Tag Archives: EdFestivals

+3 Interview: Losing My Mindfulness

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I’ve had the chance to figure out the kinks, and hopefully avoid being upstaged by a whippet in the audience loudly drinking water during my emotional breakdown, but we’ll see!”

WHO: Katie McLeod: Performer, Writer, err terrible producer…

WHAT: “Do you want to feel calmer, more focused and relaxed? Imagine a life where daily stress just floats by like a cloud in the sky, not a rain cloud, a nice one, a fluffy one. Yeah, do you want that? You know you do, don’t you? Join me at my mindfulness workshop where we can leave our baggage behind and be in the moment, even if that moment is not quite what you thought it would be, cos hey, what is?! Sometimes that moment is f*cking terrible. I’m joking. See, mindfulness can be fun. Fun and calm.”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire – Cinema Room (Venue 338) 

WHEN: 18:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I bought the show last year. I’ve had the chance to figure out the kinks, and hopefully avoid being upstaged by a whippet in the audience loudly drinking water during my emotional breakdown, but we’ll see!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Great audience feedback has really kept the show going, as its inspired by true events people really connect with the issues, a lot of the time the audience want to hug me, which is fine too.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show and perform in it.

It’s about a woman, Serena, who runs a Mindfulness workshop whilst everything in her life falls apart. My ten-year relationship ended very suddenly, I was confused and heartbroken, my fiancé disappeared psychologically, emotionally and physically.

As a practical person I wanted to really examine what had happened and I started to look into Narcissism. I realised that I had been a victim of emotional abuse, a complex and nuanced form of control.

I wanted to write something for the friends and family of emotional abuse survivors so they see what it really looks like. In terms of the future, I would love to have a London run and I am in the process of turning it into a radio play.

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

Janey Godley, the best stand up I have ever seen. Last year I was laughing so much I was crying, and this was before the show even started as the audience came in. She is so natural and SO funny! Her stories about her childhood and her marriage are hilarious I cant recommend her enough.

Theatre Re are a physical theatre company, I saw ‘The Nature of Forgetting’ a few years back and it was PHENOMENAL so intricate, beautiful and meaningful. I’m really excited to see this show.

Anything at the Traverse!

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+3 Interview: Love is a Work in Progress with Tara Rankine

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

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” The show is all true stories from my life so is raw and honest and vulnerable while also being very ridiculous with Rockstars and feathers and cream pies and blow up props all interspersed with original songs.”

WHO: Tara Rankine: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “**** (Advertiser). ‘Tender, raunchy, uplifting, hilariously funny’ **** (GLAMAdelaide.com). ‘Experience tender moments alongside the hilarity’ **** (TheatreWeekly.com). Adelaide Fringe Weekly Cabaret Award winner Tara Rankine is raw, honest and laugh-out-loud funny. She takes you on a ridiculous yet poignant storytelling ride through past love, sex and relationships, fuelled by heartfelt soul singing, real-life embarrassments and the sensuality and pain of being human. Original songs and the most vulnerable and hilarious love stories, this endearing mess invites you to a party in her heart.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Charteris Centre – Just the Sanctum (Venue 393) 

WHEN: 20:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

First time performing in Edinburgh yes (exciting!). I worked FOH in Edinburgh back in 2016 which is when I got inspired to write my own one-woman show after seeing so many incredible female-led shows that made me laugh and cry and everything in-between.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I toured my one woman show to Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals in Feb-April this year and won an award (The Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for best Cabaret) which I guess is pretty big.

Tell us about your show.

The show is a one-woman comedy cabaret show about love, sex, relationships and heartbreak, written and performed by me with music and lyrics written by the amazing Maddie Thiele, directed by Helen Broughton with dramaturgical help from Sheri Sadd, guitar and ukulele played by Lolsy Byrne and produced by Lisa-Skye Goodes. So an all-female and non-binary team which I’m super chuffed about! The show is all true stories from my life so is raw and honest and vulnerable while also being very ridiculous with Rockstars and feathers and cream pies and blow up props all interspersed with original songs.

I was inspired to write the show after working at the fringe in 2016 where I managed to see 50 shows and was so moved and inspired I decided it was time for me to take the plunge and create my own show. So I wrote it throughout 2017, developed it in London in 2018 with a mini-season at The Space in October and then more development before taking it to The Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival earlier this year. I am hoping it might get picked up for a tour somewhere and I also want to take it to some festivals I’ve not been to before

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

Lolsy Byrne: Sweet Enough – because she’s gorgeously funny and talented and Irish, also doing her own one woman comedy cabaret show also and she is the guitar and ukulele player for my show!

Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove – the best absurd comedy you with see. Won the Golden Gibbo in MICF this year and will make you scream laugh. I am always in pain laughing when I see Josh

Two Little Dickheads – adorably stupid and silly and ridiculous. Two clowns dicking around on stage who glow with joy and are instantly loveable and oh so very silly!

After You – beautiful, touching, heartwarming and affirming. Real mother and daughter performing on stage and their story is special and made me laugh and cry in equal measure.

Leo Mohr: When I Was Zorro – because he is a fabulous clown and very silly and absurd and absolutely nails awkward humour!

Take a punt on some shows you know nothing about that someone gives you a flyer for – you might find your next favourite performers!

Lolsy Byrne: Sweet Enough – because she’s gorgeously funny and talented and Irish, also doing her own one-woman comedy cabaret show also and she is the guitar and ukulele player for my show!

Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove – the best absurd comedy you with see. Won the Golden Gibbo in MICF this year and will make you scream laugh. I am always in pain laughing when I see Josh

Two Little Dickheads – adorably stupid and silly and ridiculous. Two clowns dicking around on stage who glow with joy and are instantly loveable and oh so very silly!

After You – beautiful, touching, heartwarming and affirming. Real mother and daughter performing on stage and their story is special and made me laugh and cry in equal measure.

Leo Mohr: When I Was Zorro – because he is a fabulous clown and very silly and absurd and absolutely nails awkward humour!

Take a punt on some shows you know nothing about that someone gives you a flyer for – you might find your next favourite performers!

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+3 Interview: Yukon Ho! (Tall Tales from the Great White North)

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“Marie Kondo’d my life and now can’t find anything in my house.”

WHO: Jennifer Irons: Writer and Performer

WHAT: “Comic dance-theatre conceived and performed by Yukon born ‘Intrepid’ Jen. This is the story of Jen’s life and survival in the remote wilds of the Yukon Territory, Northern Canada… and her ultimate escape. A boisterously laugh-out-loud, cabaret-style survival guide to an unbelievably mad life in the frozen north, home to the coldest temperature ever recorded in North America, where tossing chainsaws is entertainment. Dark, fearless, original and bizarre, you’ll laugh, holler, quaff very questionable cocktails and learn to be Bear Aware. And it’s all (mostly) true… **** (List).”

WHERE: Summerhall – Bruford at Summerhall (Venue 26) 

WHEN: Varies (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope! I love this town!

I did a trial-by-fire-1-night-only work in progress last year at ZOO and the next day I directed 350 local dancers in Akram Khan Company’s Kadamati at EIF in front of the Palace of Holyrood House.

Prior to that – many, many fluid evenings as audience at Fringe and some select and QUAL-ity club nights out in my more youthful years. Shout out to the Paradise Palms who I Shazam the shit out of every time I’m there! (@edinburghpalms)

I once ‘bumped’ into Prince Charles getting out of his helicopter at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat. Much to my mother’s chagrin, who was at that exact moment was at the castle looking for him…

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I got a new SWEET new plaid shirt from home. Marie Kondo’d my life and now can’t find anything in my house. I survived a suspected heart attack… which turned out to just be a trapped nerve and then panic attack.

I directed 750 dancers in Kadamati in Paris in front of the Hotel de Ville. But the biggest thing has been turning Yukon Ho! into a full-length international production with an amazing team. I did Jill Edwards’ Stand up comedy weekender and discovered I had to actually WRITE jokes?! Who knew?

Tell us about your show.

After directing mass movement shows for the past few years, I jokingly said my next show was going to be a solo. Secretly I thought it would be easier to just manage myself… Ha. Ha! Ha.

The show was originally commissioned by DanceWest and written by myself and my long-time collaborator and partner in crime, Robert Churchill. This year, we’ve expanded the team to include Sophie Powell (Long Nose Puppets) who’s also directing. Christian From (currently Associate Movement director on Rusalka at Glyndebourne Opera and has played Aslan the Lion in more productions than is really necessary) is on movement direction, Stewart Baxter (from the band LIFE) on music. Bryony Kimmings mentoring. Annie Brooks on design. Zoe Faye Kellet on prosthetics. The team have all become honorary Yukoners now. I’d venture most of them can build a fire like Ray Mears and definitely put up a tent at Glastonbury in record time. (Note, I say Ray Mears because obvs he would kick Bear Grylls ass and then serve up a delicious brunch.) Big thanks to Brighton Youth Centre, South East Dance, and Dance House Worthing for supporting us.

