Tag Archives: EdFringe

EdFringe Talk: Love’s a Beach

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The beanbags in our show are farcically big.”

WHO: William Johnston

WHAT: “What happens six months after your five minutes of fame? Cyrus and Ben are the first gay winners of TV’s biggest reality show. They’re 22, have thousands of followers, but now spend most of their days making sponsored content about dog food, and fronting campaigns about adult incontinence. When they’re offered an influencing deal in Dubai, the couple must decide how far they’ll go to cling to celebrity… and at what cost. A smash-hit satire by multi award-winning comedy writers for Netflix and BBC Television. ‘Fantastic play… had me howling with laughter’ (BroadwayWorld.com), from BAFTA-winning Unusual Productions.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 12:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time at Edinburgh Fringe. From what I’ve heard it’s pretty straight forward? You just go up there with a show, it has a sold-out run, you make a tidy profit while simultaneously receiving glistening reviews, you make friends for life, form core, joyous memories, and maybe even meet the life partner of your dreams, then soon after comes the storm of industry buzz around your show, usually resulting in a major television network commissioning you two full series, that when they air, quickly become the perfect balance of cult classic and commercial success. I think that’s how it goes. I mean, we’d settle with the one series.

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

We were incredibly fortunate to have our play (Love’s a Beach, Pleasance Baby Grand, @ 12:45pm, shameless promotion, sorry) performed at Soho Theatre as part of their “Rising” programme. It was an incredible experience and a dream for us all. And we learned so much from it too, namely, the beanbags in our show are farcically big and a plague to carry on the Northen line at rush hour. A lesson which maybe didn’t sink in quite as we hoped, as we will be on the 8am Lumo train to Edinburgh in two weeks time, with said oversized beanbags on our laps for five hours.

Tell us about your show.

Katie Sayer and myself co-wrote the play, after seeing an article about an ex Love Island contestant cutting the ribbon on a kebab shop in Coventry. It screamed two things to us: 1) an opportunity to write a satirical play about our influencer culture, and 2) we should go on a night out in Coventry and try the kebab. We are thrilled to be being produced by the incredible Unusual Productions. And for future performances post-Fringe, as long as we can get the beanbags there, we’ll put on a show for you.

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

First, you should go and see SORRY (I BROKE YOUR ARMS AND LEGS), at Bunker Three, the character comedy show by James Akka, one of the co-leads of Love’s a Beach. The play is about a school boy and his merciless climb up the school ranks, to the coveted position of Head Boy. We went to see a workshop of the play earlier this year and cannot wait to see the full hour.

A viewing of that should swiftly be followed by a trip to DANISH Ed Fringe, our roomies for the month of Fringe! They have four incredible shows going up, but I’m most excited by Mass Effect. It’s a show of movement and passion, and something different to sink the teeth into at Fringe.

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EdFringe Talk: Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“YES, this is my first time in Edinburgh! I am certainly terrified and have felt the urge to throw up several times today. But more than that, I am rife with excitement.”

WHO: Isabel Renner

WHAT: “Shy people, you there? This hilarious and tender tale follows Shy Girl’s ambitious attempt to open up (emotionally, spiritually, uh… physically) in hopes of expanding her social life beyond the feeble realm of her imaginary friends and finding real human connection. Following sold-out, highly-beloved runs in NYC, Wyld Woman (written/performed by Isabel Renner, directed by Cameron King) is officially joining the ranks of international legendhood. ‘A great triumph over shyness’ and ‘a powerful catharsis for anyone who has ever crossed the street just to avoid someone they know.’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Drawing Room (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time! But I promise I won’t get clingy and text you 82 times a day. I’m not that kind of virgin.

Sorry, that was weird. Starting over.

YES, this is my first time in Edinburgh! I am certainly terrified and have felt the urge to throw up several times today. But more than that, I am rife with excitement – to meet so many other artists, to get inspired by their work, to become dear friends with all of them (oh how I pray). I have never taken part in a festival like this before, but I cannot think of a better place to put on a solo show. It can be quite lonely and vulnerable to be up on stage all by my lonesome, but there are going to be so many people doing the exact same thing. And that pure feeling of camaraderie is all I could ever dream of!

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

After some deep thought and honest reflection, I’ve narrowed my lessons of 2023 down to the most impactful ones:

1. If a crush says they don’t like you back, they’re probably not going to change their mind (even if you get a new wardrobe and personality). Have not absorbed. Will keep trying.

