Tag Archives: Bristo Square

+3 Interview: Joe Sutherland: Toxic

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“It’s me doing my funny talking words for 55 minutes. It’s about gender, masculinity, my grandma, the Midlands and the Spice Girls.”

WHO: Joe Sutherland, Star

WHAT: “Masculinity – isn’t it, like, over? Or are there new ways to model manliness? Growing up Joe felt less like a boy, more like a Spice Girl. Now he’s sort of grown up, and technically a man. This is a show about embracing girl power to create your own brand of manhood. ‘Richly entertaining’ **** (ScotsGay.co.uk). ‘An engaging hour of stand-up with an important message and many laughs to be had’ **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ‘So much originality’ **** (VoiceMag.uk). ‘Oozing star power from every pore’ (Mirror). ‘Edgy and unpredictable’ (ToDoList.org.uk). ‘Definitely one to watch’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 20:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, this is my second solo show, and I’ve been coming to the Fringe for pretty much my whole life, so a good 59 years now. I know, I look good. I’ll have to show you the painting in my attic at some point.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I decided to consider veganism which means I’ve had to cut out Frazzles, so I’d appreciate some privacy at this difficult time of transition in my life.

Tell us about your show.

It’s me doing my funny talking words for 55 minutes. It’s about gender, masculinity, my grandma, the Midlands and the Spice Girls.

I was very lucky this year to have direction from the fab Jess Fostekew and production support from the top lads that are United Agents.

You see what I’ve done here is used ‘lads’ ironically because the team is, in fact, entirely female. How edgy of me.

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

Their own reflection in a toilet mirror in a portacabin as they take a deep breath and ask themselves, “what now? How could it possibly get any better?”

Oh and Sarah Keyworth, Harriet Kemsley, Sophie Duker & Lulu Popplewell (Duke Pop) and Mawaan Rizwan. Top lads.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Ashley Blaker: Observant Jew

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“I have just finished a five-week run Off Broadway in New York.”

WHO: Ashley Blaker, Performer

WHAT: “Ashley Blaker isn’t your average Orthodox Jewish man. He’s also an internationally acclaimed comedian and now, for the first time, is performing a show for us gentiles, direct from his off-Broadway run. How did a secular Jewish comedy producer end up becoming ultra-orthodox? How does he live between two very different worlds? As heard on BBC Radio 4. ‘Has audiences on the floor’ (Jerusalem Post). ‘Relentlessly funny… Blaker brings something totally unprecedented to stand-up’ (Jewish Chronicle). ‘A wittier man than I’ll ever be’ (Matt Lucas, Little Me).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Daisy (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I came to Edinburgh as a punter in both 1992 and 1993. I then came several times as a TV producer looking for talent for different show. This is my first time though as a performer.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

The last year has been incredible. I have performed shows in South Africa, Israel and Canada; made my first BBC Radio 4 show; and I have just finished a five-week run Off Broadway in New York. Coming to Edinburgh to perform my debut show will be an equally exciting experience.

Tell us about your show.

The show is about how I went from being a secular Jewish TV producer to being strictly orthodox and not even owning a TV (it’s forbidden!). And considering how crazy my life is now, hopefully I’ll be able to explain why on earth I still do it. This is the show’s premier apart from three previews in July so it is completely unchartered territory for me. As for where it will go next, that really does depend on how it goes down I guess. Maybe I will retreat back home and not want to come out for a few months! Ideally, I’d like to tour an extended version of the show around the UK at some point soon.

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

It will all be a let down thereafter so maybe they just need to stick to the Tattoo. I do love Keiran Hodgson though and Max and Ivan are peerless when it comes to sketch comedy. I am sure both of those shows will be amazing. However, if I am wrong, please don’t come to me asking for your money back. That’s not how this works.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Tori Scott Is #Thirsty

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“I’m thrilled to be making my debut and can’t wait to explore Edinburgh.”

WHO: Tori Scott, Perfomer

WHAT: “Celebrating poor life choices and an unconditional love of vodka, direct from New York City. This Garland for the Grindr era is ‘a force to be reckoned with’ (BroadwayWorld.com), desperate to escape Trumpland and be let loose on Scotland! Join Tori and her band The Shame Spirals on an audacious musical journey of slurred autobiographical stories and songs she stole from other people. Set to the music of Lady Gaga, Queen, Edith Piaf, Pink and more. You’re in for ‘an absolute thrill’ (HuffingtonPost.com). ‘Sheer delight… what a marvel’ ***** (BritishTheatre.com).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – The Dairy Room (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 22:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is!! First Fringe and first time in Scotland! I’m thrilled to be making my debut and can’t wait to explore Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

#Thirsty is an hour of sassy commentary celebrating bad decisions and my unconditional love of vodka. Mixed in with the stories are songs I stole from other people like Lady Gaga, Queen, even Judy Garland. I wrote the show based on personal experiences and, with the help of my wonderful music director Jesse Kissel and my fabulous director Seth Sklar-Heyn, we created a really great shameless musical journey of poor life choices. #Thirsty is produced by Robin Rayner in association with Steve Richardson and Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. I’ve been working with Jesse and Seth for the past 6 years since I began doing my shows at Joe’s Pub in New York. I began working with Robin Rayner last year and we premiered a very early version of this at The Vault Festival in London. It’s changed quite a bit since that run and we are really thrilled to show it to an Edinburgh audience. After Edinburgh, we will do a one night only performance of it at Live at Zedel at the Brasserie Zedel in London on August 29th. And after that, I would love to take it on tour!