We’re doing artsdepot in London in November. Then definitely world domination, one backwater tent town at a time… If you’ve got a spare air mattress, we make very polite house guests… and cook a mean brunch.

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

Loving Witchunt by A&E Comedy. Smashing the patriarchy using magic and witchcraft. It’s damned funny and smart. They did Enter the Dragons last year so know full well how to smack the Fringe pony.  Also into the Roaring Girls. Feminist, Funny doing Beach Body Ready. And they’re from Hull so it should be ace. Black Holes by Seke Chimutenguende and Alexandrina Hemsley – intelligent and sharp. Amy Bell’s – The Forecast. Next level brilliant. I’m a Phoenix, Bitch by Bryony Kimmings. It’s a heavy one – but excellently crafted and worth it. Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco. For the most legal fun I’ve ever seen on a street corner.

Ones I’m looking forward to catching:

  • Your Sexts are shit: Older Better Letters by Rachel Mars, because Sexts generally ARE shit! Why hasn’t anyone done anything about it?!
  • Honey Bee by Ellie Dillon Reams – Genuine, lovely. I’ve seen some work in progress and she’s got a fabulous talent for words.
  • Rock What you Got by House of Jack for some dance battle awesomeness.
    Scored in Silence by the cerebral and gorgeous Chisato Minamimura. Juliet and Romeo by Lost Dog. Everything they do is clever, funny, touching.
  • And will get my circus on with Kid X by the grand Bassline Circus and MHz, and Feral.
  • Isiqalo – The Beginning by Champions – LOVE that mix of traditional and contemporary South African music and dance. Sorry Harriet Tubman – Phoebe Robinson. Who doesn’t yet love 2 Dope Queens?
  • Hazy Little Thing Called Love: Paul Sinha. A quiz geek + Task Master favourite. How can you go wrong?
    Scottee: Class. OBVS.
  • Kurl up and Dye – NUTS Theatre. Anything with Yorkshire beauticians, waxing and a nod to Earth Girls are Easy — I’m into.
  • Crystal Rasmussen Presents – The Bible 2 (Plus a cure for shame, violence, betrayal and athlete’s foot) Live! – because HELL YEAH?!

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+3 Interview: Richard Stott: Right Hand Man

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“See three things a day: Something you know you’ll like: Something you think you’ll hate: Something completely chosen at random – That’s a sure-fire way to do the Fringe.”

WHO: Richard Stott: Comedian

WHAT: “A debut show from a comedian who was born with Poland Syndrome making him lopsided with a misshapen hand. Following life-changing surgery, he has toes for fingers on his left hand and in this unflinchingly honest show, he examines body image, mental health and being disabled in an image-obsessed world. An hour of anarchic storytelling and acidic punchlines exploring how he has learnt to roll with the hand life dealt him and draw humour from what we are told is humourless. ‘Heart-wrenchingly moving and unquestionably funny… I defy anyone not to be enthralled’ (Evening Standard).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 12:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is not my first rodeo. I have appeared at the fringe once before in 2017 with my first show Wretched – A Thing of Poor Quality.

The show went well and was enjoyed but that was my first time trying stand-up. So I took 2018 off the fringe to focus on getting better at my craft. I think I’m returning a lot stronger.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I really focussed on gigging and writing in 2018 and it paid off with me getting a great review in the Evening Standard.

To coolest thing last year was bringing my show back home as I was booked by Hull Truck Theatre. What followed was a euphoric homecoming to a packed audience. That was the night I knew I was getting something right.

Tell us about your show.

The show is having its full premiere at Edinburgh, it’s also my debut hour. The show is written by me as I draw on autobiographical stories to jump into present-day social commentary.

The show is a comedy which focuses on disability and mental health, two awkward subjects that I think we could do with laughing about a bit more. It’s anarchic storytelling with acidic punchlines and a lot of heart.

My agent Andrew Roach has been a tremendous help in terms of getting me surrounded by the right people. I’m working closely with Rob Deering who is directing and Martin Jameson who looking at the overall arch of the script.

