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: The Last Bantam

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“My background’s in character comedy. I’m not a professionally trained actor and I think that that ‘coming from the outside’ approach gave me an advantage.”

WHO: Michael Hughes

WHAT: “1914. The Great War rages. Britain recruits 30,000 men between 5’ and 5’3″ to fight. These men come from all over Britain, Ireland and Canada. Known as Bantams after the small, aggressive rooster, they’re formed into special Bantam battalions. 1918. Bouzincourt, France. A group of reporters visit the front to write about the Bantams. One Bantam remains: Patrick Michael Wolfe, a teacher from Dublin. This is his story, from the battlefields of France to rebellion in Dublin. Inspired by real events. ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info). ***** (UKTW.co.uk). *****(@moreishtv) **** (PlaysInternational.org.uk). ‘Hidden Gem’ (FringeReview.co.uk). Spirit of the Fringe, Derek Awards.”

WHERE: Mint Studio at Greenside @ George Street (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 12:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope. This year will be my ninth physical encounter with Edinburgh. I’ve been coming up annually since 2016 (we don’t talk about 2020…) and it’s just something I do now.

Edinburgh is a remarkable phenomena. The city’s one of my favourites and during August it becomes a centre of the performing universe. Creatives from all over the globe (and I suspect a few from beyond it) come to Edinburgh to show the world what they’ve got. The result is an incredibly eclectic mix of disciplines. If you want to see a show about something – however niche – chances are, you’ll find it in the Edinburgh Fringe!

The thing I love most about Edfringe though is the energy. With thousands of performers and artistes within a few square miles, the city buzzes with potential. You can almost taste it! It’s this energy that brings me back every year. It renews my faith in humanity.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

What have I learned? Hmmm…. Preparation is all! In previous years I never bothered contacting reviewers for example. I just assumed they’d come to my show because, well, why wouldn’t they? Last year I realised that if I really wanted reviewers to come and see me in action I had to be more proactive. No more desultory media releases for me. No sir! I’m playing the game differently this year. Over the last year I’ve gathered information on key reviewers (along with, shall we say, some ‘interesting’ photographs?) and I’m looking forward to glowing reviews from The Scotsman, The Stage and Caravanning Weekly.*

*Please note that the above response does not constitute a confession. It is a work of fiction crafted for entertainment purposes only. The author does not practice or endorse any form of form of blackmail. Even of reviewers. And if you say he does you’ll regret it. He has the negatives…

Tell us about your show.

I wrote The Last Bantam after reading Sydney Allinson’s ‘Bantams’ a couple of years ago. I read his book and thought, ‘Wow! What an incredible story!’ I immediately hoovered up every and anything else I could find about them and before long I’d pages and pages of notes. I looked at those notes and thought, ‘This would make a fantastic play!’ and The Last Bantam was born! I wrote the first draft over a few days and did a pre-preview preview in my sitting room in July ’23. I did the preview proper in The Arts Depot, North Finchley before taking The Last Bantam to Edinburgh for its Fringe debut in August ’23. It went down a storm and I thought, ‘This show has legs. Short legs, yes, but legs nonetheless.’ and I’ve been doing it ever since, developing the story every time. I’ve produced The Last Bantam as very much a solo project. My background’s in character comedy. I’m not a professionally trained actor and I think that that ‘coming from the outside’ approach gave me an advantage. Like all the comics I know, I had an idea, tried and refined it and that was it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I suspect that had I an acting school background I might have needed the input and security of a ‘team’ around me and my show probably would have taken a year, rather than a few months, to develop. This year I’ve taken The Last Bantam to Nottingham, Wiltshire and Hampshire and after the Fringe I want to tour some more. I’d be extremely keen to make The Last Bantam into a movie. There’s a huge amount of drama in it. And a few laffs. I hear DeVito’s interested…

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

I think, after seeing The Last Bantam (the ONLY show in the Fringe by the way, about Britain’s ‘bantam’ soldiers) I’d send my audience to see the remarkable Stephen Catling in ‘Moving on… Really, really slowly’ (19:30 The Attic). I’m not sure what my audience would make of Stephen’s brand of ridiculous surreality (is that a word?), but my goodness, he makes me laugh! There’s also the incredible Ian Crawford’s ‘Accident Avoidance Training for Cutlery Users (advanced and improvers). I saw this last year and he had me in stiches. There’s moments of pure comic brilliance in that show! I’d also strongly recommend Stephen Smith’s ‘One Man Poe’ shows at Greenside. Stephen’s a towering talent (well, he’s taller than me) and he’s doing my lights and sound this year. I’m rather intimidated to be honest. What if he brings his raven?

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: A Gerry Christmas Carroll

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“There are weird coincidences most years, like the time there were lots of shows about the sad lives of battery chickens, as a metaphor for the human condition.”