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

I’m really looking forward to seeing fellow Joe’s Pub performer and New Yorker Murray Hill’s show at the Gilded Balloon. I’m also excited to see Velma Celli and The Worst Little Warehouse in London at Assembly. And you don’t want to miss the most charming magician, Tom Brace, in his magic show over at the Pleasance Courtyard.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Athena Kugblenu: Follow the Leader

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“I spent 18 months having a go at Trump and Brexit supporters but then I flooded my kitchen in the stupidest way and I thought to myself ‘I’m an idiot too.”

WHO: Athena Kugblenu, Performer

WHAT: “On a hovercraft, no one can hear you bark… Fringe legend and Olivier Award winner Guy Masterson’s uproarious tales of woe, a dog and transcontinental wedlock. The dog came with a package… it could not be abandoned in Paris, and the next eight years tested everything: marriage, career and sanity. A tormented, often hysterical life of poo, piss and pooches.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Clover (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I have been going to Edinburgh for years. I went for a few years as a new comedian and checked out all the venues and nice places to eat. Satisfied I knew where to get a good feed I could afford, last year I took up my debut hour and this year I am bringing up my second hour!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I recorded an episode of Museum of Curiosity last month. That was incredible, trying to keep my cool with Lee Mack to my left and John Lloyd to my right.

Tell us about your show.

It’s called Follow the Leader. It’s called Follow the Leader because I think at this point in history in the western world at least, we have the worst leaders. We don’t even have good people to replace them with. But then maybe it’s a reflection of this point in history just having the worst people – so our leaders are the best of a bad bunch. I wrote the show because I spent 18 months having a go at Trump and Brexit supporters but then I flooded my kitchen in the stupidest way and I thought to myself ‘I’m an idiot too. Some people vote for despots. Others ruin their laminate. Swings and roundabouts’. I wrote it and I’m working with So Comedy and Broken Robot productions to bring it to Edinburgh. Afterwards, I’ll be giving birth but maybe I will perform it in 2019, if I can find a baby friendly green room.

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

They should check out Sindhu Vee, Eleanor Tiernan, Kemah Bob, Kwame Asante and someone else they have never heard of – it’s important to take a gamble when up in Edinburgh. I also saw some good plays last year so definitely venture away from stand up, otherwise you will run out of laughter.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Chris Henry: Around the World in 80 Dates

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“Up until this point, I’ve remained under the radar doing shows at the Laughing Horse Free Festival, which has been great for working on my craft and putting pennies in my pocket, but this year I have my sights set on bigger goals.”

WHO: Chris Henry, Performer/Comedian

WHAT: “Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist Chris Henry is back to take you on a whirlwind global gigglefest as he attempts to find The One. After sold-out, award-nominated performances around the world, this 40-year-old bachelor delivers the ultimate anti rom-com by hilariously dissecting our favourite cliches with razor-sharp stand-up, replacing them with 80 dates he hopes will take him from reformed playboy to the perfect husband. Prepare for a blind date like no other.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Clover (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 20:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

The first time I did my own show in Edinburgh was 2009 and the first show happened the day after a particularly gruesome break up that features heavily in this years show. Up until this point, I’ve remained under the radar doing shows at the Laughing Horse Free Festival, which has been great for working on my craft and putting pennies in my pocket, but this year I have my sights set on bigger goals. I have a big show, and I want it to go to big places (all this use of “big” is starting to make me think I’m overcompensating too). I’m unbelievably excited to be working with the Underbelly.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

That’s a tough one, I’ve sold out shows in the UK, Australia, Singapore, The Philippines & Thailand. But the biggest thing that’s happened to me is either the realisation that brought me to the idea for the show, or the fact last week I decided to walk the West Highland Way for three different charities, ROHHAD Association, Epilepsy Scotland & MND Scotland, and raised nearly £2000 by walking 96 miles. Not quite the same as The Proclaimers song. I like to tell people it’s because my life is so much fun and I wanted to give back to something I believed in, but the truth of the matter is that I turn 40 at the end of July and I think it was a little bit of a mid-life crisis.

Tell us about your show.

The show is all about my disastrous love life and how the dating world has changed dramatically in the last decade. With a healthy dose of self reflection it also delves in to why I’ve been single for 9 years, and what I’m doing to change that. It’s honest, heartfelt and the funniest thing I’ve ever written.

It’s been produced by Natalie Allison who is the only person I’ve ever met who can make me even more excited about my own projects. She’s been invaluable in helping me take all my brain babies and helping nurture them in to mature funnies.

My aim is to take it to as many international fringe and comedy festivals I can find around the world. I have my heart set on a European tour in autumn/winter, then Australia in January till April, New Zealand then hopefully Canada, America, South Africa and anywhere else that wants to hear my tales.

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

Ray Bradshaw is bringing his show ‘Comedy Def Fam’ back for a limited run, if you missed it last year definitely check that out as it’s my favourite thing I’ve ever seen at a Fringe. Others you should definitely check out are Stephen Bailey, Ashley Storrie, Chris Forbes, Fannys @ Five, Janey Godley, The Master that is Stephen Buchanan, Jesus L’Oreal Nailed It – there is a massive list that I’d recommend. I always put a full list of recommendations up on my website or Facebook just before the Fringe starts.

Two top tips for choosing shows. Stop and speak to flyerers, ask them which shows they’d recommend other than the one they are selling, do that a few times and you’ll hear some names getting repeated which is always a good sign. Also, don’t go to any show that has more than one A at the start of the title, they’ve done this to get to the start of the brochure and if that’s as good as their imagination for the title gets, there isn’t much hope for the show.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!