Tag Archives: EdFringe

EdFringe Talk: Dear Annie, I Hate You

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Every artist I know who’s been to the Fringe have told me they have special memories of their experience.”

WHO: Sam Ipema

WHAT: “Based on writer-performer Sam Ipema’s life, Dear Annie, I Hate You is the story of Sam and her brain aneurysm, Annie. They share the rational, irrational, nihilistic and liberating experiences of what it’s like to be told you’re going to die aged 20. Directed by James Meteyard.”

WHERE: ZOO Playground – Playground 2 (Venue 186) 

WHEN: 16:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Why yes it is! We’re very excited that it’s our production company’s first Fringe experience and my first play to ever write and take to the Fringe!

Some of our production team and creative team are much better versed with Edinburgh Fringe, so we feel really lucky to have them on board, showing us the ropes. And they have also pre-warned me on the absolute madness that we’re about to experience, which is all the more reason I’m excited!

Every artist I know who’s been to the Fringe have told me they have special memories of their experience. I think it’s special for two reasons. I think it’s a) being absolutely surrounded by a massive artist community for an entire month. That is any theatre-goers dream, I think. It’s a place where any show you can imagine (a quite a few curveballs) is probably happening. There really is something for everyone. And b) I really believe it’s the amount of opportunity that is available at the Fringe – many friends have had their careers started there and build relationships from it that last a lifetime. We’re excited to be a part of that community.

The difference between being a producer and a punter at the fringe, as I understand it, is pretty much the level of alcohol you can consume. Our show is pretty intense so it’ll definitely require a pint afterwards, but an early bedtime most nights as well to prep for the next day.

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

Since this is my first, I’m going to just relay the advice that’s been passed to me which is this: buy lots of fruit and veggies early, because all of the clowns buy it out for their shows, and it’s hard to find any as the fringe goes on.

You’d be surprised how many times I’ve received this piece of advice…

Tell us about your show.

Gladly! My show ‘Dear Annie, I Hate You’ is a play based on my life when I was 20 and had no clue what I was doing, who I was, or what I wanted out of life….and then suddenly I got diagnosed with a fatal brain aneurysm! It’s all about the crazy experience of that time in my life and examining what makes life worth living through the reliving of these moments.
Oh, and my brain aneurysm (‘Annie’) comes in to crash the show. Much to my displeasure.

I wrote it originally as a pilot and now have developed it for the stage. Which secretly has always been how I wanted to do it originally. It’s a really packed, really darkly fun hour of chaos between myself and my aneurysm and we hope, an enjoyable one that ends on a life-affirming note for the audience to take from.

It’s received wonderful support through Soho Theatre’s Edinburgh Lab, which I am incredibly grateful to. And some really experienced, really wonderful creatives have come onboard as well.

We definitely hope it is going to find a life and tour afterwards… but we shall wait to find out where exactly that will be!

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

Oh, there are so many shows at the Soho Theatre Labs that are going to be absolutely fantastic – boy you’re in for a treat! And they were all absolutely lovely and supportive and definitely deserve a shoutout! To name a few that I really want to see:

‘A Stan Is Born’ by Alexis Sakellaris (ZOO Playground) is a gorgeous and hilarious story about queer reputation. Plus it’s a ZOO which is the most supportive, lovely venue (not that we’re biased or anything!)

‘PALS’ (Gilded Balloon Patterhoose) is perfect for any 20 something who thought the best way to escape their 20s was by going camping in the middle of nowhere with friends…

‘Main Character Energy’ (Roundabout @ Summerhall)- everything Temi creates is pure gold. Our producer raves about her performance in Land Without Dreams at The Gate, plus she wrote episodes for Sex Education, and who doesn’t love that show!

We’re also really excited to go see Gang Bang (Pleasance Courtyard), we’ve heard nothing but good things about it so will definitely be booking a ticket and cheering them on!

And more!