WHO: Gerry Carroll

WHAT: “Scrooge is not just for Christmas. Gerry tells you his favourite Charles Dickens story – in August. A Merry Fringe for all, with singing and dancing. Come and be scared by ghosts! Enjoy the Fezziwigs’ Christmas party! Gerry first read the book when he was 10, so this show has been 62 years coming, and it’s worth it. Yes, Gerry is 72 and still going. He didn’t finish it in time for Christmas last year, but he’s here now with a brilliant 2025 Christmas show, four months early. Come and see!”

WHERE: Just the Attic at Just the Tonic at The Mash House (Venue 288) 

WHEN: 14:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

My first time in Edinburgh was 11 years ago, as a visitor to the Fringe for a weekend to see friends in shows. I loved the atmosphere- there were little rooms with black curtains that turned into stages, and you never knew what you might see. One student group showed us the destruction of the environment by inflating a huge globe and then bursting it with a pin. There are weird coincidences most years, like the time there were lots of shows about the sad lives of battery chickens, as a metaphor for the human condition. But there are also wonderful, weird finds that you couldn’t see anywhere else. Like a couple of actors being slugs in a mud bath, that was very funny and poignant.

Even as a punter, Edinburgh can be overwhelming. There’s just so much to do and see. People who are really organised start doing spreadsheets as soon as the Fringe brochure comes out, and they know exactly which shows they’re going to see. But you also have to be flexible and be open to going to a show you’ve never heard of, that may turn out to be great.

On my second visit to the Fringe, I came back as a performer with an improv group. It seems that Fringe takes over the city, you can see performances on the streets, in basements, everywhere. It’s like a month-long carnival. Whatever you prefer, improv or stand-up, or storytelling, there’s something for you. From a tiny solo show – someone doing the Trojan war in a room with thirty people, to a huge immersive production about the settlement of the western United States in a huge warehouse space, to Shakespeare and old-fashioned musicals.

I went to lots of solo shows and I envied the way the performers held the stage for an hour. I thought I’d love to do that, so I put together bits of stand-up and made them into my own first show in 2018. I’ve done a solo show most years since, and I’ve tried to make each show more personal and also better technically.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest thing I’ve learned is to follow my instincts and make a show that I love, which I hope that the audience will love too. I’m doing a full run, 24 shows, and I can’t wait to share what I’m doing.

This year I’ve adapted Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as a solo show. Using someone else’s story has allowed me to express myself through acting and clown. Last year, I depended on my own script and I was more focussed on the writing. I don’t have to worry about the writing this year- Charles Dickens is the best there ever has been! I hope to do him justice.

The Carol is 182 years old, and I hope to reveal why it has lasted so long. Everyone from the Muppets to Jim Carrey has made their own versions, but I go back to the original, in Dickens’ own words.

Tell us about your show.

It’s A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by me for a solo show. I use Dickens original words and story. There have been many versions since 1843, because it’s such a great book, and I hope to let my audience see why it’s lasted for 182 years. It’s a solo show, and I’ve done everything myself, with very little outside help.

I’ve got to know the stories and characters very well, and I’ll introduce you to them.

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

Michelle Burke’s Mind How you Go at Zoo Playground, 12.45 for the full run, original songs and story, is a great show about Irish roots, a lovely way to spend lunchtime. Michelle is a great talent with a lovely voice. Tickets from:
https://zoofestival.co.uk/programme/mind-how-you-go/

The show just after mine in the Attic at the Mash House at 4pm every day is Narin Oz’s Inner Childish. She’s very funny and genuine and well worth seeing. Tickets from:
https://edinburgh.justthetonic.com/event/88:4705/

Also, One Eyed Scouts present Improvised Movie Fun at 6.05 pm, 17th -24th August, part of PBH Free Fringe, at Brewdog, Lothian Road. They do really fun stuff based on films and film stars. There are four of them, all from different countries, and they usually perform online. This is only the third time they’ve met in person and they’re a joy to watch. It’s part of PBH’s Free Fringe, so just turn up and enjoy.

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: Tomás Bepalo: What Gets Better?

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“It’s no secret how tough comedy can be. Most people I know make money by running compilation shows (taking the ticket money—and some don’t even pay the guest comics). And for those of us who don’t manage to earn enough, we end up topping up with “anyone-can-do-it” kind of jobs a few days a week.”

WHO: Tomas Bepalo

WHAT: “A dark comedy exploring my chaotic life as a neurodivergent, nonbinary person navigating sex, dating, family and loneliness. From being a late-diagnosed neurodivergent to starting testosterone, I share exaggerated stories with humour, using catchphrases like: ‘I put the ‘T’ in Testosterone.’ This show highlights my struggles with dysphoria, mental health and the harsh reality that life doesn’t magically improve – but we get better at handling it. Through stand-up, storytelling and clowning, I aim to spark conversations and offer relatable laughs. It’s personal, emotional and a little messy – just like life.”