2. Best to always wear headphones so people will just think you’re on the phone when you’re talking to yourself on the street (having imaginary arguments, imaginary marriage proposals, etc.). Have absorbed for the most part. Sometimes I still forget to put them on and make a fool of myself.

3. Toothpaste can be a great acne remedy. Have absorbed. Will be bringing extra to Edinburgh (just in case it’s out of stock).

Tell us about your show.

Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl is a solo show, written and performed by Isabel Renner (that’s me, hi), and directed by Cameron King. It tells the story of Shy Girl, profoundly timid but desperate to be cool, as she attempts to open up enough to make actual friends and find an actual boyfriend and lose her actual virginity, as most of her life until now has been limited to the imaginary realm. She wants more than anything to become a “legend” (AKA a very cool person), but her lack of social skills and excess of sexual ineptitude prove to be quite tricky adversaries.

Alongside beautiful and brazen Cameron (and my beautiful/brazen-in-training self), the team is comprised of absolute legends. We have the hottest DJ in all of NYC, “SHAUNIE”, as the perfect antidote to my uh… awkward energy, and the show is produced by Robin Aren and Sheer Figman, two powerful and precious women who teach me how to be an adult. We have spent over a year workshopping the show in different, often bizarre New York venues (including a stint in the basement of a taco restaurant). But we have been dreaming of taking it to the Fringe all along. I am so new to all of this (doing a solo show, going to Edinburgh, having friends), but this team has been lifting me up throughout the entire process. And that is really the whole point of Wyld Woman – to celebrate the most precious treasure on earth: real human connection!

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

– Abrasion. A dark comedy (written/starring Meg-Rose Dixon) that highlights the inadequacies that are so frequent in gynecological care. This is so important!

– Barbaren Barbies: A Wild Woman Circus. Wild. Woman. Circus. Need I say more?

– Character Flaw. A solo show legend (Philippa Dawson) joyously and smartly exploring the deeply personal worlds of ADHD and queer identity.

– HYPER. Hyperpop and live vocal modulation and trans identity. Literally see you there.

– Ladies Who Ranch. Epic improv from some LEGEND Brooklyn-based comedians. A friend group I yearn to be a part of. (Us Wyld Women are also Brooklyn-based, so we can hang out in Edinburgh or back home or both please!).

– Maeve Press: Failure Confetti. Another Assembly legend who will be unboxing 17 years worth of special education observation reports written about her. Count me in.

– Main Character Energy. I have heard literally nothing but amazingness about this show and the genius that is Temi Wilkey. So ready to give her all the attention she deeply deserves!

– no no no please no god no, nevermind i’m fine. Life after an LSD trip. Sarina Freda is both hilarious and wise. I’ve met her only once and have already decided she’ll be the maid of honor at my wedding.

– PALS. Friendship? A camping trip? Crude women? Just hoping I can join the crew!

– Serious Theatre from Serious People. As a former acting school student (cult member), I am so looking forward to this one.

– Weather Girl. Billed as “a dizzying rampage into the soul of American strangeness” with talk of wildfires and prosecco. Um yeah… I need this.

– Yoga with Jillian. Your chakras will align themselves from laughter. A Goop-era necessity.

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EdFringe Talk: SILENCE! The Musical – The Unauthorised Parody of The Silence of the Lambs

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The huge challenge of Edfringe is probably a big part of what makes it such an amazing and satisfying experience overall.”

WHO: Mark Oxtoby

WHAT: “SILENCE! The Musical is the unauthorised musical parody of the Academy Award-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. As rookie FBI agent Clarice matches wits with the brilliant but insane Dr Hannibal Lecter to catch the serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill, a chorus of singing lambs breaks out into show tunes about the most horrific of subjects. Complete with singing serial killers, songs with unprintable titles and a chorus of lambs, SILENCE! the Musical comes charging at you with gleefully unstoppable bad taste.”

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

WHEN: 23:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

First time at the Festival and honestly, I cannot wait to soak up the atmosphere and experience so many different forms of entertainment in one place. Many moons ago, I tried my hand at stand-up comedy and I even ended up getting paid to do it! But I never quite made it to Edinburgh. So, I’m very excited to finally be getting here and with this awesome production of SILENCE! The Musical at the Underbelly, Bistro Square. N.B Although not the festival, I have actually visited Edinburgh before….and LOVED IT!

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

I guess you are referring to lessons learned from the 2023 Edinburgh Festival? So can’t really answer that. If not…err….I learned I’m, a year older, the world is mad and my knees hurt.

Tell us about your show.

