons snack related? Yes. Have I absorbed them? Repeatedly.

Tell us about your show.

It’s written and directed by me (Matthew Radway). I’ve been working on the show for over ten years so it’s about time I got round to actually putting it on stage! It’s a two-hander and casting it was remarkably easy because I happened to already know two fantastic actors. It’s produced with RBM Comedy who really know their Edinburgh onions so I’m excited for people to see it! Beyond Edinburgh, we’re hoping for a tour.

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

The most obvious show to see after ours is Picnic by Charlie Vero-Martin which is a bonkers character comedy bonanza with a dark twist. Charlie also happens to be in Super but I’d recommend her show anyway!

Also check out Hole by Holly Spillar which is a hilarious, moving insight into vaginismus with the help of songs and a loop pedal.

A show I’m yet to see but am very excited to is Pleasure Little Treasure – an autobiographical solo show about growing up in the first post-Soviet strip club in Estonia.

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EdFringe Talk: Stuntman

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“The challenge is trying to keep that approach of care for ourselves, our collaborators and our audiences, while also being a part of the noisiness and vibrance of the Fringe.”

WHO: Pete Lannon

WHAT: “An intensely physical, funny, and tender duet by two men wrestling with their relationship to violence – both onscreen and off. Fusing the Pow! Biff! and Wallop! of over-the-top stunt fights with personal stories of real encounters with violence from the performers’ lives, Stuntman explores the relationship between violence and masculinity and the impact this has on our perceptions of men. A show for anyone who has ever enjoyed a violent action movie (but felt a bit weird about it). ‘A thoroughly exhilarating 60 minutes that certainly pulls no punches’ ***** (TheRecs.co.uk). MadeInScotlandShowcase.com”

WHERE: Summerhall – TechCube 0 (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 17:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a company we’ve been a couple of times before, but this is our first time back since 2019. What makes it special for us is the opportunity to have our work seen by lots of people who wouldn’t normally get the chance, and to see performance from all over the world that we don’t get to see in Scotland the rest of the year. It’s a pretty unique chance to get inspired by seeing a massive range of work.

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

In general we’re thinking a lot about trying to work a bit slower, with more care and more sustainably. Sometimes that is at odds with how the Fringe works and feels. So the challenge is trying to keep that approach of care for ourselves, our collaborators and our audiences, while also being a part of the noisiness and vibrance of the Fringe.

Tell us about your show.

Stuntman is an intensely physical theatre show performed by two men who are trying to figure out their relationship to masculinity and violence. It’s silly and raucous and full of over-the-top stage combat and play fighting, mixed with real stories from the performers’ lives and some heartfelt and moving moments. It’s directed and created by Pete Lannon (one of SUPERFAN’s co-artistic directors) and devised with the cast (the incredible David Banks and Sadiq Ali). It was in development for about five years and last year we premiered and toured it around Scotland before this Fringe run, and it’s ready to take on the rest of the world after Edinburgh! SUPERFAN created it and are bringing it to the festival in collaboration with the brilliant Stories Untold Productions.

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

We are excited to see Laura Murphy’s A Spectacle of Herself and Katrine Turner’s An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World who are also at Summerhall. Plus Solène Weinachter’s After All and Concerned Others by Tortoise in a Nutshell which are part of the Made in Scotland programme along with Stuntman.

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EdFringe Talk: Stark Bollock Naked

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“It’s fine to have days of doing stuff that’s completely not Fringe related.”

WHO: Larisa Faber

WHAT: “Is the motherhood question bugging you too? An international smash hit about our reproductive shelflife and what (not) to do with those (ageing) eggs. Featuring stunning video mapping, comedy-infused storytelling and a live score of gynaecological instruments, stark bollock naked is a multimedia show with a real naked body and an honest conversation about reproduction, abortion and the biological clock. Game Ovar-ies. ‘Winningly hilarious and visually enthralling’ (FringeBiscuit.co.uk). ‘A satirical homage to eggs. Perfect comic timing’ (Luxembourg Times). VAULT Festival Pick of the Week (Lyn Gardner).”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy – Downstairs (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 15:10 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not my first time, no, but last time I was at the Fringe was 2013, I’m curious to see what / if it has changed. I first went in 2009, where I performed at Forest Fringe which was an incredible place to nurture weird experimental performance! Then went again in 2010, 2011, and 2013, each time with Little Bulb, the company I’m an Associate Artist of. EdFringe is special in the way it groups in one place over one month lots of exciting artists from the UK and abroad. It’s such a unique experience, bumping into friends I don’t see enough of the rest of the year, artists I admire, taking a chance with a show I have a hunch might be for me, going to see comedy big names… and the fact that the shows happen at all times of the day really contributes to making it feel like a month outside of ‘normal’ time.