WHERE: Just the Club Room at Just The Tonic Legends (Venue 27) 

WHEN: 18:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not my first time here, but it is my first time doing a full-length solo show!

I first experienced the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018—initially just as an audience member with the occasional guest spot. Over the years, that turned into double bills and work-in-progress shows.

To me, the Edinburgh Fringe is like breaking up with someone for the first time. There are so many memories and emotional attachments that, when it’s over, you feel sad and empty… but also a bit relieved. You promise yourself you won’t do it again because it hurts, but next thing you know, you’re dating the same kind of clown by the following year. What can I say? I’m a romantic—I can’t live without love. Fringe.

The Fringe is special to me because it’s the one time I genuinely feel like a professional in this industry. So far, I’ve written, performed, and produced all my shows. It’s no secret how tough comedy can be. Most people I know make money by running compilation shows (taking the ticket money—and some don’t even pay the guest comics). And for those of us who don’t manage to earn enough, we end up topping up with “anyone-can-do-it” kind of jobs a few days a week.

So that sense of achievement—feeling like you actually belong—for a whole month? That’s precious.

It becomes part of your life. Pretty much everything you do before August is in preparation for it. You get to see old friends who come back every year—your “Fringe family”—and you meet loads of new, talented people too.

It’s busy. It’s exhausting. It’s rewarding in its own unique way. It’s a display of passion—or maybe an inner, unsatisfied desire to feel included. To feel like someone.

It’s Fringe.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve realised that people remember you. Even when you wish they wouldn’t. For the longest time, I genuinely thought I was going unnoticed by most people in the industry, and, to be honest, by pretty much everyone. However, in 2024 I became aware they do notice me. They know who I am. They probably don’t know my name or where I come from, but they know I’m a comic – or at least that I called myself a comic and I hope it catches on.

And yes, there is an embarrassing story behind this realisation—one I’m not entirely sure I can share so publicly! Still, this year, I’m planning to be more mindful and just give it my all. Perform at my best, every time.

Tell us about your show.

Let me start by making one thing very clear: I’m behind all of this. I am The Ideal Man Productions.

I’ve been writing this show for over a year now, and it’s changed dramatically from where it started. There’s a particular section where I try to address the latest Supreme Court ruling and how it affects the transgender community—primarily trans women. But because things keep changing (and not for the better), it’s been difficult to keep up. One day a joke makes sense, and the next, it’s completely outdated.

I also had the idea of creating a video—an animated cartoon—and producing a song to go with the show. That idea shifted quite a bit over time. In the end, there’s no video anymore (which makes travelling easier—no need for a projector), and the song evolved into the show’s theme tune, used at the beginning and end.

This is the first time I’ve ever written a song—and I know absolutely nothing about music. So I called my friend Pauline Vallance, who composed the music. Then my mate Stephen Davidson from the London Trans Choir brought together some of his members to record the vocals. My friend Xavier Velastin, a sound engineer, helped me pull it all together and also worked with me to create the full soundtrack for the show.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a perfectionist—especially when it’s something I care deeply about. That’s part of why it’s taken so long for me to finally debut the show. I’ve tested those jokes countless times and kept tweaking them until they felt right. I booked comedy writing sessions to go through the full script with both Viv Gee and Adele Cliff. I’m genuinely proud of what I’ve put together. My only hope now is that people either resonate with it—or just have a good time.

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

First, thank you for coming!

I think you should see a large number of artists. Start with my friends and don’t expect “normal” stand up:

Phil O’Shea: Something About Dogs. 4th, 5th & 12th August at 19:25. The Stand 2. The Stand Comedy Club.

Narin Oz: Inner Child(ish). From 31st July to 24th August at 16:00. The Mash House (Just the Attic). Just the Tonic.

My bestie, me dearest friend Angela Legg who is very talented and is doing 8 shows:

Hexes and Exes- 2nd-16th (even dates) at 12:00. The Outside- Upstairs room. PBH’s Free Fringe.

My Mind is A Maze(ing)- 3rd to 17th (odd dates) at 12:00. The Outside- Upstairs room. PBH’s Free Fringe.

We Have to Think of a Really Good Show Name – 2nd-16th (even dates) at 15:30. Satyr Bar. PBH’s Free Fringe.

SCREWED- 2nd-16th (even dates) at 19:00. Satyr Bar. PBH’s Free Fringe.

A Real Live Scratch Night- 3rd to 17th (odd dates) at 19:00. Satyr Bar. PBH’s Free Fringe.

Legg’s Fishnet Of Talent – Numerous dates and venues for this one.

The Great Dane’s Kennel Club- Numerous dates and venues for this one.

I would also recommend the following people as I know they are talented. Kate Hammer, Kathleen Hughes, Amanda Hursy, Ruth Hunter, Adele Cliff, Gabriel Featherstone, Hooky Productions and Shelf (technically a kid’s show, but they’re stupidly funny).