SILENCE! The Musical, originally started it’s fringe journey in 2005 off-Broadway, as part of the New York International Fringe Festival where it walked away with the ‘Outstanding Musical’ Award. With music & lyrics by the stupendous John & Al Kaplan and a ridiculously funny book by Hunter Bell, it’s produced by the brilliant – Paul Taylor-Mills, who is always at the forefront of fantastic and exciting new theatre, along with the equally brilliant – Victoria Lang, who has just won the Tony Award for her production of Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway. And if all of that wasn’t enough… our wonderful director and choreographer is the fabulous Christopher Gattelli, whose previous work includes the Wonka movie – starring Timothée Chalamet; Shimgadoon! on Apple TV+ and arriving on Broadway (NYC) later this year – Death Becomes Her – The Musical! Incredible right?! So, the cast… Wow! Let me tell you about the cast… It’s made up of an ensemble cast of 10 people – all of whom had to do a lot of jumping, through a lot of hoops for their various roles and let me tell you, they are all just AMAZING! Hysterically funny, brilliant vocals… I could go on. I’m sure they’d all like me too?!

Anyway, this 2024 production, will start it’s run at the Norwich Theatre Playhouse 24-27 July and after the Edinburgh Festival, it runs at the Turbine Theatre in London from 4th -28th Sept 2024.

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

Our audiences should try and see as much as they can, but for starters, my top tips would be to start with two of the Fringe’s most anticipated parody musicals: I Wish You Well- The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical which stars the fabulous Diana Vickers and looks hysterical; and Come Dine With Me: The Musical which you can’t miss. The wonderful ventriloquist Nina Conti will be at the Fringe with her show Whose Face is it Anyway, and The Last Laugh has such a stacked cast and production team that it is definitely a must-see.

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EdFringe Talk: Baby Shark and Tails of the Seven Seas

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Being able to attend a circus show, and then turn around and walk down the street to an acapella concert makes attending the Fringe one of the highlights of my year!”

WHO: Christopher Vuk

WHAT: “Join Fiddlefox and Baby Shark as they travel to different lands around the world seeking a lost friend, while experiencing the sights and sounds of each culture represented in a multimedia format with live music, animated video, magic and story.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Dram (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 10:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As an international performer, having collaborated with Sesame Street, John Mayer, Paul Simon, Riverdance, Celtic Woman, and others, I am thrilled to bring an original, choose-your-own-adventure, theatrical performance for children to the Fringe! I first attended the Fringe in 2017 (by accident, having no idea the what or when the Fringe was when I arrived), and fondly remember it as the most wonderful artistic event I’ve ever attended. The sheer scale and variety of the festival absolutely blew my mind, and this year I believe our all ages show is something unique from anything else at the Fringe! Being able to attend a circus show, and then turn around and walk down the street to an acapella concert makes attending the Fringe one of the highlights of my year!

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

My 2023 tour was largely inspired by a David Copperfield magic show that I attended with my 8 year old son in Las Vegas. Despite the incredible magic that David presented, I was struck by the way he told his personal story, and was so engaged by how story could transform a large scale event into something that felt intimate and meaningful. This is something that I have taken to heart, and attempt to do through each of my shows, giving the audience moments of meaningful connection throughout the performance.

Tell us about your show.

Baby Shark and Tails of the Seven Seas is an immersive musical experience designed for children ages 1-10 as they travel to different lands around the world seeking a lost friend, while experiencing the sights and sounds of each culture through song, magic, and story. Written and produced by Christopher Vuk, founder of the Boston String Quartet, the show will be premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe, followed by the Edmonton Fringe, followed by an International Tour in 2025.

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

If you’ve seen our show, then I recommend the Abracadabra Family Friendly Magic Show. My children and I attended one of their performances years ago, and loved the energy that they bring to the stage, the assortment of clever magic tricks, and the way that they are able to engage the audience and involve them in the performance.

A new show that I’m excited to attend this year is “The Smeds and The Smoos”. As a fan of the modern classic children’s tales The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, this new show promises to bring the much loved tale of star-crossed aliens to the stage.

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EdFringe Talk: Party Girl

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“We are so excited to experience the big crowds, excitement and cobblestones for ourselves – it’s a dream come true!”

WHO: Lily Hayman

WHAT: “Fairy Sprinkles isn’t your average fairy… In this award winning rock’n’roll monologue from Lucy Heffernan, all the glitzy hell of a kid’s birthday party explodes out on stage to rip apart class, challenge traditional feminine behaviour and explore the impact of mental illness on family. Telling stories from Heffernan’s time as a Party Fairy, and featuring five original rock songs – don’t miss this intimate, funny and deeply moving work. Winner: 2023 Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for Best Theatre / Physical Theatre.”