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EdFringe Talk: Katie Pritchard: I Kiss The Music

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“My favourite thing about fringe is getting to watch all my friends do their super cool and awesome shows, and also the camaraderie between acts.”

WHO: Katie Pritchard

WHAT: “The Stand 4 Arena. A sold-out crowd erupts into a frenzy as their favourite sexy silly songstress – Katie Pritchard – takes to the stage via hydraulic lift, dressed head to toe in the finest unitard she could paint. Famous for her high-octane musical comedy, join this ‘force of nature’ **** (One4Review.co.uk), and ‘one-woman comedy music powerhouse’ ***** (VoiceMag.uk) on her brand-new show as she pretends to embark on an arena tour to this 35-seater venue – think Lady Gaga… on acid! As seen on Channel 4, ITVX, and BBC. Winner, Musical Comedy Awards.”

WHERE: The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4 – Stand 4 (Venue 12) 

WHEN: 20:05 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I can’t get enough of the fringe! This my second hour show at the fringe, but I’ve had the joy of performing shorter solo shows and being a guest in other people’s shows for lots of lovely fringes before. My favourite thing about fringe is getting to watch all my friends do their super cool and awesome shows, and also the camaraderie between acts. It can be such an emotional rollercoaster, but I love to celebrate ALL of the wins of my talented friends and curse all of the losses like a coven of witches! Some of my favourite friendships have been forged at the fringe, and some of my most cherished moments as a comic have been at the fringe, so I can’t wait to see what fun and friendships this fringe brings!

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

Last year I learned that I will likely never grow any taller, but I still only take my trousers up a few inches and roll them up the rest of the way – just in case I do defy science one day and grow some more inches. I do think that at some point soon I need to accept that I will just be the average height of a 12-year-old for the rest of my life, but the time to accept that is…NOT YET! So…no…to answer your question.

Tell us about your show.

This year I’m BACK and I will be dressed head to toe in the finest unitard I could paint with my very silly and (hopefully) uplifting new show “Katie Pritchard: I Kiss The Music”. I am embarking on an arena tour to my 35-seater venue at The Stand 4, where I will give the fans what they’ve asked for – their favourite hits that they’ve never heard before, and dance moves that they never thought the human body possible of. SO. MANY. DANCE. MOVES!!

I’ve written and composed the whole show to emulate some of my favourite pop stars over the years. With loads of different musical genres from Europop to hair metal anthems to the latest James Bond theme, there’s something for everyone no matter their musical tastes.

I’m self producing this show this year, which is scary being my first big fringe self-producing…So…please come? (Is that good producing?) BUT the creative collaborating team are simply stunning! For this show, I’ve been working with Ali James (“Showstopper! The Improvised Musical”, “Magic Goes Wrong”, “A Jaffa Cake Musical”), Alexander Bennett (Telegraph’s Top 10 Funniest Jokes of Edinburgh Fringe 2023), and Kevin Oliver Jones (“Thriller – Live”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Blood Brothers”). What a lovely and incredibly talented bunch indeed!

The Edinburgh Fringe will be the premier of the show, after previewing it at Guildford Fringe Festival and in London at The Phoenix Arts Club (this one will be a double whammy show with Sketch Legends – Grubby Little Mitts – before we head up to Fringe).

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

If you’re up for some more fun involving me, I’m also doing a musical with Gigglemug Theatre called “A Jaffa Cake Musical” at Pleasance Two at 3:10pm where I will be playing The Taxman (get practising your big BOOOOOOs!!). A musical. About Jaffa Cakes. What more could you possibly want? The answer to the age-old question “Is it a cake? Or is it a biscuit?”? Well…it’s got that too!

Some people I’ve already shouted out above are doing fantastic shows – check them out!! Ali James will be appearing in “Showstopper! The Improvised Musical”! Alexander Bennett is up doing his new show “Emotional Daredevil”. And if you love your sketch shows served hilarious, then check out Grubby Little Mitts’ new hit “Eyes Closed, Mouths Open”.