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: Sugar

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I have some Scottish heritage but I could always do with a wee bit more Scottish in me…”

WHO: Tomáš Kantor

WHAT: “Theatrical, outrageous, silly and sexy, Tomáš Kantor’s award-winning debut is about Sugar – a gender-queer twink who discovers there’s money to be made from transactional relationships (though their primary source of information is Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman). What could go wrong? Australian superstar-in-the-making Tomáš sings everything from Kylie to Gaga to Chappell Roan in this show about luxury, power and being paid to have sex on a grand piano, written by Fringe First Award-winning playwright Ro Bright. ‘Cabaret Veterans might feel as if they’re witnessing a baby Meow Meow or Paul Capsis’ (Age).”

WHERE: Checkpoint at Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 322) 

WHEN: 16:12 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Well, I came to Edinburgh (an eternity ago) as a pimply, pubescent, closeted fourteen-year-old (a literal baby) on a family holiday. This year I’m *BAAACK* (lock up your daddies): triumphantly returning as a fully-fledged, radiant-skinned, genderqueer, (aging) twink, sugar-babe chanteuse! So, for all intents and purposes, this is my first time (like a virgin, but in a “back-door-doesn’t-count” kinda way). I couldn’t be more excited to debut in Edinburgh with my no-holds-barred (more like no-HOLES-barred) confessional cabaret. It’s the biggest fringe festival in the world (werkkk), and I’m keen to discover the dazzling diamonds in this year’s line-up, destined to outshine the meagre “crown jewels” I remember from my infantile coquetry (cockadooodledoo). Any Scottish daddies keen to show me the ropes, buy me dinner, lead me down dark alleyways, please slide into my dms (lube up, it’s a tight squeeze). I have some Scottish heritage but I could always do with a wee bit more Scottish in me…

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2024 was a big year of absorption (rectal), but unfortunately not of lessons.

Tell us about your show.

SUGAR is a slick and sexy, camp and couture, pop-banger and pop-culture infused cabaret joyride with an undercover, wildly overconfident, sugar baby (me…) at the wheel. I go balls to the wall (ouch) to get you the confessional scoop. I like to say I went “full method” (Lady Gaga, Haus of Gucci level delusion) with only Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” as my guide. The ensuing quest for daddy’s load is anything but smooth sailing (to quote Julia: big mistake, BIG, HUGE). Stacked with iconic gay references and tunes from your faves: Gaga to Chappell Roan, Kylie to Dula Peep, Charli to… Macklemore?!

My team: Kitan Petkovski (director/diva), Ro Bright (Fringe-First winning playwright and producer), Bethany J Fellows (divine design on a dime), Rachel Lewindon (musical-goopery) and Spencer Herd (lighting-gaggery). Longtime collaborators: we’re queer and we’re here to push the boundaries of narrative and form. We were commissioned by Melbourne Fringe (yes, they called us) in 2024 to make some magic and boom, SUGAR was born. She’s since popped her pussy all around Australia, stopping at Adeliade Cabaret Festival, Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Company and Arts Centre Melbourne before arriving preened, plucked and pampered for you in Edinburgh. Next stop…Netflix?

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

So there’s an incredible array of quality Australian work playing at the festival this year that I’d recommend HIGHLY. You want genre-bending drag? Check out Jens Radda in ‘Skank Sinatra’ for a crooning queen with wonderful storytelling powers, or Iva Rosebud amidst the circus of ‘Bernie Deiter’s Club Kabarett’ for raucous campery undercut with gut-wrenching poignancy. For hysterical musical comedy, look no further than Mel and Sam in “Platonic Human Centipede” – these girls are SO FUNNY and they’re back at fringe this year after an incredible debut in 2024. I never got to catch Hayley Edwards’ show “Shitbag” in Australia, but it cleaned up and they’re wonderful, so pop this intimate, confessional theatre moment on your list. I’m also SUPER keen for ‘RED INK’ starring Chiquitita as the late great Cecilia Gentili – looks like camp, trans comedy at its finest!

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: Ismael Loutfi: Heavenly Baba

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I wrote “Heavenly Baba” because I wanted to make something deeply personal, and utterly un-clippable.”

WHO: Ismael Loutfi

WHAT: “Comedian Ismael Loutfi’s father tried to convert the state of Florida to Islam. He did not succeed. This hilarious solo show examines those efforts, and the impact they had on Ismael’s family. Heavenly Baba is a show that needs to be seen to be believed, a hilarious and touching exploration of what it means to express oneself honestly and authentically, and how not to lose yourself in said expression. Ismael is a comedian, writer and actor, currently writing on the upcoming animated show Mating Season, from the team behind Big Mouth.”