WHERE: Summerhall – Cairns Lecture Theatre (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 21:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our first time to Europe at all!! So we are stoked that we are spending our first Euro Summer at Edinburgh Fringe! We are so excited to experience the big crowds, excitement and cobblestones for ourselves – it’s a dream come true!

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

We’ve learned so much about how this industry and all the behind the scenes work that goes into big trips like this. Everything is about relationships, and forming genuine connections with other people – whether that’s your audience, a fellow producer, or someone who can take your work to a new place. If you make that connection – the rest comes when it’s time.

Tell us about your show.

Party Girl is a rock n’ roll monologue with a whole lot of heart! Written and performed by the incredible Lucy Heffernan it’s the story of a Saturday in the life of a kids birthday party entertainer – Fairy Sprinkles. She walks on stage and slams out a rock and roll cord and we strap in for a rollercoaster ride of glitzy horrible kids, stuck up yummy mummies, hot dads and a bit of real magic along the way. You see… Fairy Sprinkles is busy today – she’s got 3 back to back parties all over Sydney, and her mum (who lives with Bipolar) needs her support.

Our show is all about class, family and finding things to believe in when you’ve lost the magic. It’s also a very real story about Mental Health and the impacts it can have on a family. Featuring banging original rock songs, and a unicorn rap to jam to – we cannot wait to bring the Party to Summerhall this year. We’ve performed it at Adelaide Fringe the last two years, and even won an award for Best Theatre there!! We’ve also had runs in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. Now we’re leaving the nest and getting ready for our biggest flight yet – to Edinburgh! Fairy Sprinkles will have tired wings by the time we get there for sure…

The show is produced by Purple Tape Productions, an up and coming theatre company in Sydney who make bold, new, female led works for stage. We all met at the University of Wollongong, and Party Girl coming to Edinburgh feels like the culmination of eight years of knowing and growing together!

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

If you’re looking for something totally hilarious – our good friend Anna Dooley is bringing ‘ENDHOE” her hilarious hour about her very real experiences with Endometriosis. Another one for the ladies (but also for everyone!) it’s an absolute riot. Go see it!!

We’re also super keen to see fellow Aussies Siren Theatre Co in ‘Plenty of Fish in the Sea’ which is a bizarre French Absurdist movement work that’s taken Sydney by storm the last two years!! Top tip – it’s totally unique and absolutely fabulous.

Last one is we are fangirling about The Tin Can Bros doing ‘Solve it Squad!’ this year at Assembly for EdFringe. We will be booking our seats and seeing it (maybe more than once!!). We started making theatre because we loves Starkid and the Tin Can Bros! So seeing them in person is a dream come true! Highly recommended.

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EdFringe Talk: The Sound Inside

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“When I’m at the festival just as an audience member, it’s marvellously relaxing – no pressure other than to cram in as many shows and hear the word on the street about what the hot shows are. When you’re producing, it’s a different story.”

WHO: Pádraig Cusack

WHAT: “UK premiere. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Play. Cast: Madeleine Potter and Eric Sirakian. Director: Matt Wilkinson. A solitary Ivy League creative writing professor is captivated by a brilliant, rebellious freshman student. Delicate, provocative, bursting with wit – so begins the story of two outsiders on the threshold of breaking of an indelible taboo. And when the darkest of favours is requested, the stage is set: The Sound Inside drives inexorably towards a climax filled with mystery, beauty and the ultimate declaration of love. ‘A gripping small-scale mystery… subliminal, sublime.’ (New York Times).”

WHERE: Traverse Theatre – Traverse 1 (Venue 15) 

WHEN: Varies (80 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve made many visits to Edinburgh and most of them have been during the festival season so there’s a wonderful familiarity about the city, helped of course by that warm Celtic welcome that an Irishman like me loves. In recent years, most of my theatre productions have been at the Traverse Theatre – shows like Psychodrama and A Girl is a Half-formed Thing and we’ve packed out with wonderful audiences. I also did an epic 3-show production of The James Plays for National Theatre Scotland and National Theatre (London) at the Festival Theatre and that was a real buzz too. I love the mix of audiences during the festival season – young and old, local and travellers, all sitting cheek by jowl, egging us on to deliver a thrilling show. It’s really unique. You don’t find that in London or New York to anything like the same degree! What’s especially wonderful about Edfringe is meeting up with old friends and colleagues and making new ones – you almost meet someone on every corner, dipping in for a quick coffee and then a mad dash to catch the next show.

