Category Archives: *Written Interviews

From time to time we encounter an artist or producer toiling away at something pretty special. Here’s what they have to say, in their own words, about their work.

EdFringe Talk: KAREN

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“Ultimately the most important thing you have to do is just show up and do your best – everything else can be worked out!”

WHO: Sarah Cameron-West

WHAT: “We open on Protagonist’s 30th birthday at the Alton Towers, where her life takes an unexpected turn. Mid-Calippo, she’s unceremoniously dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Joe. Things go from bad to worse when Joe then starts dating her office arch-nemesis: Karen. Protagonist must now navigate a powder keg of heartbreak and identity crisis which explodes in the ultimate office showdown. Seamlessly breaking the fourth wall, Protagonist will whisk you through a chaos-filled narrative that has been described as Fleabag meets The Office with Cameron-West as ‘the female Peep Show’ (TheNerdParty.com).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate – Delhi Belly (Venue 61) 

WHEN: 15:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is actually my fourth time at Fringe and it is my all-time favourite place to be in August. I have been once as a punter and three times as a performer and I just love it. This is KAREN’s second run at Edinburgh after it’s debut at Greenside last year and I am so excited to be bringing it to the Underbelly for their full 2024 season!

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

My biggest lesson is to be prepared. Get things organised early on and have regular check-ins with people to make sure you are all on the same page. You are going to feel stressed as August looms closer and closer so you want to do as much as you can to mitigate that worry by organising things far in advance and talking to other acts heading to the festival to make sure you haven’t missed anything is key! At the same time, it’s a balance because ultimately the most important thing you have to do is just show up and do your best – everything else can be worked out!

Tell us about your show.

So KAREN is a one-woman character comedy show that I have written, am acting in and have produced under my company Greenlit Productions. I have however been blessed to work with the wonderful director Evie Ayres-Townshend and be supported by a great technical team (Oliver McNally, Sarah Spencer, Roisin Jenner and Jules Chan) who have allowed me to take the show from strength to strength. KAREN started as a 10-minute monologue that won the Velvet Smoke monologue competition in 2021 and I was encouraged to turn it into a full one-woman show after a great reception at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington. It was there that I was paired with Evie and we instantly clicked. She completely understood the humour and shaped it into something very special. KAREN sat on the back burner for 2022 and in 2023 I submitted it very last minute to the Edinburgh Fringe and was lucky enough to get a slot at Riddles Court, Greenside and was named one of the Top 10 Shows to see at the Fringe 2023 by Edinburgh News which I was over the moon about. After a great run and kind reviews, we managed to book a full weeks run at The Other Palace in London and also The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham both of which were sell-out runs. We are now bringing the show to the Underbelly with the hope of a further London transfer and UK tour and we couldn’t be more excited!

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

There are so many amazing shows heading up this year and I would really recommend you check out my fellow Soho Theatre endorsed shows, they all have the Soho Theatre Labs sticker on their posters and flyers! Some include: ‘Yes, We’re Related’ – by Florence Lace-Evans, a dark comedy about grief. Not only did I give myself a stitch from laughing so much I was shocked how quickly it could make me jump to snotty crying. I was speechless at the end – absolutely do not miss this show!

‘Flicker’ – by Gabriella Foley is a modern-day sex farce exploring Pure OCD, created through consultation with OCD UK. It is all about getting queer love stories out there and sparking important conversations around OCD.

‘PALS’ by Mirren Wilson is a Scottish adventure-comedy play telling the story of four crude, chaotic yet completely normal gal pals as they embark on a camping trek in the west of Scotland and I am a sucker for female protagonists so can’t wait to see this.

‘Bangtail’ by Lil Wenker needs no introduction and is sure to be a hot ticket once the fringe kicks off. It is a comedy clown piece of an epic tale of a man in search of his manhood. So saddle up for an hour of unbridled cowboy clown chaos as our hero journeys from the Wild West to the American office. You’re in for a treat!

‘Squidge’ by Tiggy Bayley is another one-woman show on my hit list that tells the story of Daisy, a reluctant teaching assistant, who is assigned a young Irish traveller to help with his reading. Amid phone calls with her grieving mother, a sexy plumber and whale noises, she finds hope in an unlikely friendship. It is a story that deals with those left behind by our education system, and finding love in a world determined to hate.

‘A Stan Is Born’ by Alexis Sakellaris is a show you can’t miss. Already having had a transfer to Soho Theatre, get ready for a love letter to the divas and the gays who stan them! An original queer comedy musical about Alexis’s childhood as a stan. After moving to rural Germany from New York City at age 8, discovering pop divas online was his only salvation… Now he’s ready to sing about it! Get your tickets – you won’t regret it!

Equally other great ones I am looking forward to seeing again are ‘Apricot’ by Gigi Rice – a dark comedy set in our post Roe v Wade world which discusses gender roles, reproductive rights and moral ambiguity from the viewpoint of three teenagers, posing big questions for its audience.
Character Flaw by Philippa Dawson which is a beautiful explosion and hilarious exploration of ADHD and queer identity that was a rollercoaster from start to finish!

Tending by Eleanor Blackwood – a heartbreaking true story taken verbatim from interviews with nurses working in the NHS during COVID. It is a heartbreaking, hilarious and very human look at the experience of the nurses on the frontline of our health service and a must-see.

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: FREAK OUT!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“This eagerness to make our show as eco-friendly as possible spread to the rest of our show. Props are all recyclable or reused every show, and we try to waste as little as possible.”