WHERE: Studio Five at Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! I’ve wanted to do Edinburgh for years. Comics in New York City would often be gone over the summer, only to return with tales of a great carnival out East. A land where people of all stripes can express their art and hone their craft. A land where the people speak English, but also– do they? I started working on my show because I became annoyed with the direction stand-up was heading: clips, crowd work, selfie-videos, all started to blend together as a betrayal of the artform I love. I wrote “Heavenly Baba” because I wanted to make something deeply personal, and utterly un-clippable. Immediately after performing the show for the first time, I started setting my sights on Fringe, a place where an hour-long comedic story could thrive.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest thing I learned last year was that I hate Los Angeles, California. I moved to LA for writing work at the beginning of 2024. I already knew LA wasn’t my speed, but I hoped that with a well paying job or two, I’d learn to love it. But alas, I do not love it. I hate it. This city is hopeless, and I’m thankful to know that I must leave it as soon as humanly possible. Now, regarding “Heavenly Baba,” I learned that sitting in the emotional moments of the show is not a bad thing. As a comic, going too long without a laugh (ie. a single minute) is anathema to my very existence. But with this show, I’ve been taught that crowds actually appreciate, and even want me to take a moment on stage when the subject matter gets heavy enough.

Tell us about your show.

I started running “Heavenly Baba” two years ago at an indie club in Bushwick called “The Tiny Cupboard.” I wrote the show all by myself – but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been collaborators along the way. My director, Greg Walloch, has helped me finetune the show in multiple ways, and has been an excellent sounding board for certain wacky ideas. He’s also helped the production evolve past “man talks into microphone,” and has given the show a fuller, more professional, feel. AEG is producing the show at Fringe, and they’ve been little angels. After the festival, I plan to do a run off-broadway.

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

Check out Laurie Magers’ “Do You Accept These Charges,” at Pleasance. She’s incredibly talented and has been a good friend to me while I’ve lived in LA. Her love for her show has inspired me in so many ways. She comes from a theatre background, so her work ethic regarding the production made me feel silly doing mine, which was essentially just “man talks into microphone.” Seeing her made me take “Heavenly Baba” more seriously as a production, and it’s since blossomed. Also, I’m rooming with her for the month of the festival, so if you don’t go to her show she’s going to be very annoying to live with.

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: #1 Mexican in Estonia

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I am very fortunate because I have experienced the two sides of Edinburgh: both as the world capital of comedy and theatre during August and the cozy big city it is the rest of the year.”

WHO: Ana Falcon

WHAT: “Have you ever dreamed of being #1? Ana Falcon’s high-energy, late-night stand-up dives into her journey of becoming the #1 Mexican in Estonia. Because if you can make it in Eastern Europe, you can make it anywhere! This show premiered to rave reviews at the 2024 Tallinn Fringe: ‘A powerful feat of storytelling and stand-up’ (SourCreamAndDill.com). Ana Falcon, crowned the 2024 Comedy Roast Champion, is a Mexican comedian based in Estonia. She is part of Pussy Jam Comedy, a collective which creates safe spaces where LGBTQ+ people and their friends can enjoy stand-up in English.”

WHERE: Las Vegas at Laughing Horse @ City Cafe (Venue 85) 

WHEN: 23:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a comedian, yes. As a muggle, no.

I spent a semester studying my MA at Edinburgh back in 2017, and even as a hungry and broke student, I loved the vibes! It reminded me of my Mexican hometown, in the sense that here people work hard, play hard, and laugh even harder.

I came back in 2023 as an EdFringe punter and I was impressed at how different the city is during the festival. It is a Princess Fiona-level of transformation. I am very fortunate because I have experienced the two sides of Edinburgh: both as the world capital of comedy and theatre during August and the cozy big city it is the rest of the year.

What makes EdFringe special is that, in the time and age where everything happens on a screen, it is quite human. You see thousands of people performing at the beat of their own drum, telling their own stories. It is like summer camp for adults. You get to play like a kid again, not to win, but just for the fun of it.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Never order 4-alarm fire hot wings on an empty stomach.

Last year I could not come to Edinburgh, so I did a few shows at the Tallinn Fringe instead. On a particularly busy day, I skipped lunch and met my husband for dinner at a TexMex restaurant. I was craving hot wings, but the only option they had was the 4-alarm fire ones.

I thought I could handle them because I’m Mex-I-can, but I learned a valuable lesson later that night: You might get them in, but getting them out will make you see in technicolor.
I am taking protein bars to the EdFringe this summer to avoid this situation.

Tell us about your show.

‘#1 Mexican in Estonia’ is my first solo stand-up and is all about the human yet impossible aspiration to be number one at something. That goal can easily carry you away, and in my case, it took me all the way to Estonia, a tiny nation sandwiched between Finland (yay!) and Russia (oh no!). In Estonia, sometimes I do feel like the last Mexican on Earth. Especially in mid-December, when temperatures drop to below -10 and the night lasts 16 hours.

I wrote this comedy show last year, and premiered it at the 2024 Tallinn Fringe. The audience’s reaction inspired me to take it abroad, and so far this year I have presented it at FinFringe in Finland and now I look forward to perform it at the EdFringe.