When I’m at the festival just as an audience member, it’s marvellously relaxing – no pressure other than to cram in as many shows and hear the word on the street about what the hot shows are. When you’re producing, it’s a different story. You’re constantly looking at sales figures, checking in on your actors to make sure they’re well-rested and scouting for any opportunities that might give the show a further life after Edfringe ends. And when it all comes together, the final day is a joyous sense of relief and achievement!

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

I’ve been in this theatre-making game a long time and I’m constantly reminded, even more so now, to HOLD YOUR NERVE. It’s not over until the fat lady sings and this year that’s not happening until 25 August, so reminding myself to believe in my gut instinct is essential. And that was my response, on hearing this play for the first time about a year ago, that it’s a cracking bit of writing and needs to be seen at Edfringe. It’s quietly reassuring that it was a hit on Broadway in 2019, with a ton of Tony nominations to boot, so hopefully Edinburgh audiences will be equally enthused and enthralled.

Tell us about your show.

The Sound Inside is by the American playwright and novelist Adam Rapp. He’s got a huge reputation over in the US having won numerous awards and been shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize. This side of the Atlantic, he’s not so well-known….but we’re hoping to change that. The play itself is a riveting two-hander – a 50-something creative writing professor at Yale, Bella, and her young maverick hugely talented student, Christopher. In their own separate ways, they are outsiders – lonely. And there is a real meeting of minds sparked by their passion for literature and their own writing. It’s a feisty and, at times, very funny relationship, that really engages you as the unexpected story reveals itself. It has a few twists and turns that makes it a bit of a page-turner. And our two wonderful actors, Madeleine Potter of Merchant Ivory movie success, and Eric Sirakian, fresh from triumphs in the West End and Broadway, make for a real dynamic and sparing duo. If you like psychological thrillers, peppered with wit and humour, then it’s one for you.

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

I’m really looking forward to seeing David Cromer’s production of I’m Almost There at Summerhall, (@ChescMood) – Cromer is a brilliant, detailed director and all his work always surprises and engages me big time. And also a very physical production, Angry Snatch: A Reclamation Job in 15 Rounds, set in a boxing ring is on my hit list! I want to see what they do using such a different setting. (@frankiewalkerarts). At Traverse I want to see Douglas Maxwell’s new play So Young about a group of friends who get together for an evening which includes introducing a new girlfriend. It’s bound to go wrong somehow – we’ve all been there! (@TraverseTheatre) Needless to say, I’ll be on the prowl for other hot tips too once I’m on the ground in Edinburgh. Can’t wait!!

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EdFringe Talk: It’s the Economy, Stupid!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I definitely learned from that Fringe was to pace myself and rest more – I’ll be sure to do that this year!”

WHO: Joe Sellman-Leava

WHAT: “Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections, and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated! Armed with bags, boxes and an old board game, Joe and Dylan calculate how their lives have been shaped by the economies they grew up in. Developed with and directed by internationally acclaimed Katharina Reinthaller, and produced by Worklight Theatre, It’s the Economy Stupid is a bold new show from the Fringe First winning creators of Labels and Fanboy.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – Jack Dome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 13:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Hello! This will be my sixth Edinburgh Fringe – my first was in 2012, with Worklight’s first show called How to Start a Riot. Edinburgh is a beautiful city to begin with, and transforms every August into something even more unique: Fringe is full of some of the most vibrant and innovative shows in the world. As a performer/producer, I love seeing new work and spending a month in the same place as so many brilliant artists. And for anyone who loves going to see theatre, comedy, dance and or spoken word, it really is the best place in the world.

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

My last Fringe was in 2022 – the first full festival since the pandemic, so there was a sense of making up for lost time, both in terms of seeing shows and catching up with people. Amazing in some ways, but something I definitely learned from that Fringe was to pace myself and rest more – I’ll be sure to do that this year!

Tell us about your show.

It’s the Economy, Stupid! asks why elections are so often framed around the economy, and what the cost of this might be, in a wealthy (but unequal) country, like the UK. I wrote it, based partly on my family’s experience of losing our home and livelihood in the 90s recession (when James Carville coined the phrase the title is based on). It’s been developed with designer Dylan Howells (who is also performing in the show), and director and dramaturg Katharina Reinthaller. I’ve worked previously with Katharina on Labels, and with Dylan on Fanboy (also returning to Fringe this year, for a limited run), but we’ve never worked as a trio before. This something I’ve been really excited about – they’re both brilliant collaborators, each with a unique skillset and perspective, and I think that comes through in the show. It feels like it’s something we could only have made together.

