Tag Archives: All These Pretty Things

EdFringe Talk: All These Pretty Things

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“This year I’m doing four festivals in four weeks, which means an avalanche of posters, flyers, press emails… and mistakes.”

WHO: Tracey Yarad

WHAT: “An emotionally raw blend of memoir and song, Tracey Yarad’s All These Pretty Things is a phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes story, taking the audience from Australia and the fallout of a devastating divorce following her husband’s affair with their teenage goddaughter, to New York City and an inspiring new life. An evocative portrayal of one woman’s capacity to come back stronger than ever – an inspirational testament to the human spirit.”

WHERE: Fingers Piano Bar at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Fingers Piano Bar (Venue 221) 

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my second time at the Edinburgh Fringe. I performed the same show last year with a full month-long run. As much as I loved the experience, I wasn’t planning on coming back this year — mostly for the usual reason: money. Like so many artists, I found the costs overwhelming — venue fees, advertising, posters, PR, accommodation — it all adds up fast. I told myself, “Don’t do it again unless someone offers you the Big Tent!” (Which, of course, didn’t happen. Ha!)

Then, earlier this year, I was performing at Adelaide Fringe and happened to meet a Free Fringe regular at a bar. We were commiserating over something (I’ll keep that off the record), and although we’d never met before, we got chatting. He came to my show, liked what he saw, and said, “Let’s see if we can find you a Free Fringe venue in Edinburgh.”

And now — here we are. I’m performing at Fingers Piano Bar with a gorgeous grand piano ready and waiting for me. How could I say no to that? Even if it is at 16:40 each day… I mean, what better time for a cocktail and a show before the evening kicks in?

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

Honestly, I had no idea I was supposed to keep working the same show. After Adelaide, I figured I’d put it to bed and move on. But my Adelaide producer gave me a reality check: “You’ve got to come back again and again. After about five years, you’ll start seeing real momentum — full houses, strong reviews, word of mouth.” That was a big lesson. Don’t count your chickens after the first festival. This is a slow build.

I’ve also learned I can do my own publicity — although let’s be real, a bit of help wouldn’t go astray. This year I’m doing four festivals in four weeks, which means an avalanche of posters, flyers, press emails… and mistakes. Just yesterday, I sent out a batch of emails to journalists, only to be politely informed that my links went to the wrong festival — and my website redirected to an iPhone ad. Jesus. So yes, maybe I do need help.

The biggest lesson, though, is resilience. You need a thick skin in this game. Some audiences are small — really small — and that can be demoralising if you let it. But I’ve learned that if even one person shows up and truly feels something, then I’ve done what I came to do. That’s the goal. That’s the win.

Tell us about your show.

So let’s begin with the pitch on the show: What do you do when your husband leaves you for your teenage goddaughter? You dye your wedding dress black, write some killer songs and make a show.

That’s exactly what I did.

This is my real story — raw, painful, sometimes funny, and absolutely true. In this one-hour performance, I bare it all on stage through original songs and spoken word. I co-wrote the script with my director, Tessa Souter, who originally came on board to help edit the book version of the show.

I met Tessa during COVID in 2021. She’s also a jazz singer and was performing at Soapbox Gallery, a venue I was running in Brooklyn with Jimmy Greenfield. We were one of the only places still hosting live music during the pandemic — live-streaming from our listening room six nights a week. Tessa came in, we clicked immediately. She’s a Londoner, I’m an Aussie — there was something in the shared humour and outsider perspective that sealed the deal. We knew we were going to be best mates.

The show premiered in its current form at New York’s 59E59 Theaters, then went on to Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, followed by Adelaide, Brighton, Eastbourne, Manchester, Durham, and Camden — and now it’s come full circle, back to Edinburgh.

After this run, I’m heading to a festival in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I’m based in New York now, and in 2025–26 I’m hoping to focus more of the tour across the U.S. It’s time to plant deeper roots on home turf.

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

Her Raving Mind
I’ve heard this is intense and honest and I’m drawn to anything that tackles mental health without sugarcoating it. I feel like this one will leave a mark — in the best way.

Jane Does Comedy
She’s got a rep for being seriously funny and sharp — I’m hoping for smart laughs with a bit of bite. Also, I love a woman owning the stage with zero apologies.

You Oughta Be In Pictures
I’m a sucker for film nostalgia and stories about dreams that don’t quite go to plan. This one sounds heartfelt, and a little glam. Curious to see where it goes.

Gay Disabled Vegan
I mean — what a title! I’m in already. I love shows that tear up expectations and serve truth with a side of wit. Can’t wait to see what this one brings.