WHO: Coin Toss Collective

WHAT: “This VAULT Festival Show of the Week nominee tells the story of UK communities losing their homes to coastal erosion. Performed by a company of seven, this high-energy theatrical cocktail blends clowning, physical theatre and live art to explore climate anxiety, what home means and what we owe to each other. FREAK OUT! was developed with support of choreographer Anthony Matsena (Sadler’s Wells Associate) and Papatango Prize-winning playwright Matt Grinter. ‘Celebrates the beauty of the coast and laments its loss with exceptionally ingenious flair’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘A poetically playful and creatively choreographed moment for reflection’ **** (FringeBiscuit.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – Jack Dome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 14:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Whilst individual members of the collective have been to the Fringe before, this is our first time as a collective and most members’ first time! We were drawn to it because of its unique opportunity to learn, perform and connect with so many different artists from all over the world & across many genres. We were thinking about going to the Fringe for a while; but we were waiting for the right moment! It’s not a secret that the Fringe is a big financial commitment, and we wanted to do it right. We are excited to exhibit our work whilst gaining inspiration from others. As a collective, we are all incredibly different in our preferred tastes and genres, and Fringe is also the perfect opportunity to share these with each other.

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

In 2023, ‘FREAK OUT!’ came to its first festival, VAULT Festival, which was the first time taking the show on the road, and we were so thrilled to get nominated for Show of the Week! As a collective, we learned so much about ourselves and our show. At this time we were still using a set that we had first imagined as a ‘home-based’ show. As we planned, prepared, and performed ‘FREAK OUT!’, we discovered that our set no longer fit us or the show. As such, we began to brainstorm how to create a set that was not only easy to travel with but was sustainable and durable, built and designed by our incredible set designer and Coin Toss member Claudia Kurucz, assisted by set designer Jessica Jones, our now beloved set was developed. This eagerness to make our show as eco-friendly as possible spread to the rest of our show. Props are all recyclable or reused every show, and we try to waste as little as possible.

VAULT 2023 was our chance to truly develop and elevate our script, movement, sound and lighting design. Incredibly, we managed to secure Arts Council funding! As a result, we were able to work with some fantastic artists and creatives, such as Papatango Prize-winning playwright Matt Grinter (‘Orca’) and choreographers Anthony Matsena (‘Shades of Blue’, Sadler’s Wells) and Deepraj Singh (Akademi’s ‘The Troth’), to take our show to the next level. Thus the current version of ‘FREAK OUT!’ was born.

Tell us about your show.

‘FREAK OUT!’ is a show written, directed, produced and performed by Coin Toss Collective. We have spent two years developing and performing the show, using each performance to interrogate further each aspect of ‘FREAK OUT!’. Coin Toss Collective came together as a part of Made in Bristol, a training year with Bristol Old Vic for emerging theatre-makers, during which you work with industry professionals to gain and develop various skills, culminating in creating and performing a new show. The programme has produced many great companies over the years, such as The Wardrobe Ensemble, who were Fringe First winners in 2017 with their brilliant show ‘Education, Education, Education’.

As our time in Made in Bristol ended, we discussed what we wanted from our collective and our work. This conversation highlighted how important it was to us that this collective was a non-hierarchical, collaborative group. This allows everyone to experience different positions within a theatre company, present and direct ideas, write and create movement sequences, and grow together. Our core values of collaboration, playfulness, curiosity and experimentation with physical and narrative theatre allowed us to create the unique theatre piece that is ‘FREAK OUT!’

‘FREAK OUT!’ highlights the reality of people affected by coastal erosion in the UK, particularly East Anglia. Coastal erosion is worsening due to climate change; over 35 homes have been lost to the waves in Happisburgh, Norfolk alone. Over 19% of the Scottish coastline is vulnerable to erosion as sea levels rise. Inspired by and featuring archival documentary footage, interviews, podcasts and other research, ‘FREAK OUT!’ shares the experiences of affected coastal communities using our voices, bodies and audience participation. ‘FREAK OUT!’ blends clowning, live art, projection and movement into a high-energy tragicomic theatrical cocktail. Join us for a night of fun and disaster with a side of cake, but it might also break your heart. ‘FREAK OUT!’ has been performed at four venues before Edinburgh, including Camden People’s Theatre and the Tobacco Factory, Bristol. During this time, it has had a great reception from audiences and critics alike. We are thrilled to be one of the recipients of this year’s Keep It Fringe fund, and we have also been nominated for the Sit-Up awards.

After the Fringe, we will be looking to tour the show on a bigger scale than we have done before — nationally and (potentially!) internationally. We all feel that this story needs to be seen by many; ‘FREAK OUT!’ draws attention to the fact that climate change is already impacting the UK, even though this hardly ever makes headline news. And its global relevance goes without saying!

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

As a company, we would first like to shout out the other great climate change shows at the Fringe this year! Some fab examples are ‘Things We Will Miss’ by Square Product Theatre, ‘Vigil’ by Mechanimal, and ‘Look What We’ve Done’ by Helio Collective.

Here are some of our individual recs:

ROSIE: It would be an understatement to say I’m excited to see ‘Bark Bark’ by Buzzcut – their use of live feed and miniature models is incredibly unique and cool. ‘Scaffolding’ by Documental Theatre, a female-led show with a team also from the South West, sounds really intriguing too. I’m also super looking forward to seeing Freddie Hayes bring her hilarious and quirky brand of character comedy back to the Fringe with her new character, ‘The Magic Lady’ (her previous show, ‘Potatohead’ is one of my all-time faves!).