After Edinburgh, we’re touring the show to London, Leeds, Norwich, Burnley, Bristol, Bath, Basingstoke, Cornwall, Cheltenham, Exeter and Harrogate.

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

James Rowland, because he’s one of the best storytellers out there. Jonny and the Baptists, because their musical comedy is second to none. John Luke Roberts, because he’s doing ALL of his previous shows in one Fringe! Hettie Hodgson and Emma Louise Howell – who I’m lucky enough to have worked with before– have a show called I Really Think This Will Change Your Life, which sounds fantastic. Britt Plummer has a clown comedy show about love called Fool’s Paradise, which everyone who’s seen it loves.

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EdFringe Talk: Our Little Secret: The 23andMe Musical

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Every once in a while, I see a show that I not only love, but that changes my idea of what is possible in theatre.”

WHO: Noam Tomaschoff

WHAT: “Winner: Best of Fringe Toronto 2023! What does a 31-year-old theatre kid do when a DNA test reveals that his biological parents aren’t quite who he thought they were? Write a musical, of course! In this hilarious, moving and true story, Noam Tomaschoff grapples with questions of family, identity and just how many brothers and sisters he really has. Blending comedy, drama and addictive music, Noam takes the audience on an unforgettable journey, ending with a message of optimism that will make you hold your family just a little bit tighter.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Doonstairs (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is! And every day I hear something new that puts the sheer magnitude of it into greater relief. For example. Today I learned that Fringe is the third highest ticketed event in the world after the World Cup and the Olympics. For a first-time Fringer like myself, that is extremely daunting, but it also makes things simple: just like an athlete, when the show begins, all the hubbub and distractions fall away, and it’s just you and the stage and the audience that matters. I love performing Our Little Secret- I feel like it’s exactly what I’m meant to be doing, and my biggest wish for the fest is that I can make audiences feel the same way every night!

Outside of my own work I am especially looking forward to seeing the most creative theatre practitioners in the world all in one place. Every once in a while, I see a show that I not only love, but that changes my idea of what is possible in theatre. This is exactly the type of work I’m looking to get into this summer as an audience member. I want to leave shows saying “wow, I didn’t know you could do that…”

And then stealing all the best ideas of course!

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

This is the first solo show I’ve ever done, and by far my biggest takeaway as a performer is just how alive and active the connection with the audience is. It makes sense, it’s just the two of you together in that room, but only once I started doing the show did I fully feel how the engine of the show, the thing that drives it forward, isn’t just me, but rather the energy that lives in the space between myself and the audience. It’s an electric and addictive feeling that I don’t think you get anywhere else in life. As a lesson, it’s taught me to stop thinking ahead in performance and relish each individual moment as they come, and trusting that one moment will naturally lead to the next.

And I am buzzing to see what the famous Edinburgh audience and I can create together.

Tell us about your show.

Our Little secret is a solo musical that tells the true story of when I ordered a DNA test on a lark a few summers ago, and discovered that my parents aren’t quite who I thought they were, and oh, surprise! I’m not actually an only child, but actually have 35 half siblings all across North America…. I can’t say more! But the show is a blend of comedy, drama, music, confession, and communion, taking the audience through my and my family’s journey of genetic discovery right up until the present day.

As the revelations about my genetics and heritage were rocking my world, I quickly realized that I was going to have to create something out of this experience, or I wasn’t going to make it out in one piece. Luckily, my best friends from high school and I are still in close contact, and we LOVE musicals – we performed in them, sang them around the piano instead of playing Mario Kart, and even wrote and produced one as kids! I got together with Ryan Peters, the composer, Russell Citron, the producer, and Ben Deverett, who does the musical arrangement, and we decided we were going to make a musical. I wrote the book, and Ryan, Russell and I camped out in Ryan’s basement for a week and wrote the music, and Ben, or rather, Dr. Deverett, did the arrangement on his laptop in the call room when he wasn’t anaesthetizing patients. Less than a year after I ordered the DNA test and got the news, we were premiering Our Little Secret at the Toronto Fringe Festival of 2023.

Toronto Fringe was an incredible success. We sold out every show, won the Patron’s Pick award and Best of Fringe, and we just recently secured our first mainstage production, which will be in the spring of 2025 at the Segal Center Theatre in Montreal.

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

My best friend Arsalan Akhavan is doing his solo show “The Good Iranian” August 13-26 right across the street from us at Just the Tonic! He weaves together the story of the Persian epic myth the Shahnameh with his own experience growing up as a Middle Eastern kid in the post-9/11 American South. Tremendous stuff.