I might take a break after the craziness that is the EdFringe, but I’d love to take this show around the world, including the Fringe festivals in Adelaide and Edmonton

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

If you like showcases, ‘100% C*ntinental’ by Mari Volar and Sharon VS always has the best female performers!

You should definitely see Aleksandr Popov, an Estonian comedian that finds humor in the darkest of places. His ‘Why I stayed’ show is a great example of the twisted quirks of Estonian comedy.

Also, Phil Ellis steals my breath away, literally. Because I had a mild asthma attack after watching him dressed in a catsuit back in 2023 (thanks Fringe flu!).

And I’ve already got my tickets to see Emmanuel Sonubi’s ‘Life After Near Death’ because game recognises game.

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: And All That Jazz – a half hour by Gillian Gurganus

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I’m naturally a huge planner and I want everyone around me to be happy.”

WHO: Gillian Gurganus

WHAT: “A half hour of sharp, witty and glamorous comedic storytelling from gorgeous American comedian, Gillian Gurganus – a triple threat who has definitely never been fired from a job! Come on this journey and witness Gillian looking for her big break… in all the wrong places! She might even sing and dance for you, if you’re lucky.”

WHERE: Just Up The Stairs at Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 14:25 (30 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This IS my first time in Edinburgh! It’s my first time in the UK ever, actually – I went to Spain in 2023 but trust me, that’s a story for another time! I could not be more thrilled to be making my international debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, some of my favorite comedians have done runs at the Fringe – they inspire me to aim higher and higher! I think something that makes an arts festival great is diversity – I think that a lot of times we as artists get in the groove of supporting acts that sound like us, look like us, and think like us. I’m pumped to see shows produced and performed by people from so many different experiences and perspectives at the Fringe!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2024 was all about rebuilding and reassessing both my short and long term goals – it felt like a time in my life where so many new things were starting! All of those new beginnings made me want to savor being present in the moment and not wishing for time to speed up. I’m naturally a huge planner and I want everyone around me to be happy (Libra sun, Capricorn moon AND rising here!) so sometimes living in the moment can be hard for me, I love to be 18 months ahead of myself! Honestly, preparing for my Edinburgh Fringe run this year has shown me how important it is to balance both savoring the excitement of it all while keeping my eyes on the road ahead, so to speak. Sure, I have goals like “get good reviews, connect with other performers during Fringe” but most of all I just want to enjoy my time, explore Edinburgh, and try vegetarian haggis!

Tell us about your show.

Not only am I the star of And All That Jazz – but I wrote it too! This is my first half-hour solo show, all about my journey to fame and stardom, one horrible, mind-numbing, job at a time. I performed the very first version of the show at my monthly storytelling comedy show, Messy Queens, in 2023, and then a 15 minute version as a part of The PIT’s (The Peoples Improv Theater in Manhattan, NY) Annual SOLOCOM Festival in 2024. I debuted the glamorous half-hour version it is now at Brooklyn Comedy Collective as well last year! Who knows where I’ll take it next – the Gillianaires (my fans!) are everywhere!

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

I love a good plug! After you see my show, you MUST see these 3 shows from my fellow New Yorkers – Bailey Swilley’s Gimme a Sign! Andrea Coleman’s 3 White Guys Named John, and Douglas Widick’s Paperclip. All of these artists are incredible performers with strong comedic timing and the writing chops to back it up! Plus, all of them are certified Gillianaires!

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: Barry Ferns: My Seven Years as Lionel Richie

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I first came in 1995 as a child when I was in the competition “So you Think you’re Funny. I didn’t with the competition – a man called “Lee Mack” did. I wonder what happened to him?”

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

WHAT: “A new show from Barry Ferns about being a stand-up comedian since the age of 15, the Edinburgh Fringe, going from being homeless to being offered half a million pounds as a TV presenter and living seven years of your life as the Grammy award-winning artist, Lionel Richie. Nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival, 2025. ‘A marvelous, personal, beautifully constructed and laughter-packed hour’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). **** (Scotsman). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Unnecessarily Sadistic’ * (Chortle.co.uk).”

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

WHEN: 18:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 20th time at the Fringe – I first came in 1995 as a child when I was in the competition “So you Think you’re Funny. I didn’t with the competition – a man called “Lee Mack” did.

I wonder what happened to him?

I maik joak of course.

Of the two of us – One of us is a multi millionaire comedy superstar – and one of us is me.

I’ve onlyt ever been up as a “punter:” along when I was 15, 16, 17 adn 18, all the other time I’ve been a performer. But I remember being wow-ed the non-stop-crazyness, of what all these people were doing with their lives. It was so inspiring. It felt like running away to the circus for a week.

A human circus.

Where the animals treat themselves badly.