WERONIKA: Anything on the pop-up Polish Laboratory Theatre/Grotowski scene this year, but I am most excited for ‘Sheol’. I love a Polish theatrical séance! Other highlights include Bert & Nasi’s collaboration with Forced Entertainment & subject.object’s ‘Instructions’. There are lots of awesome-sounding dance shows I am excited to see – ‘Book of Dew’, ‘The Watching Machine’ and bambule.babys’ ‘my home is not your home’, stood out.

CLAUDIA: ‘FAMEHUNGRY’ by Louise Orwin. I’m excited to see Louise’s take on the much-discussed topic of the dangers of social media through performance art! And ‘Sawdust Symphony’ – because, of course, we all need to see a show where carpentry and circus collide!? I also love a bit of DIY me.

BEN: At the moment I’m writing a script of a show about the story of Heracles reimagined for the Windrush generation, so at the Fringe I’d like to catch some cool adaptations as well as shows which focus on cultural and racial identity, and Black stories. Some shows I’m keen to check out are ‘Hamstrung’ by George Rennie, a reimagining of Hamlet told by the character of Yorick, and ‘DRUM’ by Our Day.

SOL: Mike Kunze’s Infinity Mirror – I met Mike on a clowning course and he is a very funny multimedia clown! I am a big fan of the risks he takes in this show. ‘Bill’s 44th’ is a beautiful puppet show with no dialogue. Involves the audience in a charming and subtle manner!

ALYSSA: I will be making the time to see ‘The Academy Trust: Under New Management!’ by Mode Theatre. It’s a show written and performed by teachers about the difficulties of their job. I’m so passionate about teachers being overworked and underappreciated, and I will love to see what they have to say! Another show I’m excited to see is ‘Black is the Color of my Voice’ by Apphia Campbell (Seabright Live). I think powerful work with a message is my favourite kind and I’m eager to support and learn from other artists of colour at the Fringe!

SOPHIA: 1) Sh!t Theatre’s ‘Or What’s Left Of Us’ – I caught one of their shows, ‘DRINK RUM WITH EXPATS’ a couple years ago in Bristol and had such a good time; I’m a big fan of folk music, and these two would break out into some beautiful melodies. 2) ‘Lessons on Revolution’ by Undone Theatre and Carmen Collective – I’m interested in seeing how they’ll present what radical change means today. I’m also intrigued to see how globally their archival research into protest in 1968 will span. 3) ‘Really Good Exposure’ by Megan Prescott – I was a big fan of Skins growing up and honestly, I just want to satisfy a curiosity of what this person I’ve been following on Instagram since I was twelve is up to now!

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: My Little Phobia

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“In my imagination EdFringe is like theatre camp on steroids, with all its energy and excitement and need for extra helpings of deodorant.”

WHO: Emily Markoe

WHAT: “Emily Markoe wrote a totally normal comedy show. Her show is not about vomit – how could it be? She has emetophobia, the extreme and debilitating fear of throwing up. So she would never write a show about vomit… Watch Emily perform her show without any interruptions from anxiety-producing characters, obsessive-compulsive rituals or recovered memories getting in the way. And there definitely won’t be a visit from her childhood therapist, Dr. My Little Pony. Emily stopped seeing her years ago! Everything’s fine here. Please note: vomiting at this show is strictly forbidden.”

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

WHEN: 17:10 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! This is my first time at the Edinburgh Fringe, both as a performer and audience member (or should I say “punter”? Is that right?). In my imagination it’s like theatre camp on steroids, with all its energy and excitement and need for extra helpings of deodorant. Plus at this one, the audience isn’t just your mom and a few bored counselors. The sheer size of Edinburgh Fringe is mind-blowing – and despite my best efforts, I’m never surrounded by theatre and comedy all day every day at home. I can’t wait.

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

I always knew there was beauty in specificity, but writing a show about something I’d kept so close to my chest (phobia/OCD) was a real eye-opener. I had no idea it would resonate with so many people, regardless of their personal relationship to mental health. That was a huge lesson for me: get deeply, vulnerably specific. Tell people about how you spell the word “crow” on street signs to avoid vomiting. Tell them about the complicated decision matrix you keep in your brain every time you try a new restaurant. Tell them about how if you step on a crack you have to step on a second one because two negatives make a positive. Even if they don’t “get it”, they’ll get it.

Tell us about your show.

My Little Phobia is a dark comedy about emetophobia, the extreme fear of vomit*. Yes, you read that right. I wrote, produced, and perform the show, which has a mix of characters, storytelling, and existential dread. And no vomit, obviously.

The show was directed by Julie Pearson, a supremely talented director and writer known for The Girls on the Bus (HBO) and The Boxcar Adults (Roku). We met through See What Sticks, a 6-week workshop in Los Angeles geared toward new works of all kinds. Julie was working on a pilot and I was planting the seeds for this show. In June 2024, My Little Phobia premiered in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, where we ended up selling out the full-run (plus added performances) and received a nomination for the Adelaide Exchange Award.

*Where’s the best place to mention that My Little Phobia doesn’t have vomit? What I’m trying to say is that the show IS about vomit but vomiting is strictly forbidden. Sorry, what I’m trying to say is: you’re not allowed to vomit before, during, or anytime after my show.