Also, my long-time favourite sketch group BriTaNick are back with their live show at Pleasance. I saw their work in progress last year back in LA and I think they’re one of the best comic duos working today.

Another cool show at our venue the Gilded Balloon is Artificial Intelligence Improv, which I’d never heard of before- an improv show hosted by a robot. We should all be very interested in seeing how our future overlords fare with yes and-ing!

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EdFringe Talk: Come Dine With Me: The Musical

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The Fringe is our favourite place on earth. We love the exhaustion, the overstimulation, the constant flyering, the dazzling talent, the late nights, the weirdness, and (especially) the post-show pub trips.”

WHO: Sam Norman & Aaron Nihal King

WHAT: “Take a bunch of tuneful strangers. Mix in a dollop of behind-the-scenes skulduggery, a Sound Man playing detective, a sprinkling of star-crossed love, and plenty of juicy arpeggios. Marinade, cook for 60 minutes… and serve hot. The result is a mouth-watering fusion dish, combining the beloved TV show and a sumptuous original score to form Come Dine With Me: The Musical – a winning recipe that will delight even the pickiest palate! (Warning: May Contain Spice.)”

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

WHEN: 14:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We’re no strangers to the Edinburgh Fringe, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing up Come Dine With Me: The Musical! It’s an irreverent musical comedy about a group of strangers who sign up for a reality show and discover what it means to be human. Come for a pinch of mystery, some friction in the kitchen, and plenty of silly rhymes!

The Fringe is our favourite place on earth. We love the exhaustion, the overstimulation, the constant flyering, the dazzling talent, the late nights, the weirdness, and (especially) the post-show pub trips. We brought our first-ever musical up here aeons ago, and it’s incredibly exciting to be back.

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

We were lucky enough to have our first public showing in 2023 at the MTFest. We had three days to put the show on its feet before doing several concert performances to sell-out crowds. The feedback was fantastic – not all musicals are lucky enough to get a trial run! – and the experience kickstarted a blizzard of rewrites and this brand-spanking-new scaled-up production.

Tell us about your show.

We (Sam & Aaron) are the writers, and we were brought onboard by superstar TV producers Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch, who came up with the concept for the musical adaptation. We’ve been brilliantly supported by Channel 4 and MultiStory Media at every turn. And our producer is the amazing Paul Taylor-Mills, who picked us up and has taken this musical from page to stage.
We’re all set for a week at the Norwich Playhouse, then the glorious madness of Edinburgh, followed by a few weeks off-West End at the Turbine Theatre in London. Then sleep!

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

We can’t wait to go and see all the musicals we can find – I Wish You Well, Silence! and My Son’s a Queer all spring to mind. Other personal favourites include Sam’s old a cappella group The Alternotives (he’s just that cool), and improv geniuses Racing Minds. But we want to see everything, the weirder the better.

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EdFringe Talk: For the Love of Spam

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The show has had a remarkable trajectory. It premiered in Brazil and had a sold-out run at the Pleasance last year, followed by two highly successful runs in London earlier this year.”

WHO: Caleb Lee & Brent Tan

WHAT: “A comedic, multi-sensory, participatory one-woman show dedicated to two things: canned meat and colonialism. Find out how this (delicious) canned meat symbolises modern-day colonialism and threatens the very livelihood of a whole civilisation in these West vs East political games. Can this formerly Catholic, angry and God-fearing woman help educate (and feed) the masses, all while “liberating” her island? Performed by CHamoru/Filipina theatre maker Sierra Sevilla, originally from the island of Guam and passionate about shifting immigrant narratives. Recipient of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund 2024.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beside (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 14:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Caleb: No, it’s not my first time to Edinburgh, and I absolutely love this city! I’ve been fortunate to visit Edinburgh a few times, often for the Imaginate Festival, which is a fantastic celebration of children’s theatre. This year marks my second time at the EdFringe, with my first visit almost a decade ago. Back then, I had the incredible experience of bringing a children’s production to the festival, which was a unique collaboration between artists from Singapore and the UK.

What’s truly special about the EdFringe is its sheer scale and diversity. It’s the largest arts festival in the world, and it transforms the entire city into a vibrant, buzzing hub of creativity. Every corner of the city becomes a stage. You never know what you’ll stumble upon next – a hidden gem in a small venue or a groundbreaking performance in a historic hall.

As a producer, EdFringe is particularly exhilarating. It’s a rare opportunity to see so many exciting shows in one place, meet a diverse array of talented artists, and discover new works to produce. The festival is a melting pot of ideas and innovation, and it provides an excellent platform for networking and collaboration. The conversations you have, the shows you watch, and the creative energy you absorb are incredibly inspiring and often spark new ideas and projects.