After Edinburgh, I’d love to turn this into a tour of the UK.

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

Here are my top recommendations
Karen Hobbs in Pussies
Rob Deering’s Beat That
Sam Lake – Household Essentials
Georgie Morrell – Eyecon

But this is a fun game to play. See three things a day
– Something you know you’ll like
– Something you think you’ll hate
– Something completely chosen at random

That’s a sure-fire way to do the Fringe.

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+3 Interview: Juliette Burton: Defined

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“I also moved to Edinburgh (cos I couldn’t get enough of that place) in 2012 and lived there for 4 years. So if you need recommendations for bars and restaurants – I’m your girl.”

WHO: Juliette Burton: writer/performer/creator/comedian/edfringe addict

WHAT: “Award-winning comedian Juliette is full of contradictions: pessimistic optimist? Introverted extrovert? Successful failure? Masculine or feminine? Happy or sad? Mentally ill or healthy? Why must we choose one or the other? After a year of huge change, Juliette had to redefine her life, labels and herself. Everything she thought was steadfast has vanished. Can she be everything at once? Or must we choose how we are defined? Sold out 2015/16/17/18. ‘Burton drips with charm – joyous’ (Times). ‘Burton shows the world it’s cool to be kind’ ***** (Sunday Mail). ***** (Daily Mirror). ***** (EdFestMag.com).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsmans (Venue 149) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Hahaha! Oh Lord no… My first Edinburgh Fringe VISIT was in 2005 and I fell head over heels for the city and the festival and never looked back. Started performing in other people’s shows in 2006, then in a co-written show in 2011/12, then my first ever solo show was in 2013. I’ve performed solo shows every year since 2013 and sold out my runs in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. I also moved to Edinburgh (cos I couldn’t get enough of that place) in 2012 and lived there for 4 years. So if you need recommendations for bars and restaurants – I’m your girl.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Ooh, let’s think… Professionally: I embarked on my first national tour of my award-winning sell out Edfringe show ‘Butterfly Effect’ and had a total blast. I think I’m in love with touring now. Personally: fun story – my fiancé and I broke up, he moved out, I moved out, I downsized and relocated and started to question how I defined myself now I was no longer “engaged”… It’s all in my show this year – questioning the boxes we force ourselves into and the labels we use to find our tribes. So come join me in my show ‘Defined’.

Tell us about your show.

‘Juliette Burton: Defined’ is about how we define ourselves; the labels we use, the boxes we tick, the either/or choices we make. Optimist or pessimist? Introvert or extrovert? Happy or sad? Is life a series of either/or choices? Or can we be everything all at once?

It’s a true comedy about what happened during a year of huge change for me, when everything I thought was steadfast vanished and I was forced to redefine who I am and how I label myself. It’s the funniest show I’ve ever created and the one I’ve had the MOST fun performing. I’m so excited to see how audiences respond because so far I’ve been having the best time previewing it.

I came up with the idea in 2018, actually following seeing SpongeBob Squarepants The Musical in New York and watching a TED Talk by the creator about an episode called Idiot Box. Search for it online and watch – it’s brilliant and she’s brilliant. I started writing the show partially whilst on tour in autumn 2018, then a lot over December 2018, then bringing it all together in March and April, tearing it apart in May, rewriting it in June, and refining it constantly throughout July.

I’m hoping to take this show on another tour in Spring 2020 but for now the only place you can see it for certain is Edinburgh Fringe 2019 and since we sold out in Edinburgh for the last 4 years in a row it’s worth booking tickets now…

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

As many shows as you can. I’d personally recommend Bec Hill – whose show I saw last year and it’s the best she’s ever done. If it doesn’t win awards I’ll be shocked. Georgie Morrell is a phenomenal stand up and her sass will blow you away. Sooz Kempner is ridiculously talented, going to be huge and is on at a free fringe venue. Also Tarot (aka Geins Family Giftshop) is highly recommended, Austentatious is always a sure-fire hit, the immensely talented Kiri Pritchard Mclean has a work in progress show for a short run, and Laura Lexx will without a doubt delight you for her hour.

Take a chance and see stuff you’d not normally see. I mean, I love watching circus acts at the Fringe because I can just sit back relax and enjoy knowing that I’d never be able to master that craft. I can switch off my comedian’s mind for a while!