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

My learnings from past Fringes are: to get as much sleep as possible, eat my greens, drink lots of water and it’s fine to have days of doing stuff that’s completely not Fringe related, it really helps switch off. I recommend a walk up Arthur’s Seat.

Tell us about your show.

The show I’m going to EdFringe with is called stark bollock naked, and I am a performer musician in it. I play gynaecological instruments, among other things. The show was written and created by Larisa Faber, who also performs in it. Larisa is a multi-talented plurilingual Romanian-Luxembourgish artist, and she also self-produces the show. She has gathered a really lovely international team.

Larisa approached me at the end of 2022 to ask if I was interested in replacing the brilliant Catherine Kontz who composed the music for the show, in the performer-musician role. Larisa had seen the work of my company She Goat in London and thought I would be a good fit for the world of the show, and she was right! I feel at home. I’ll be job-sharing the role with my She Goat other half, Shamira Turner, who’ll be performing in the 13-23 August dates. The piece had a few outings, in London and a few places in Luxembourg, but because of the fact that the performer-musician part will now have had three different people do it, it feels like each performance has its own unique flavour. It feels very alive in this regard.

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

Lucy and Friends, by Lucy McCormick. Lucy is a truly incredible artist and one of the best performers around. Her work is daring, moving, tender and brutal all at once. It takes you on a real journey as an audience, and makes you feel such tenderness and weirdness and connection. She’s also very funny.

Nan, Me and Barbara Pravi by Hannah Maxwell. Hannah is a brilliant performer, and this show looks like a very exciting exploring, on of family relationships, oh and there’s a bit of French in it too! Repping the French speakers at the Fringe!

Everything in the Horizon showcase: some of the most exciting, stimulating, inspiring and challenging work made in the UK today, I’ll be sure to catch all of these shows.
Victor Esses’ The Life and Death of All of Us, an exploration of family secrets and ties across countries and timelines, it sounds like a powerful journey into History with a big H and personal history.

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EdFringe Talk: Showgirls and Spies

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Be brave enough to ask questions, tear it all apart, trust your instincts and value yourself and your voice in the space.”

WHO: Becca Wilson

WHAT: “The thrilling true story of Florence Waren, an intrepid Jewish resistance fighter and dazzling showgirl leading a perilous double life in WW2. Working fearlessly for the French resistance by day, Florence takes to the stage alongside icons Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker, every night at the infamous Bal Tabarin. Written by Florence’s relative, the ‘breathtakingly skilful ensemble’ (BBC Scotland) jump cut between worlds bursting with bravery, family and feather boas. With their trademark high production values, the ‘superbly multi-talented’ (**** (Scotsman)) Young Pleasance present their modern take on the glitz, glamour and glare of wartime Paris.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – KingDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first came to the fringe when I was 17 to perform in a Young Pleasance show and have loved it ever since! You can watch so much great work and learn so much about what theatre can be.

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

I’ve seen a lot of great theatre over the past year especially in Wales, ‘Es & Flo’ and ‘Making of a Monster’ both at the WMC were inspiring. I have also been lucky enough to be part of some great shows as an actor too including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and several shows at the Sherman Theatre most recently ‘Imrie’ written by Nia Morais and directed by Gethin Evans and I’ve learnt tough rehearsals lead to great shows.

Be brave enough to ask questions, tear it all apart, trust your instincts and value yourself and your voice in the space. Focus on creating beautiful moments, focus on detail and keep the momentum going.

Tell us about your show.