Experiencing a festival as a producer is quite different from being a punter. As an audience member, you get to immerse yourself in the performances and enjoy the festival atmosphere without the behind-the-scenes pressures. As a producer, however, you’re constantly on the lookout for new talent and potential collaborations, balancing the enjoyment of the shows with the excitement of scouting for the next big thing. Both perspectives offer their own unique thrills and insights and having experienced EdFringe from both sides, I can say it’s a truly magical event no matter your role.

Brent: It is also not my first time in Edinburgh but it’s my first time producing for the fringe. I visited for holidays and watched tons of shows in the previous Edfringe. I love that I can bask in the vibrancy and the atmosphere of creatives and that sense of adventure when discovering new talents and new works much of which many have not seen or heard before.

As a producer, everything goes into the planning. From logistics to marketing and financial investment, making sure the production brings the best from the experiences to the punter. The experience provides a deeper understanding of the festival’s inner workings and a greater appreciation for the artistry involved. Being a punter before, I’ve enjoyed the engagement of the performances and would build a strong social following to see where such performances will go next.

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

Caleb: Since 2023, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, collaboration, sustainability, and resilience. Staying flexible and open to change has become crucial in the evolving arts landscape. Embracing diverse perspectives has enriched our productions while integrating sustainable practices is now essential. Resilience has helped us navigate challenges and maintain a positive outlook.
These lessons have not only shaped how we live but have also enriched the quality and impact of our work, allowing us to continue producing meaningful and engaging theatre for our audiences.

Brent: In 2023, I’ve learned so much and will continue to build myself on these crafts of being creative and being able to communicate those ideas. Coming from a technical background, I have learned and am still learning about the language of working in the creative process and translating it into the technicalities of theatre productions. It is also recently that at this point of my career is when I can start to inspire others to build the team in collaboration and to expose myself with the creativity of many artists.

Tell us about your show.

Caleb: Our show is a heartfelt and compelling exploration of migration, belonging, home, and the universal language of food. Written and performed by the incredibly talented Sierra Sevilla, with Izzy Rabey as the director and dramaturg, and a creative team from ESEA, Pacific Islander and mixed heritage backgrounds, the show has resonated deeply with audiences.

Brent and I first encountered this piece at Camden People’s Theatre, where Sierra and Izzy presented a short scratch performance. Even in its early stages, we saw immense potential. As ESEA creatives, the show resonated deeply with us, and we knew we wanted to help bring it to a wider audience. Thus, we decided to produce it, and it’s been an amazing journey ever since.

The show has had a remarkable trajectory. It premiered in Brazil and had a sold-out run at the Pleasance last year, followed by two highly successful runs in London earlier this year. Before making its way to the Fringe, it also had the opportunity of touring in Hawaii. Our production has received both the Charlie Hartill Fund and the Keep it Fringe Fund, which are tremendous accolades for the work we’ve put into it.

After the Fringe, our Spam-venture continues. We have been invited to the prestigious Kia Mau Festival in New Zealand next year, and we’re also planning a tour in Singapore. Additionally, we are hopeful for a regional tour across the UK, bringing the show to new audiences and continuing to share its powerful message.

It’s been an exhilarating experience watching this show grow and connect with audiences around the world, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

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

Caleb: You should also check out the other shows at the Pleasance – particularly the other 2 Charlie Hartill fund winners – Duck (by Two Magpies Productions) and Crying Shame (by Sweet Beef Theatre). Duck, by award-winning playwright maatin, is a brilliant piece of new writing about the pressures of competition and finding your identity in an environment that doesn’t cater for differences. Crying Shame is an excellent cabaret by the emerging queer theatre collective Sweet Beef, who work to explore socio-political issues with a healthy dose of audience interaction and comedy. Please come and support emerging & marginalised artists – it means a lot to us!

Alongside these, there is a super fun participatory family show, the Blue Badge Bunch by Ingenious Fools Ltd (WINNER Disability Champions Award) who champions the arts and inclusivity for children. Additionally, don’t miss the fantastic musical Gwyneth Goes Skiing by Awkward Productions – a story of love, betrayal and skiing – where you are the jury; which had a sold-out run in London.

Brent: I am also working on another show called Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera (by Wound Up Theatre) which will be at the Summerhall Roundabout. This is a unique production that combines the gritty underground sounds of hip-hop, grime and drill with the melodrama of opera to present a piece of gig theatre like no other.

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