If you NEED more musical comedy in your life (…WHO DOESN’T?!?!) then get your cute sexy butts over to see Jazz Emu (a legend), Two Hearts (such outstanding talents), and Huge Davies (obsessed).

Ben Target is back up this year with “Lorenzo” which is one of the most stunning shows I’ve seen! Since last years’ fringe, Ben has taken this show to Soho Theatre (London) for a sold-out run, and also transferred to New York. SHOWBIZZ! Go see Ben!

Along with that lot, some excellent people are making their comedy debuts this year:
Hannah Platt, Will Robbins, Joe Kent-Walters, Derek Mitchell, and Runi Talwar.

And no matter what time of year or what festival you find yourselves at, you should always check out: Elf Lyons, Dan Wye / Séayoncé, Yuriko Kotani, Lorna Rose Treen, Sikisa, Mark Silcox, Luke Rollason, Abandoman, and Joz Norris!

Sooo many rec’s but they’re all so talented I couldn’t not!

Love you all loads xoxo

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EdFringe Talk: Spy Movie: The Play!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I’ve learned that upstage is actually down and downstage is actually up, and that stage left and right are the wrong way around.”

WHO: Jack Michael Stacey & Matthew Howell and Albert Cabbage

WHAT: “Agent Blonde has 24 hours to save the world. The only things standing in her way are dastardly villains, an outrageous plot, and… a lack of funding. When Hollywood rejects her script, a frustrated screenwriter invites you, an audience of producers, to a one-night-only presentation of The Greatest Spy Movie (n)Ever Made! From two of the minds behind The New Musketeers (Trinity Theatre) and stars of The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Spy Movie: The Play! is a new hilarious homage to Bond movies and fringe theatre suitable for the whole family.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 12:00 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Jack: This is our first Fringe as a company (A. Cabbage Productions, named in honour of the producers of the Bond movie franchise, Brocolli), but members of our company have taken multiple shows to the fringe over the years.

Matt: This is also our first time performing with The Pleasance, which we are so excited about. We always felt that The Pleasance Courtyard would be the perfect space for SPY MOVIE: The Play! as it is a hub for entertainment and comedy for the whole family throughout the entire Fringe.

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

Jack: I’ll pass this question on to our Producer, Albert Cabbage. Albert?

Albert: What?

Jack: What have you learnt since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Albert: Well, I’m learning Italian but it’s taking a molto long time. I’ve probably absorbed the Pizza I had last night, though. Deliziosa!

Jack: I think the question was more about theatre.

Albert: Oh. Well, I’ve learned that upstage is actually down and downstage is actually up, and that stage left and right are the wrong way around, too. All in all, theatre a very confusing medium. I much prefer movies, which is why our show, SPY MOVIE: The Play! is actually just a movie, conveniently presented live on stage from the comfort of your very own home (as long as you live in The Pleasance Courtyard).

Tell us about your show.

Jack: The show is about a screenwriter who can’t get her epic blockbuster spy movie made in Hollywood, so teams up with a shady producer –

Albert: That’s me!

Jack: – to put it on as a low-budget play.

Matt: Jack and I wrote it. We teamed up to work on the script whilst touring with Mischief in Peter Pan Goes Wrong. We met on The Play That Goes Wrong (West End) and have written together since then. We’ve published a play (The New Musketeers, Methuen Drama), and one of our sitcom pilots (Section 13), which was actually about spies, was longlisted for the BAFTA Rocliffe competition.

Jack: It’s a laugh-a-minute show suitable for ages 9 to 99!

Albert: Oh, good. My mother can come!

Jack: It’s got low-budget stunts, big-belly laughs, and –

Albert: – and SEX SEX SEX!*

Jack: *suitable for the whole family.

Albert: I’m producing it, and I need no introduction… but here’s my card. Albert Cabbage, Producer Extraordinaire. The movie is about world-famous novelist Ian Flemish who must help Agent Jane Blonde, master spy, in an epic race to save the world from the forces of EVIW (Every Villain in World).