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

Where do I start?! I’m so excited to see so many shows like Kenny Gray’s wild character ride Kenny Goes to Sleep (in the slot right before mine at Greenside’s Clover Studio), clowns like Veronica Osorio’s Medicine Woman and Natasha Mercado’s #1 Son. Kelly Reilly’s The Dolphin I Loved, Young & Wise Theatre’s The Kids Might Die, Sarah Alice Shull’s Something to Believe In, Devon Drew’s Pop Star, multilinguart’s Baby Rock, Ben Kassoy’s The Funny Thing About a Panic Attack. Is that too many? Tell me when to stop…

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: Defective Inspector: An American Odyssey

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by.”

WHO: Harrison Cole

WHAT: “Prepare for a hilarious hour of (unconvincing) romance, (sloppy) action and (tenuous) espionage! Don’t miss the debut whirlwind comedy from The Defectors. Richard P Cooper, an eccentric ex-detective, presents his (heavily embellished) exploits on the stage (with mixed results)! He guides the audience through his journey to the USA, grappling with assassination plots and three-legged dogs, while three hapless drama students embody every other questionable character. This laugh-a-minute romp is sure to elate and baffle in equal measure! ‘An utterly endearing romp through the clichés of crime drama… irreverent and irresistible’ **** (LostInTheatreland.co.uk).”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 117) 

WHEN: VARIES (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a company, yes! However, we are a mix of both sparkly-eyed newcomers to the fringe and grizzled veterans with many a highland fling under our belt. Bringing a show to Edinburgh is one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences you will ever have as an artist; from making it, to publicising it, to teching it, to actually performing it. To be at every step of the creative process with a small dedicated team is unlike any other feeling, so once you’re there it almost feels like a bonus when strangers take a chance on your show and (hopefully) love it! (Oh, and we’re also doing all of that for two shows…)

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

The biggest thing we’ve learned (for better or for worse), is if you keep developing a show for long enough – some of the jokes or plot threads you started with will become strangely relevant again… so stick to your guns!

Tell us about your show.

The show centres around egocentric ex-Detective, Richard P. Cooper, who is attempting to stage a production of his own semi-autobiographical exploits in his brand new play ‘An American Odyssey’, with the help of three-hapless drama students he has enlisted to play every other questionable character. Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by. We’ve been developing the show since 2022 as The Defectors, who are Daniel Hemsley (performer and producer) and James Darby (producer and sound designer), and after some great responses from outings at various London venues, and the Clapham and Camden Fringes, we finally feel it is Edinburgh ready. We will then be taking it (and the whole double bill) back down South for the Lambeth Fringe on the 30th September at the Golden Goose Theatre!

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

Some other amazing shows you should check out are:

Lil Wenker: BANGTAIL is a rootin’ tootin’ hour of interactive clowning from the hilarious Lil, who is the Baddest Man in Texas…

Snake Boy Takes Manhattan is a brilliant piece of surreal character comedy with inventive sketches and interaction from the amazing Alex Richmond.

Pineapple Princess is a genius love story between a woman and a pineapple, we’ve seen a chunk and it was stupidly funny.

Mattia Sedda: Choin, don’t miss the international actor’s showcase of his great (and very funny) talents.

Will BF: Moon Team IIIV, a fantastic sketch comedian who is exploring the great era the DVD.

Good Boys Good Time, some great character comedy from two very good boys.

The Normal Formal, a brilliant night chock-full of the best alternative comedy acts (with a surreal twist).

Freddie Hayes: The Magic Lady is a spellbinding hour of wonky magic and hilarious character comedy.

And of course, we’d be silly not to suggest our follow-up show, ‘Defective Inspector: A Stitch in Time’, which we will be performing in the same venue and timings but on alternate nights to ‘An American Odyssey’!

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: The Comedy Games with Coach Mon

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“The power of community has also been highlighted to me over the last year. The kindness and generosity people offer each other, particularly in the arts, is simply wonderful.”

WHO: Monique Warren

WHAT: “After a gold medal run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Coach Mon is pumped for a spectacular sports extravaganza, but her athletes have disappeared! How can The Comedy Games leap ahead with no athletes?! Can you help find them? Skate on over to this Olympic-inspired kid’s clown show filled with music and sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow-motion running race. Your little ones will move, groove and dream, plus you’ll walk away with your very own custom-made medal! Get ready for some serious silliness at this frivolously fun family show.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Studio (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 11:00 (45 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

August holds a lot of firsts for me. First time to Edinburgh, my first EdFringe, the first time working on this show with my wonderful producer Enya Cai and the first time my kids show ‘The Comedy Game with Coach Mon’ will reach international audiences.

As a performer I’ve been part of festivals such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Fringe Festival and New Zealand Fringe Festival. What I love about festivals as both a performer and a punter is the variety of works and perspectives you can see from other artists. There’s such joy and inspiration in seeing other artists do their thing and hearing their stories.

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

Last year was the premier season of ‘The Comedy Games with Coach Mon’ (an Olympic-inspired kids clown show). After a gold medal run I decided to pack up my life and head to France to study at Ecole Philippe Gaulier to build my clown skills. My understanding of clown has definitely solidified but there’s more learning and absorbing to come for sure!

The power of community has also been highlighted to me over the last year. The kindness and generosity people offer each other, particularly in the arts, is simply wonderful. I am grateful for my community back in Australia and my Gaulier ‘family’ for helping the Coach Mon team get our show to Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

It’s Coach Mon’s biggest dream to coach at a spectacular sports extravaganza. BUT her athletes have disappeared! She almost gives up on the games until she realises the audience members can be her athletes. Throughout the show the audience is invited to participate in this Olympic-inspired kids clown show filled with music and sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow motion running race. Athletes will make their very own custom made medals and partake in a medal ceremony, celebrating their success with colourful scarves, great music and fun dance moves. It’s an interactive sports-themed musical clown show perfect for the whole family and ideal for kids aged 4+.