But beyond shows, see Edinburgh. See the city. It’s the most amazing place with incredible architecture and history and landscapes and folklore and bars and people… I adore it so make the most of the whole of Edinburgh as well as the festival

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+3 Interview: Tom Taylor: Is the Indie Feel-Good Hit of the Summer

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“…this hour has been pretty all-consuming and it’s certainly the hardest I’ve worked on something since I built a shed for my A-level art exam (it was a very conceptual piece).”

WHO: Tom Taylor: Comedian

WHAT: “From the maker of sell-out Fringe hit: The Charlie Montague Mysteries; tour support for Ed Sheeran’s tour support, Tom Taylor, stars in his debut stand-up show packed full of jokes, songs and silliness. As heard on BBC Radio 4. Musical Comedy Awards Audience Favourite winner. English Comedian of the Year and So You Think You’re Funny? finalist. Other tour support for Simon Munnery, John Kearns and Abandoman. ‘Excellent… beautifully daft’ (Sunday Times). ‘An absolute delight’ **** (Skinny). ‘Gloriously silly’ **** (Stage). ‘Astoundingly funny’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘A masterpiece’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes and no (mainly no). I first came to the Fringe in 2013 sharing an hour of stand-up with some friends (including Fern Brady and Glenn Moore who I believe are still knocking about). Then I wrote and performed two one-man murder mysteries in 2016 and 2017 which were a lot of fun and something I’d definitely like to do again. This year is my first time bringing up an hour of stand-up so, although I’ve got a few Edinburghs under my belt, I still have the first-time nerves!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I have written a show! That sounds insincere but putting together this hour has been pretty all-consuming and it’s certainly the hardest I’ve worked on something since I built a shed for my A-level art exam (it was a very conceptual piece). I also got to perform stand-up internationally for the first time. I went to Bucharest in November and discovered they don’t play golf in Romania so that routine fell very flat. It’s all a learning curve.

Tell us about your show.

My show is a collection of jokes and songs with a bit of silliness thrown in. There are no great themes or an overarching story I just want people to come and laugh for an hour. It’s all material I’ve honed at comedy clubs up and down the country as part of my job (stand-up comedian) so I’d like to think the jokes are good otherwise I would be out of work. Feel-good is the keyword in the title. I want people to leave feeling good.

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

Jen Brister and Lou Sanders delivered my two favourite stand-up shows at last year’s Festival and they’re both back with new hours this year so I’ll definitely be checking them out and I would recommend others to do the same. They’re both at Monkey Barrel which has loads of great stuff going on, deffo checkout everything they have to offer.

Another favourite from last year was The Ladder, a very funny theatrical two-hander from husband and wife Rob Rouse and Helen Rutter. They’re back again this year with Funny in Real Life which looks at the effect confessional comedy can have on a relationship. It’s a great concept and I can’t wait to see it!

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+3 Interview: Super Hugh-Man

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“I have a few festivals booked for when I get home but I have massive dreams to tour internationally, sharing this uniquely Kiwi story.”

WHO: Rutene Spooner: Actor, Writer

WHAT: “A Maori boy’s musical about his Hollywood hero. An award-winning solo cabaret following the personal journey of a young Maori boy wanting to fit into a world he has no blueprint for. After discovering his hero Hugh Jackman’s secret identity, he comes to realise that it’s okay to be a different kind of man – that he can be strong and sensitive, he can haka and high kick, he can be fierce and fabulous. A shamelessly charming and heartfelt story, intricately weaving together comedy, storytelling, dance, song and Maori cultural/performing arts into a stunning cabaret experience.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Three (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 12:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my second time playing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I came over in 2017 with The Modern Māori Quartet and literally fell in love with the festival. True story. I got home after the festival and declared – YES DECLARED – that anyone working in the arts MUST visit the festival some point in their life. It’s a long way from NZ but I’m back this year, again with The Modern Māori Quartet but also, with my own solo show which I’m super stoked about.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Well, I was set to return to the festival in 2018 with the Modern Māori Quartet (this being their third year performing at the festival) but I landed a contract in the musical Jerseys Boys in Australia. So you could say that was the biggest thing that happened to me sings 2018 fest.

Tell us about your show.