Matt: And what do you do as a Producer?

Albert: Well, I look after the actors, the set, the costumes (my mother has an extensive wardrobe of period pieces), and, most importantly, I come up with the money… speaking of which, do you fancy investing in a show? I’m putting on a new musical called MOTHBALLS! (featuring all my mother’s clothes).

Matt: We put the show on at The Hope in London to some great 4-star (Reviews Hub, Broadway World, Broadway Baby) and 5-star (West End Best Friend) reviews, so we decided to form the company and bring it to The Fringe!

Albert: What about that awful review? Two stars!

Jack: We don’t have to –

Albert: I knew I should have paid them off like I did with all the others.

Matt: What’s the next question?

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

Albert: I’m still hoping to bring my new show, Mothballs, to the Fringe if I can get a slot, and Hugh Grant says yes.

Jack: The Importance of Being… Earnest? It’s great!

Albert: It’ll be fantastic. Mothballs, I mean.

Matt: Yes, after SPY MOVIE: The Play! go and see The Importance of Being… Earnest?!

Albert: Mothballs is about Hugh Grant, who plays this giant moth who suddenly gets a pain in his –

Jack: I think we’re out of time.

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EdFringe Talk: Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of or to visit, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences aboard our fun show!”

WHO: Lottie Davies

WHAT: “Pinch Punch are back to welcome you aboard Locomotive for Murder, an improvised comedy murder-mystery where killing the cast and cracking the case is in your hands. Expect outrageous accents and shaky alibis! Four characters board a train but not everyone will survive. Thankfully, a world-famous detective is ready to solve the case. But who is the murderer? Only one person knows: the murderer themselves. Using audience suggestions and stories, Pinch Punch create a never-to-be-repeated whodunnit. If you love comedy or murder mysteries then this is the show for you!”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Other Yin (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our second time at the Edinburgh Fringe festival! We came last year and loved it, so we’re back to solve some more murders. The Edinburgh Fringe is so special, it’s a real home for creatives and a brilliant way to get drenched in as much comedy and theatre as you possibly can. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of or to visit, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences aboard our fun show!

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

In 2023’s fringe, we learned that audiences felt super comfortable with us – and so we’re reinforcing that it’s ok to go to improv shows and let other people do the talking if that’s not your jam. If you’d like to come along and shout out a suggestion, we obviously love that, but we won’t be picking on anybody at random and putting them on the spot.

We also learned that to be good at handing out flyers, you’ve got to have a lot of gusto and some lozenges on hand!

Tell us about your show.

Our show is a hilarious improvised murder mystery, set on a train in the 1920’s. A world famous detective gets onboard, along with four mysterious strangers. One of them won’t survive the night and it’s the audience’s job to figure out whodunnit. But only one person onstage knows for sure – the murderer themselves!

Pinch Punch is formed of 11 professional actors who came together in late 2019 to do our Improvised Panto. During the lockdown, we workshopped our murder mystery show and after killing each other over Zoom, we won a commission from Harrow Arts Centre to put on test performances and Locomotive for Murder was born! We’ve been touring the show around the country this year and plan to head to more venues after the Fringe so watch this space!

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

I’d recommend seeing something outside of your normal viewing habits!

For impro, we love Shake It Up (improvised Shakespeare, what’s not to love!) Showstopper! and Side Quest (for the DnD crowd).

For Comedy you can’t go wrong with Foil, Arms and Hog, Will Sebag-Montefiore’s ‘Will The People’ and Terry Wogan Late. I saw Terry Wogan last year and couldn’t stop laughing.

For theatre, I’m excited about Potty the Plant and Silence, the unauthorised musical of Silence of the Lambs, and as a hardcore Agatha Christie fan I’m really interested in seeing ‘The Rats’, too. The Importance of Being… Ernest? and Defective Inspector are sure hits as well.

If you’d like to get more involved, I can’t recommend Massaoke and the Solve-a-long Murder She Wrote enough! I can’t get enough of these and I’ll be there again this year!