The Coach Mon team consists of 3 core members hailing from Melbourne, Australia. The writer and performer of the show is me (Monique Warren), Laura Aldous is the director & Enya Cai is the producer. On and off for the past 11 years we’ve collaborated in performing arts education and theatre making spaces, primarily the Australian School of Performing Arts and the Australian Girls’ Choir. As well as being a creative trio, the three of us have been great friends for years, it’s such a joy working with your mates.

‘The Comedy Games with Coach Mon’ premiered at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2023. After our season finishes at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 we’re taking the show on tour throughout Australia, visiting festivals such as Perth Fringe and Adelaide Fringe. We can’t wait!

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

Oh so many fabulous shows! Here are some of the shows I can’t wait to see:

Adults…

Mel & Sam: High Pony – These two QUEENS are hilarious! Their musical comedy is on point.

Cyrano – A gender-flipped retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, I saw a season of this in 2022 and it was HOT! Virginia Gay is a powerhouse.

The Duncan Brothers: Blood Sword – The Duncan Brothers are quirky & silly and their work is hilariously crazy.

Burnout Paradise – Such a fun show to be an audience member of, you are part of the action as 4 actors complete outrageous tasks on treadmills. My director Laura is in this show, she’s one of the superstars in the Ponycam crew.

Mr Cardboard – I’ve seen snippets of this show and Mr Cardboard is a devilishly delightful character. Can’t wait to see more.

Medicine Woman – after her award winning run at Hollywood Fringe I can’t wait to catch this glorious show.

Mel McGlensey is Motor Boat – Mel makes me laugh! I’ll be strapping in for this naughty, nautical show.

End of the World Cabaret – The Bonjour Group have created a wacky show filled with quirky characters. A joyful and playful show!!

Jessica Aszkenasy: BRA SHOW (WIP) – Jessica is a grounded and clever performer. From the bits and pieces I’ve seen of this WIP, it’s both relatable (to people with breasts) and hilarious.

Kids…

The Listies: ROFL – The Listies are funny and very cheeky! I’m ready for a good giggle when I see their show.

Monkeys Everywhere – I’ve seen Gary Starr do a show for adults and it was chaos (in the best way). Can’t wait to see what he has in store for kiddlets.

Best of Edinburgh Fringe for Kids – well if it’s the best then this show sounds like a winner!

Bubba-licious – a beautiful sensory show for babies that sparks joy and wonder.

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: I Mostly Blame Myself

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired.”

WHO: Nick Shanman

WHAT: “In 2018, Nick Shanman hired a bunch of his idiot friends to make a ridiculous YouTube pilot… Today, IMBM has over 500 million views worldwide and has found a home performing live monthly shows in NYC. Our shows are a series of dark, weird, hilarious sketches ranging from Disney parodies to historical musicals, to some slightly controversial topics you’ve always wanted to address. Every show is brand new, completely original, and absolutely absurd. Ready to laugh your ass off?”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Other Yin (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! It’s actually my first time in the UK. I know, I’m a loser American. I’ve been around Europe a bit but for some reason the timing just hadn’t worked out yet. Then after performing in NYC for 2 years… a friend tipped us off on how incredible the EdFringe was, and alas, here we are! I actually studied business before pursuing writing / acting so I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired. Kidding. We’re an emotional group. From the application process, to attending webinars, to speaking with friends of friends who have attended the festival, it seems like an absolutely magical experience. Not only to showcase talent, but to witness talent, to meet (and drink) with likeminded individuals, and to be part of once-in-a-lifetime artistic community. We can’t wait to be there!

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

Oh god. We’ve learned a lot through a series of terrible mistakes. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to stop approaching problems as stresses, but as challenges to overcome and conquer. You are ALWAYS going to have obstacles in your way, shifting your mindset to tackling them as opposed to dreading them is a game changer. A more specific thing I’ve learned is that you can make reallllyyyy dark jokes as long as they are smartly written and come from a sincere place. There’s nothing better than starting our Anne Frank musical sketch, hearing people yell “Oh no!” in the audience, then seeing them tearfully clap at the end. Comedy is about risk. And trust us, it takes a lot of clunkers to strike gold. Last thing I’ve learned is to stop drinking once you’re properly inebriated. This one I haven’t absorbed yet.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is called I Mostly Blame Myself. It’s a series of insane, absurd, hilarious comedic sketches and musicals. Imagine SNL, but on cocaine. I’m the head writer but a few members of our cast write as well! I produce the show alongside my associate producer Kaya Simmons whom I met at university in Boston. He used to pay me in whiskey to write short films for his reel. Needless to say, we got along pretty quickly.

IMBM actually started as a YouTube pilot I was hoping to get picked up for a streaming service, but once I released it, the pandemic happened. When the world opened back up again a lot of theatres in NYC were struggling to get acts fast, so I pitched the show as a live sketch show as opposed to a film. I lied and said my entire cast was in NYC (they were all in LA) so we had to find people fast. Kaya and I linked up again, and we formed a team of rag tag goofballs that all bring something different to the table.

This production premiered at our first touring show in Boston, Massachusetts, and now is going to Edinburgh! Afterwards we hope to hit Madrid in the new year, fingers crossed!