Magic Faraway Cabaret
The name alone makes me want to wander in. I want glitter, absurdity, and something that feels like a dream you can’t quite explain the next day.

Shit Show
Yes. Just yes. If you’ve ever had a year (or decade) that felt like a disaster movie, this feels like the perfect place to laugh and cry about it.

Dark Folk Music
Moody music is my comfort zone — give me melancholy melodies and lyrics that bite. I’m going for the atmosphere and to maybe brood a little in the corner.

The Superkrauts
They sound completely bonkers in the best way. I love a show where you just surrender to the madness and enjoy the ride. Also — costumes!

Rebecca Maree & Friends
I want to go to this one to feel held. There’s something really warm about the idea of a musical hangout — real songs, real people, nothing flashy, just heart.

The Creative Martyrs
I’ve heard they’re gothic, satirical, and musically brilliant — I don’t even need to know more. I want to see them just because they sound like they’ve crawled out of a Kurt Weill fever dream.

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EdFringe Talk: All These Pretty Things

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

image of event

“Collaborating with another artist who truly understands the content and shares the same love, drive and enthusiasm for a project, can take it to new heights that would not be possible with a single vision.”

WHO: Tracey Yarad

WHAT: “An emotionally raw blend of memoir and song, Tracey Yarad’s All These Pretty Things is a phoenix rising from the ashes story, taking the audience from Australia and the fallout of a devastating divorce following her husband’s affair with their teenage goddaughter, to New York City and an inspiring new life. An evocative portrayal of one woman’s capacity to come back stronger than ever, it is an inspirational testament to the human spirit. ‘Beautiful alchemy: breathtakingly honest, gorgeously sung songs on the themes of loss and abandonment, and the restorative power of music and love’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”

WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aquila – studio (Venue 21) 

WHEN: 17:10 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first time to the Edinburgh Fringe, and my first time to the city. Performing at the Fringe is a lofty goal, so to be invited to perform by C Arts Venues is terribly exciting. I have performed at various festivals in Australia, and the atmosphere created by a captive audience whose main goal is to discover new original music is utterly thrilling. Their curiosity and energy is inspiring, especially when they are lining up backstage to talk to you. Looking at the footage, I know that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s eclectic mix of creative performing arts bundled into a full month is going to be electrifying.

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

2023 was a great year for my project, ‘All These Pretty Things.’ It was the year my book was finished and printed. I also previewed the show twice in New York City, and played to packed houses in Sydney and nearby Taree. I learned so much about my show through these performances, and developed it further through the critical feedback from those audiences on how the show worked and flowed. I then came back to NYC where I worked briefly with a Broadway coach, then a theatrical director, which ultimately led me back full circle to my editor and co-writer, acclaimed jazz vocalist and former international journalist Tessa Souter, who agreed to work closely with me in her debut as a director. I think we have both learned that collaborating with another artist who truly understands the content and shares the same love, drive and enthusiasm for a project, can take it to new heights that would not be possible with a single vision. We are really looking forward to bringing it to Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

The show is about my devastating midlife divorce, answering the question: “What do you do when your husband of 23 years runs off with your teenage goddaughter?” “Neck him!” a young woman said to me today, miming a slit throat. I should have thought of that before. Instead, I dyed my wedding dress black, wrote some songs and made a show. I also moved from a tiny mountain village in Australia to New York City, where I now live in Brooklyn with my border collie, Billie Rae and where I developed the show. I wrote the music, collaborating on some songs with Aussie and Nashville writers, and then wrote a book, collaborating and co-writing additions with the show’s director, Tessa Souter. This latest edition contains brand new songs and monologues and, aside from the three previews at 59E59th theatre in New York, will have its official premier in Edinburgh at the festival. The plan is to take this show to fringe festivals and theatres all over the world.

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

I am in awe at the number of incredible shows offered at the Fringe, I cannot wait to get around and see what other artists are presenting. Here’s who I have on my list already, if you want to join me after my show: Two Guys, Three Drams: The Ultimate Live Blues and Whisky Experience. Why see this after mine? Because you will need a good whiskey and this kind of raw energy. I’m definitely checking out the show After the Rainbow: A Mystical Music-full Midlife Journey Through Oz, for more inspiration on being here now and following the rainbow. Gorgeous songwriting. And I can’t wait for this one: One in a Chameleon. The Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis. I plan to see Pretty Delusional in New York before I get to Edinburgh. Something about ‘staying sexy in the face of rejection” grabs my attention.

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