Well, funny thing is, I wrote this show in 2017 straight AFTER my first visit to the festival. I returned home so inspired that I wrote a show, It played as part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, it toured, it got great reviews, and even awards and now, well here we are! We’ve come full circle you could say. My director, Jennifer Ward-Lealand CNZM, a well respected veteran of the Arts and President of the NZ Actors Equity has been with me from the start and I am currently being produced by the powerhouse company that is SquareSums and Co. I have a few festivals booked for when I get home but I have massive dreams to tour internationally, sharing this uniquely Kiwi story.

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

Of course, I’m going to steer audiences more towards New Zealand works. For a small country, we have some great exports and the festival has helped catapult some great NZ made art. Remember Flight Of The Concords? they’re kiwi, they also played the festival for years. This year we have a great contingent of kiwi comedians returning to the fest. As well as my mates at Trick Of The Light theatre co and Slightly Isolated Dog who continue to bring great kiwi work to the world stage. But OF COURSE I’m going to say, come and see ME, AGAIN, join the Modern Māori Quartet in their theatre show “Two worlds”.

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+3 Interview: John Pendal: Monster

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“I was asked to go to Pinewood Studios for a very small part in a very big film. Someone on the crew remembered me from “Assassin’s Creed”, when I spent a week tying Michael Fassbender to a table to be put to death.”

WHO: John Pendal: Writer & performer

WHAT: “The critically acclaimed storyteller and stand-up comedian returns with a show about sex and sexuality, which laughs in the face of shame and guilt. Monster is aimed at anyone struggling to feel good about themselves. Since beginning his career in stand-up comedy in 2010, John has performed around the world. His first three shows went on to tour Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Oslo and Rome. ‘An absolute cracker… Fringe brilliance’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Hilarious… Definitely not to be missed’ **** (VoiceMag.uk).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Turret (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 19:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 6th Edinburgh fringe and my 4th performing a solo show for the whole run. I love the fringe – where else can you see so many great comedians all in one place and eat the best hog roast in the country? (www.oinkhogroast.co.uk if you’re interested.)

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I was asked to go to Pinewood Studios for a very small part in a very big film. Someone on the crew remembered me from “Assassin’s Creed”, when I spent a week tying Michael Fassbender to a table to be put to death. I’m not allowed to tell you anything about the movie but I will be going to see it next year to find out if I made the final cut.

Tell us about your show.

It’s called “Monster” and it’s a comedy show about all the things that keep me awake at night with a sense of guilt and shame – with the aim of making audiences feel better about themselves. I wrote it and perform it, although I’m indebted to everyone who came to a preview and gave me feedback – so it feels like a real team effort.

The shows are accessible to people who are “socially anxious”, so I don’t pick on the audience. If you leave during the show I won’t make fun of you – and there’s no audience participation beyond laughter and applause.

It’s been tried out around the UK plus Atlanta and West Palm Beach, Florida. Edinburgh is the first official run of the show. After that I’m hoping to take it to more audiences abroad as my previous shows have gone to America, Canada, Melbourne, Oslo and Rome. I’m always open to offers to go somewhere new!

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

Definitely “Jen Brister – Under Privilege” at Monkey Barrel. Each time Jen brings a show to Edinburgh I see it three times over the month to keep me going. I have to sit at the back so it doesn’t look like I’m stalking her.

I’ll be going to see “Laura Lexx: Knee Jerk” at Gilded Balloon – Teviot. She is delightfully funny and always makes me cry with laughter.

And “Zoe Lyons: Entry Level Human”, also at Gilded Balloon – Teviot at 9pm. Star of Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, just brilliant.

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+3 Interview: The Three Deaths of Ebony Black

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I have a deep love for mushrooms, of all varieties. This comes after 26 years of thinking they’re disgusting. Now I’m all about them. Oyster, enoki, shimeji, shiitake. They’re all so good!”

WHO: Amberly Cull: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “A critically acclaimed puppet musical, inspired by a neuroscientist. ‘There are three deaths: the first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time’. Described as Death at a Funeral meets The Muppets, this intimate spectacle is as impressive as it is tender… with songs and vomiting puppets to boot! Three acts, ten puppets, one corpse. An unforgettable farce and a love letter to lives well lived.”

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

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s our first time! Our first time in Scotland, our first time in Edinburgh, our first time at the festival, and the first chance I’ve had to actually meet my Scottish pen-pal of many many years. I’m so excited to get rained out in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Well, almost ready. I definitely need to invest in some rain pants.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Well lots. I just spent 100 days being a dinosaur for Earth’s giant puppets at Melbourne Zoo (they’re gonna be in Edinburgh too!). So that was huge and fun and a constant workout. I also realised I have a deep love for mushrooms, of all varieties. This comes after 26 years of thinking they’re disgusting. Now I’m all about them. Oyster, enoki, shimeji, shiitake. They’re all so good!