Of course with so many shows and performances, there is so much on offer that you stop being able to appreciate it any more. Edinburgh is the few places you’ll hear the line “Oh, not ANOTHER sword swallowing Mexican”

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2024 was a great year for me, and led to this show!

I worked closely with a storyteller called Debs Newbold and it was like going back to performer-school again.

I am also going to much more theatre and music gigs in teh fringe as some of those were highlights last year (Though not Oasis)

I believe more than ever that you should follow your dreams. Of course experts would say, no, don’t follow your dreams. Dreams are expressions of your subconscious, so that is dangerous psychotic behavior. If you follow your dreams you’re insane. My last dream involved hanging outside post offices untying tethered dogs and putting them in taxis. So fair point.

The caution about Edinburgh Festival, is you often only hear about the successes – The Eddie Izzards. History IS written by the winners

(Okay, well I guess it’s written by Historians. And they’re rarely winners. At least not socially. Though of course history won’t record that. 200 years from now academics will be saying “Yes, and apparently Historians were the sex gods of the 21st century”)

So in short – no, I prbably haven’t absorbed the important lessons….

Tell us about your show.

My Show! I am producing it, and I wrote it. I have acting friends who look at Stand Up Comedians and think we are mad for writing and putting on our own shows.

I did take it to another festival this year too – The Leicester Comedy Festival and got nominate for “Best New Show” which was a great delight.

Oh and I really recommend Hastings Comedy Festival too – it’s always great and the organisers Jake and Chris care so much about comedy.

If the festival goes well I hope to take it to Australia in 2026

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

My HOT TIP is Thor Stenhaug. I’ve known him since his first gigs and his show is the funniest I’ve seen this year and he’s worked incredibly hard on it. Really meaningful, moving, funny and charming.

I also recommend Alasdair Beckett King. I’ve done shows with him in the past but his solo shows are enviously well written and enjoyable.

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: Doktor Kaboom: UNDER PRESSURE!

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“I learned that self harm among young people is on the rise as are most other mental health issues, and there is little to no awareness of it on a national level, anywhere! Families and teachers are generally on their own with no guidance or tools. No one is talking about it, so I decided to.”

WHO: David Epley

WHAT: “Be amazed by the power of pressure – and what it can teach us! Doktor Kaboom’s new show is fit to burst with astonishing live science experiments, stand-up comedy and lessons in empowerment – using the physics of pressure to explore the stresses of real life. Back for a fourth year with brand-new experiments for 2025, don’t miss this spectacular hour of ‘perfect family entertainment’ (POWShowbiz.com). Commissioned by the John F Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington DC. ‘One of the most fun, educational and hilarious family-friendly shows Edinburgh Fringe has ever seen’ ***** (TheatreScotland.co.uk).”

WHERE: Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 13:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my fourth time in Edinburgh and all for the Fringe. I first came in 2022 as a bucket list event, but was immediately hooked! August has become my favorite month of the year. The exceptional confluence of incredible performers and intelligent audiences from all over the world create an incredibly unique event for everyone, every time. I simply cannot get enough of it. There are a few successful imitators around the globe, but none come close to the feel, the excitement, and the pure adventure of Edinburgh. I get to perform for fantastic audiences, see and befriend amazing performers, spend the month in one of the most beautiful cities, and live in a house filled with street performers, comedians, theatre artists, writers, it is pure joy!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I had an idea for a new show, based on some observations I’d made. I was able, since 2024, to put it together and see if it really had the potential I saw. I am fortunate enough to learn that it does. It is adding value to the lives of audience members, creating family memories and discussions.

Tell us about your show.

I write all of my shows, myself. This one is unique in that, while I’ve always included moments of personal empowerment in my performances, this is the first time I’ve decided to specifically take on a single primary topic. Touring after the pandemic shutdowns I came to realize that audiences had subtly changed in their behaviour. Most of my shows around the world are in large theaters with over a thousand students brought in, and I’m alone on stage with no fourth wall. I interact with them directly for the full hour. So, I get a good feel for where they are in that moment. I eventually realized students had been psychologically traumatized by the shutdowns. Looking into it, I learned that self harm among young people is on the rise as are most other mental health issues, and there is little to no awareness of it on a national level, anywhere! Families and teachers are generally on their own with no guidance or tools. No one is talking about it, so I decided to. When I began to work on the show, The Kennedy Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences Program reached out and asked to commission the piece, and we premiered it there last October. For the international premier, I reached out to Suzanna Rosenthal Productions and The Pleasance, for their assistance making it come together here. They are magnificent teams to work with, and I am so grateful to have them on my side!