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

We love crazy and weird, and the first show that caught our eye was ’44 Sex Acts in One Week. ‘ Mostly because that sounds impossible. I mean… yeah no I definitely couldn’t do that. But it sounds unbelievably funny and absurd! This is what the festival is all about, seeing things that you have NEVER seen before.

Another one, and very very different, is ‘Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders.’ They had us at singing owls. We love some family-friendly content (since we can’t seem to write it ourselves) and we also adore musicals. The story follows an owl made of wood who just wants to fly with his friends. Are you crying yet? I know I am. I’m not that sensitive I swear.

LEAVE ME ALONE!

Lastly, Timothy Booth’s Manhole caught our attention right away, for obvious reasons. Not only has this American comedian placed in the top three of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, but he also speaks about his crevices with unmatched vigor. Watch the manhole, learn about the manhole, dive deep… into the manhole.

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: Sell Me: I Am from North Korea

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.”

WHO: Sora Baek

WHAT: “On her 15th birthday, Jisun, a North Korean girl, decides to sell herself to an old man to buy medication for her dying mother. But after risking her life by crossing into China, she learns that her under-developed body is not-sellable. Will she survive as she struggles in a merciless foreign land, where her very existence is illegal? Performed at the U.S. Capitol Center, this powerful and fast-paced solo piece is inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous female North Korean defectors. ‘Excellent… important’ (Henry Song, North Korean Human Rights Activist).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Below (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 12:35 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes this is my first time and I am super excited to travel to Edinburgh, work with the most caring staff ever, and meet open-minded theatre lovers all around the world! I grew up in a very small town in South Korea so this is a huge moment for me. I am just so ready to experience this most amazing festival and get inspired!

I am also bringing my kids so we will be running up the hills and jumping in the puddles in this beautiful city. My son’s into unicycles and I hope to find a unicycle act for him somewhere on the Royal Mile.

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

You can only be YOU! I remember crying a lot because I was not able to speak English without a thick accent no matter how hard I tried. I really thought my career was over unless I got rid of my accent. But here I am. I wrote a play in which it made sense for the character to have an accent.
Everything is figureoutable. Just like Ryan Holiday says “Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition”.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it and am producing it.

Inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous North Korean women defectors, “SELL ME: I am from North Korea” is a solo show that follows a North Korean girl, Jisun, who decides to sell herself to an old man to make money for her dying mother. However, after risking everything by crossing into China, she learns that no one wants to buy her and she finds herself on the streets.

In 2018, right after my son was born, I became deeply focused on the stories of North Korean women defectors after reading a book called “Girl with Seven Names” by Hyunseo Lee. The book literally shook my entire system and kept me awake at night. It was challenging to stay creative and find time to work on the piece while taking care of my newborn son. However, this intense urgency to share their incredibly courageous stories with the rest of the world kept me going.

In 2020, I premiered my first solo show, SELL ME: I am from North Korea, at the International Human Rights Festival in New York. During the pandemic, I recorded the show and virtually toured different colleges. I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.

In 2022, I was part of the Pan-Asian Theater Repertory’s festival in New York. Last autumn, I also had the honour to perform at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to call on the Chinese government to stop its forced repatriation policy. Recently, SELL ME was part of Soho Theater Company’s the Lighthouse series in NY.

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

The big shout-outs to all the fellow Asian female artists who make incredible work!

A good friend of mine, Carolyn Castiglis, is bringing her amazing one woman show CHUCK @ Uno Mas

Another wonderful friend of mine, Ricky Sim, is bringing an Asian Queer story “Coming Out to Dead People” @ Assembly Roxy Downstairs

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: Mustafa Algiyadi: Almost Legal Alien

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“Despite hearing that EdFringe was much bigger than the Brighton Fringe, which I had previously experienced, I couldn’t truly grasp how vast it was until I got there.”

WHO: Mustafa Algiyadi

WHAT: “Libyan Arab stand-up Mustafa Algiyadi – **** (The Voice) – longs to be part of the European way of life but is confronted with some cultural differences that make it confusing, chaotic and sometimes highly inappropriate! If you’re up for picking apart bad habits, religion, meditation, velvet sofas and for learning how to deal with annoying people, then why are you not booking your ticket already?!? ‘A warm and engaging comic’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Hilarious storytelling’ (ThePlaysTheThingUK.com). Approach ducks with caution.”

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

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first time debuting my solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I have been to the Fringe before. Last year, I performed a work-in-progress for about a week. While that was an incredible experience, this year marks my first full run with a debut hour.

The atmosphere last year was indescribable. It felt like being in a unique bubble where nothing outside mattered. I was constantly surrounded by creativity, witnessing the amazing work people put forth, which was incredibly inspiring. However, the work-in-progress run was challenging because I hadn’t anticipated the magnitude of the Edinburgh Fringe. Despite hearing that it was much bigger than the Brighton Fringe, which I had previously experienced, I couldn’t truly grasp how vast it was until I got there.

I had a memorable and challenging experience performing for just one audience member, turning it into an intimate conversation over a beer. That showed me how much preparation the Fringe requires. After that run, I realized the need for extensive preparation. I started getting ready back in November and have been continuously working on it. Now, with the festival approaching, it feels like there’s never enough time to finish everything.

Additionally, there was a time when I tried to visit a friend in Edinburgh for her wedding, but I was rejected entry and deported from the UK. This is one of the stories I will be sharing in my show.