Tell us about your show.

The title makes it sound more serious than it is. It’s a comedy, with puppets, made for adults… about death.

We’ve performed the show at FringeWorld in Perth, Australia, two years running, and we did an independent season in Melbourne.

I wrote the script, and my friend Robert Woods wrote the score (which includes a few bangin’ songs we get the puppets to sing). Then I cast Perth darling, Nick Pages-Oliver to perform alongside me. He is my perfect foil, and great with the puppetry and the irreverent, relentless repartee.

We got a hot tip from some seasoned Fringe friends, and were so lucky to get Lee Martin of Gag Reflex onboard to produce our debut Edinburgh season.

It’s a really sweet show, but mostly it’s silly and wild and feels super loose, like a rickety rollercoaster. But everyone is safe, and it’s just quite joyous, and we want to bring everyone in to share the joy.

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

We know a few people from Australia who are doing good shows. Louisa Fitzhardinge is one of my best friends, and she has an incredible cabaret about grammar called Comma Sutra, which is making its Edinburgh debut. We have some musical friends who made Switch Witchetty’s Almanac of Everything, which is making its everywhere debut. And Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo will be incredible of course. We might know some other Aussie artists who are going and we don’t know they’re going yet.

But really, I hope you’ll consider seeing something you know nothing about, from people who are new to Edinburgh. Like us, sure. But like lots of other emerging artists too, who are making great things, and just need punters to take a chance on them. I hope you’ll take more chances after seeing our show!

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+3 Interview: Brendan Galileo for Europe

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“In many ways the explosion of ideas an energy that people experience at the Fringe is what fuels the other eleven months of the year, for artists and audience alike.”

WHO: Fionn Foley: Writer and Performer

WHAT: “Brendan Galileo is determined to make his mark on Irish political life and save the local school of music from being converted into apartments for racehorses, by joining the ranks of the European Parliament. However, with his voice so lost in a sea of tribal bureaucracy, he must take drastic action to improve his public profile. He must represent his country in the most vicious diplomatic catfight on the continent, the Eurovision Song Contest. A hilarious multi award-winning new play by Fionn Foley about keeping your integrity at the world’s foremost convention of kitsch.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Five (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 13:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my first time performing at the Fringe, though I have been to Edinburgh a number of times- and at the Fringe. It really is one of the most joyous, eclectic and continually surprising places on the planet. In many ways the explosion of ideas an energy that people experience at the Fringe is what fuels the other eleven months of the year, for artists and audience alike.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I suppose what’s been particularly exciting is that when I attended the festival last year, the idea for Brendan Galileo for Europe was quietly percolating away. It’s an excellent place to be when you have the nucleus of a show in your head because inevitably to begin to pick up little fragments of inspiration or think about things in a different way. Like a wet dog running wildly through a hayfield, you come back with covered in bits of the experience scattered everywhere. So if you see a guy running around Princes Street covered in hay, that’s me trying to justify this allegory.

Tell us about your show.

I am the writer and performer of Brendan Galileo for Europe. We have a great team on board consisting of director Jeda de Brí, Stage Manager Sinéad Purcell and Producer and Lighting Designer David Doyle. The show was a big hit in Dublin Fringe Festival 2018, where it picked up two awards, and we’ve just finished a National Tour of Ireland. We’re really excited to take it to Assembly and think it’ll go down really well with audiences who are looking for something energetic and zany, but who also appreciate political satire and a healthy injection of musical comedy. With audience reactions as overwhelmingly positive as they have been, we hope the show will have a long life at home and abroad. It’s always a thrill to perform and we predict it will really feel at home in Edinburgh.

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

They might need a bit of a rest briefly straight after- I certainly will as it’s a really high tempo performance. But I can definitely recommend some other brilliant shows that will also be Edinburgh-bound. Sarah-Jane Scott’s Appropriate at Summerhall is an absolute gem, as is Xnthony’s Confirmation at Pleasance. I’m personally very excited to see A Holy Show (Pleasance) and Tommy Tiernan at the Gilded Balloon. I also caught Electrolyte (Pleasance) recently, which you’d be mad to miss.

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