Showgirls and Spies is written by Rebecca Wilson and produced by Ellie Simpson and the Young Pleasance Company. YP have been a company for over 25 years now and was first started by Katherine Norton-Smith and her brother Tim Norton. It is now run by them and Jo Billington and will be co-directed this year by Marc Benga and Rebecca Wilson.

The production this year will be premiering in Edinburgh! We don’t know where it will go afterwards, but that is one of the wonders of Edinburgh, you never know what’s just around the corner.

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

I’m personally really looking forward to seeing ex YP member comedian Frankie Thompson’s new show ‘Frankie Thompson and Live Ello: Body Show’ at the Pleasance Courtyard.

‘Salty Irina’ by Eve Leigh with Broccoli Arts at the Roundabout in Summerhall.

‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ is a classic favourite as a musical theatre geek, I love it!
And finally I’m looking forward to seeing comedian Leila Navabi’s new show at the Pleasance, it’s always exciting to see other Welsh creatives in Edinburgh.

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EdFringe Talk: Santi and Naz

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“We’ve learned a lot about our capacity as a company and as theatre makers; what we’re willing and feasibly able to do, and more importantly what we actually want to be doing!”

WHO: Guleraana Mir

WHAT: “Best friends Santi and Naz live in pre-partition India. One Sikh, one Muslim, they have little understanding of how religion will divide them. As the political situation in their country worsens and the threat of separation looms large on the horizon, they decide to take drastic action. Award-winning company The Thelmas explore queer love, identity and loyalty, set against the backdrop of a country soon to be changed forever. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund. Praise for Ladykiller (2018): ‘A smash hit’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Superb’ **** (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 13:30 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

The Thelmas made our debut at Edinburgh in 2018 with Ladykiller, which was a bit of a cult hit, so we’re excited to be returning this year! Since then, our Director, Madelaine Moore has returned with two more shows; Algorithms and Fatty Fat Fat in 2019. We’ve found that what’s great about the fringe is that there’s access to so many companies and artists that you’d never get to see in one place, particularly international companies. You really get to step out of your bubble as a punter, and as a producer you have a chance to share your work with audiences you may not otherwise have reached.

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

The lessons we’ve learned have been since 2020 because Santi & Naz is the first thing we’ve produced since then. We’ve learned a lot about our capacity as a company and as theatre makers; what we’re willing and feasibly able to do, and more importantly what we actually want to be doing! We’ve also learned how much an award or support scheme makes a difference to bringing a show to the fringe; Santi & Naz won the Charlie Hartill Fund this year, without which it just would not have been possible to attend, so a big shout out to Pleasance for that!

Tell us about your show.

Essentially, it’s a queer love letter to best friends everywhere. Set against the backdrop of the partition of India, Santi & Naz charts the story of these two besties, determined to stay together despite the, frankly horrific, decisions made by the men in power, the British, and their families in face of this huge historical event. It’s funny and bittersweet, especially made so as the friends are also navigating their sexuality and feelings for each other at the same time – it’s complicated. It will make you laugh, then cry, then want to go and google ‘partition of India and Pakistan’. It’s written by Guleraana Mir and afshan d’souza lodhi, based on an initial story conceived by Guleraana and director, Madelaine Moore. It’s produced by The Thelmas (run by Guleraana & Maddy), who’ve teamed up with Sarah Jordan Verghese as Associate Producer.

There was a shorter, less developed version of Santi & Naz that was at VAULT 2020 where it won and Origin Award for outstanding new work. Since then we’ve developed the script and production and it’s on a mini-preview tour; Mercury, Colchester; Old Fire Station, Oxford; Broadway, Catford and Macready Theatre, Ruby. We’re looking to tour it and do a full London run in 2024, so venues – hit us up!

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

We think you should see @AwkwardProds Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, because we are Lady Di stans (especially untrue ones), Blueprints by @LoloUnplugged from @Recreate_agency (they have two more too!). Our fellow Charlie Hartill winners @stroudandnotes’ Public – The Musical, @NovTheatre’s Pitch and Unforgettable Girl from @Created_Monster. For International work we’re excited to see what the brilliant @1OntroerendGoed are bringing. Comedy wise, we’re looking forward to tasting @AlisonSpittle’s (no doubt hilarious) Soup.

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