The Edinburgh Fringe is unique because of its scale and the sheer energy it demands. The more effort and time you invest, the more rewarding it becomes. There’s no simple checklist to complete; you can always add more to enhance the experience. I’m extremely excited about this journey.

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

As I mentioned earlier, preparation is key, and I made sure to start early so I wouldn’t leave things to the last minute. Yet, it always feels like there’s more to do.

Another significant lesson is the importance of a strong storyline. Seeing how crucial it is in various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe inspired me to incorporate a compelling narrative into my own show. Ensuring there’s a captivating thread for the audience to follow has been a major focus, and I’m still working on perfecting that.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and produced the show myself. The premiere will be at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. I’ve done various work-in-progress performances at the Brighton Fringe this year and a few previews in Malta and Munich. I also have two more previews coming up in London right before the Fringe.

I’m planning to tour with the show and am already organizing a tour for autumn and winter across Europe. I will be visiting major cities like Amsterdam, Zurich, Berlin, Frankfurt, and many others across the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

During the Edinburgh Fringe, I’m hoping to connect with an industry partner that can help me organise a UK tour. Since I’m not based in the UK, I need support to navigate this process. Touring the UK in 2025, perhaps between winter and spring, would be a dream. So, if anyone reading this can help, please reach out!

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

Oh my god, I have such a long list of recommendations! But if I were to choose a few, I’d start with two of the most mind-boggling and exciting shows I’ve seen at the Fringe. First is Stamptown, a variety show that features different acts, including clowns and sketches, not just classical stand-up comedy. It’s a wonderful comedy show with a host who does a bit of anti-comedy, and the acts are just fantastic.

The second show is The Kaye Hole Hosted by Reuben Kaye. This is a queer-oriented variety show with Ruben Kaye larger-than-life persona as the host. His performance is a blend of singing, stand-up, and cabaret, and it’s incredible to see the creative energy he brings to the stage. The acts in this show are also outstanding.

One of the acts that often features in both these variety shows is Natalie Palamedis, a clown from LA. She’s bringing her show WEER to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, and I highly recommend seeing her. She’s off her mind in the best way imaginable, and it’s a treat to watch her perform live.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Lara Ricote’s new show, Little Tiny Wet Show (Baptism). I saw her work-in-progress last year, and it was very funny, so I’m excited to see the final version. Another performer I’m excited about is Chloe Petts. Her work-in-progress at the Brighton Fringe was hilarious, and I can’t wait to see the finished show.

Janine Harouni is another must-see. If you haven’t seen her, you have to go. She’s bringing Manoushe, the show that was nominated last year. She performed it while pregnant, and although I missed the final show, I saw two work-in-progress performances, and they were amazing and hilarious.

I’m also excited to see Kanan Gill, an Indian comedian with a special on YouTube. He’s incredibly precise with his words, and every line feels carefully crafted. His new show at the Fringe is something I’m really looking forward to.

Additionally, I highly recommend Mike Rice, an Irish comedian who is very, very funny. I saw two of his shows last year, and he is bringing a new hour this year, and I would highly recommend seeing him.

There are so many other acts I’m interested in, but these are some of the highlights.

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: Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“Edinburgh Fringe has always been a bucket list.”

WHO: Tom Hearn

WHAT: “It’s an Edinburgh debut for viral comedian Tom Hearn! This Canadian Comedy Award winner brings his comedic prowess to the Fringe stage, with jaw-dropping musical performances and gag-worthy original characters. This fabulous extravaganza also includes an ensemble of iconic impressions like Martha Stewart, James Corden and of course Ina Garten. With over 500K followers and 130 million views, Tom is one of of The Best Queer TikTok Creators To Follow In 2023 (ET Canada). Tom is not to be missed fresh off sold-out shows in Toronto and Off-Broadway’s Joe’s Pub.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Theatre 1 (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 22:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my Edinburgh debut…how fabulous is that!? The dream of my life has always been to tour my comedy. I’ve performed in some pretty cool places in North America (New York, Toronto, Montreal, Philadelphia, San Fransisco and so many others), but Edinburgh Fringe has always been a bucket list for me ever since my high school in Canada would fundraise and go every couple of years. They never went during my years at Hampton High School, then they did the year after I graduated (if only I had failed math for the second time)!

I have participated in many Fringe festivals in North America and I cannot wait to experience the spirit of the Fringe across the pond…the Granddaddy of Fringes, if you will.

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

One of the key things I’ve learned over YEARS of touring is… TECH. In my new show, I control all the tech live on stage through a series of buttons and petals. That includes lights, SFX and video. I never leave the stage! Performing comedy solo is all about timing and this why I’ve taken the power of tech into my hands., especially in this current show because there are a lot of improvised segments.

Tell us about your show.

My show ‘How Fabulous is That?!’ is a non-stop comedy extravaganza. The 45 minutes is full of original musical numbers, sickening characters, gay AF stand-up and my iconic impressions that have been viewed OVER 150 MILLION TIMES ONLINE! If that doesn’t get your heart BEATING… I wear a mesh top for the entire show.

How Fabulous is That?! is my third solo show. I debuted the show this April in Toronto and have been touring North America in partnership with LIVE NATION. My abridged version of the show won the ‘Producers Pick’ at the Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival. Once EdFringe comes to a close, I’ll be taking the show to New York, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Provincetown!

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

After you see my show, you gotta check out my sister show — Ajahnis Charley’s THOTS & PRAYERS. I had the pleasure of directing the debut and remount of the this fantastic sketch comedy show. THOTS & PRAYERS has gone on to win ‘Producers Pick’ at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and the ‘Best of the Fest’ at Montreal Sketchfest!