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

For the whole family, I highly recommend, “Out of the Box” from Darryl J. Carrington. Darryl is a personal friend and I’ve watched him create this show from a few ideas while street performing to a full on award-winner of a show! He is multi-talented, and brilliantly comic. For adults, only, I really cannot impress enough the brilliance of “Fuselage” by Annie Lareau. Full disclosure, she is my wife, but I am in awe of what she has created. Annie was meant to be on Pan Am 103, destroyed over Lockerbie, but couldn’t afford the £75 fee to change her reservation. As a result she sat in her London flat and watched the news of 35 of her friends, along with so many others, having their lives violently destroyed. She does a masterful job with this 3-hander she has written, exploring the event’s effects on her life as well as on the people of Lockerbie. It is a piece of potent theatre about survival and being human in this modern world. See it, but bring tissue.

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: Fuselage

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“To bring this piece to the Edinburgh Fringe is not only an artistic milestone—it’s a chance to honor those lives lost, to remember, and to remind. There’s no stage in the world that feels more appropriate for telling this story.”

WHO: Annie Lareau

WHAT: “On the 21st December 1988, a bomb exploded aboard Pan Am 103 over the quiet Scottish town of Lockerbie. Annie Lareau was meant to be on the flight with 35 of her Syracuse University classmates, heading home for Christmas. She was left behind. The lives of a tight-knit group of friends intertwine with the voices of Lockerbie locals in this electric ensemble piece – set against the ticking clock of prophetic nightmares and a terrorist plot. Through youthful buoyancy, debilitating grief, international media scrutiny and self-punishment, Annie’s journey is a poignant tribute to treasuring relationships in an unpredictable world.”

WHERE: Above at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:45 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my first time onstage at the Edinburgh Fringe, but certainly not my first time experiencing the festival. I’ve spent the past two summers in the thick of it with my husband, David Epley—better known to Fringe audiences as Doktor Kaboom. Before that, I was immersed in the world of comedy improv festivals, so I’m no stranger to the marathon days, multiple-show schedules, and the electric atmosphere that define a great festival experience.

What makes the Edinburgh Fringe truly special is its sheer scale—it’s the largest arts festival in the world, a place where performers across all disciplines gather to take risks, share stories, and connect with audiences from around the globe. But beyond the numbers and reputation, what makes this Fringe unforgettable for me is that I’ll be bringing a very personal story to a stage that feels intrinsically right for it.

What sets this experience apart from my past festival roles is the gravity of the story we’re telling. Fuselage revisits the tragedy of Pan Am 103, the bombing over Lockerbie that bound Scotland and the United States in shared grief. While in America that event has faded from memory, overshadowed by later tragedies, its echoes are still felt deeply in Scotland. To bring this piece to the Edinburgh Fringe is not only an artistic milestone—it’s a chance to honor those lives lost, to remember, and to remind. There’s no stage in the world that feels more appropriate for telling this story.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since 2024, I’ve learned a great deal—both by observing others and by preparing for my own debut as a performer at the Fringe. While this is my first time onstage here, I’ve had a front-row seat to the realities of the festival through my husband, David Epley, and many friends who’ve performed in everything from traditional theatres to the street pitches. The lessons are many, and yes—I’m already putting them into practice.

First and foremost: Take care of your body. Twenty-plus consecutive performances are both exciting and intense. Treat hydration, nutrition, and sleep as non-negotiables, not luxuries. It’s about preserving your voice, your focus, and your spirit and so you still have something left to give.

Second: I hope to pace myself. The fringe is overwhelming in the best way, full of brilliant shows and artists I admire. But trying to see it all is a recipe for burnout. I’ve learned to pick a few must-sees while leave space for spontaneity, and sometimes just going home to rest.

Another big takeaway I hope to remember: Edinburgh is not just a backdrop—it’s part of the magic. The city itself is something not to be missed.

Tell us about your show.

Fuselage is a brand-new theatrical work written and performed by myself and two other actors. The play is based on my memoir, which I began writing in 2019 and completed a first draft of in 2021. The story draws from my deeply personal connection to the tragedy of Pan Am Flight 103. As a Syracuse University student set to travel with my friends and classmates from a study abroad program, by a twist of fate, I could not get on the plane. The production explores the aftermath of that moment: survivor’s guilt, the search for meaning, and the voices—both American and Scottish—that were forever altered by the bombing over Lockerbie.

Blending humor, memory, and grief, Fuselage is told through the eyes of a three-person ensemble and features multimedia elements including original sound and lighting design, projections, and movement. The creative team came together over the last six months, assembling a director and designers to help bring the story to life visually and emotionally. Once the script was in strong shape, the team began a series of rehearsals and workshops to develop the piece further.

The production held a limited run of three workshop performances earlier this year in Seattle, giving audiences a first look who also offering crucial feedback that was used to sharpen the storytelling and pacing. Edinburgh Fringe marks the official premiere of Fuselage, and while no post-Fringe tour dates have been confirmed yet, the team is actively exploring future opportunities to bring the play to other stages—particularly in communities with strong ties to the events it portrays.

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

Well, I am a bit bias, but I would encourage anyone to see my husband’s brilliantly fun family show, Doktor Kaboom. Bring your friends, your kids and a joyous heart and learn something along with way.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!