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: That’s Not My Name

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“This show has been evolving for two years now and I guess it seemed like a nice way to kill it off. You know, celebrate it’s due demise at the festival of all festivals.”

WHO: Sammy Trotman

WHAT: “This is not a show about mental health. This is a disorder. Is it rehearsed? That depends. Scripted? Half. Improvised? Absolutely not. Is it a play? No it’s not a f*cking play. F*ck off. My cousin in christ, this is a borderline comedy. ‘Falls into almost every category of art, or none of it: its own individual masterpiece of mess’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Hilarious’ ***** (LostInTheatreland.com). ‘Essential’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).”

WHERE: ZOO Southside – Studio (Venue 82) 

WHEN: 20:00 (75 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes it is going to be our first time. We’re a little nervous. It seemed like a good idea to go to Edinburgh, because isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? This show has been evolving for two years now and I guess it seemed like a nice way to kill it off. You know, celebrate it’s due demise at the festival of all festivals.

We’ve done Brighton Fringe twice with this show, as well as Greater Manchester Fringe once. I guess it really brings home how lucky we are as a production and team to have the resources we do to make this work amidst the uncertainty of Festivals. That said, Manchester was an absolute blast. They were ludicrously supportive.

But they are wonderful places to meet fellow artists and explore new work. I love being shocked by art, and there’s no better place to find the weird and wonderful than at Fringes.

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

I’ve learned not to take criticism personally. That said, I’ve definitely not absorbed it but I’m getting there. The show is highly controversial and we’ve had walkouts during a few this year. If that had happened in 2023 I think I would have changed my name and left the country. I don’t like upsetting people but I’m trying to tell myself that ‘good’ art is divisive.

I’ve also learned that Aptamil is a drastically underrated hair product. It’s better than salt spray. I couldn’t recommend it more for full volume curls. My hair has been living it’s best life since we introduced an Aptamil shower mid-show.

Tell us about your show.

The show is really difficult to explain and that isn’t on purpose. It’s a lived experience of madness on a stage, and ‘madness’ is hard to decipher else it wouldn’t be madness, right?

I wrote it a couple of years ago – and it’s a collection of different forms of ‘writing’ that I found easiest to express myself with at the time. I smashed together all these different individual skits – stand-up, sketch and songs – which all ended up working together to reject the personality disorder diagnosis.

I met our director, Jake, whilst working in a pub and we became anxious little friends. For some reason despite not knowing him for too long, I thought he’d get what I’d written. So I pretty much forced him to listen to me reel off jokes about my brain for an hour and the rest was history. Jake and I then started doing the show together on whims and changing it up every time we did.

On one of our runs I needed a technician last minute so I cornered my friend Scott (I have a habit of making people do things they don’t realise they want to) who is a landscape gardener and musician. I don’t know why I assumed he knew how to work a lighting desk, but I would be discrediting him if I said he didn’t because despite never using one before that show he smashed it. And he’s continued smashing it ever since. It’s kind of lovely in a way that we’ve all learned on the job and managed to make what we have and grow in our own right. The three of us called ourselves Covered in Jam because we realised that was how you get taken seriously in this life and got venues to reply to your emails. So the three of us (Covered in Jam) are the original creators and producers.

Along the way I happened to meet Stephen Bailey over at ASYLUM ARTS (Surfacing, It’s a MotherF*cking Pleasure) who wrote our Arts Council bid for us (successfully!) and took over producing the show from CIJ for the UK Tour this year. I was exhausted at this point & so grateful for Stephen taking the load. We wouldn’t be where we are without the help of ASYLUM. We’ve since performed the show around the Uk and Wales, selling out 7 venues respectively including The Camden People’s Theatre, Wales Millenium Centre, Brighton and Manchester Fringes. I’m grateful to have Stephen’s continued support during Edinburgh despite the fact CIJ now have the production reigns again.

We are also working closely with Brightmouth Production run by artists and collaborators Nathan and Theo who worked as Associate Producers on the UK tour and are helping us produce the show in Edinburgh too.

I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such cool people. It’s really crazy how the last 24 months have turned out.

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

Okay top five from me to you:

ALL THE MEN ARE GOING TO HATE ME by Maria Telkinoff over at Underbelly. Saw it at Brighton, it’s like if Bridget Jones and Rupi Kaur had a love child with ADHD. Chefs kiss.

TESTO by Wet Mess at Zoo Southside (main hall) 11-25th Aug. It’s part of the Here and Now Showcase, sounds f*cking animalistic and mind bendy and I need it. Also though, wait – so You Heard Me by Luca Rutherford is also part of H&N and ALSO at Zoo – that’s another one I want to watch – it looks fierce and I’m slightly scared of it.

NEUROCHATTER by Sara Harvey (Agony Autie) at Surgeons Hall. It’s on from the 19th-23rd Aug. I haven’t seen the show yet but I know it’s about the construct of Dissociative Identity Disorder and brings to light the harm of Psychiatric trauma. Go and support more mad artists!

LOOK AFTER YOUR KNEES by Natalie Bellingham over at The Pleasance 31st Jul – 26th Aug. I have a significantly long list of things I regret during my life so far and one of those things is not looking after my knees.

MANIKIN by working-class theatre co Saltire Sky over at the Wee Red Cross. The show is a collab with the British Obesity society and seeks to challenge the stigma and call out society’s relationship with it. And basically, I think that’s really f*cking important and should be seen.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!