Have a great fringe and I hope to see you aboard the Locomotive for Murder!

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EdFringe Talk: Yozi: No Babies In The Sauna

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“The sheer volume and diversity of performances creates an elaborate and electric atmosphere that is utterly intoxicating, and honestly addictive.”

WHO: Yozi Mensch

WHAT: “Solo Edinburgh debutante, Aussie Yozi, has been called many things – ‘Dynamite’ ****½ (Advertiser), ‘Fearless’ **** (Age) – but never ‘rule breaker’, and for good reason. This by-the-book bad binch holds one rule above all others: every baby must get out of the sauna right now! Witness this multi award-winning creature perform absurd-sketch-clown-comedy-theatre like you almost definitely have never ever ever seen before. The House of Oz Purse Prize Winner, Adelaide Fringe. Spirit of the Fringe Award Winner, Melbourne Fringe. Winner of SACBA Bilby Award, South Australian Community Broadcasters Association.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Four (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 20:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my third time experiencing Edinburgh Fringe as a performer – but my first solo venture. The sheer volume and diversity of performances creates an elaborate and electric atmosphere that is utterly intoxicating, and honestly addictive. The magic of creating work spills out from the wings, off the stage, across the crowds and into the streets – allowing audiences to absorb this magic also – they are, and more importantly FEEL that they are apart of the process, the current cultural cycle, observing the zeitgeist at it’s core and taking whatever flashes they can recall back to their homes and sharing these memories with their loved ones, confident some will never be relieved, but hopeful some can.

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

Since 2023 I have learnt to be unapologetic about my stage presence, for who I am as a performer, and for the deliciously dumb things I find funny. I have learnt that embracing all my silly little quirks and qualms on stage is not only more personally fulfilling, but much more enjoyable for audiences. This intrinsically, for me at least, was tied to the fear of judgment – being seen as childish or other or difficult. Shedding this fear, which I think is still an ongoing process, has allowed for a deeper embrace of myself and my art.

And this is gonna sound obvious, or tacky even , but I’ve really learnt in the past year that the only person that you can rely on to 100% champion YOUR dream is yourself – others can and will help you, absolutely – but unless you’re putting everything you have into what you want and where you want to go, why would anyone else jump on that wagon and help you get there? No one else can engineer motivation for you. The only one who can jumpstart a clockwork furnace is for whom that engine ticks! Just in the last month of following my dream to be a “silly goose storyteller; creator of the dumb yet mysterious” has led me to quit my job, go to clown school in France and travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats with my 78 yr old Grandfather – this is not everyone’s path but it’s mine, and I don’t think 2023 me was ready to walk it.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called NO BABIES IN THE SAUNA – inspired by the adage “every sign has a story”; a rule with, quite literally, noteworthy origins. The titular rule however is pointedly vague – for whom and for why does this rule exist – who benefits from this being enforced – what did that baby do?

I wrote my show, and with every performance it evolves a little bit – new jokes find their way from “the moment” into the script in my head and they stay forever, or until usurped by a new “the moment” and so on.

I’ve just taken this show to Prague Fringe, where I played in a 600 year old cellar at the western end of Charles Bridge; a truly incredible atmosphere for a magnificently silly show. I picked up a 5 Star review and the Prague Fringe “Brian’s Life” Comedy Award – so I think it went down pretty well. Earlier in the year I took this show to both Perth and Adelaide Fringes – where I had minimal to maximal success, respectively. I would love to keep taking this show around the world, to be honest at this stage it feels like the show is taking me.

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

Michaela Burger’s new work The State of Grace is based on the moving true story of Australia’s best known sex-worker, activist and maverick Pippa O’Sullivan aka Grace Bellavue – an important new work based on the life of a truly incredible person who was determined to decriminalise the sex industry.

Messy Friends is a frenetic fraggle rock fever dream that will leave you buzzing and bouncing for more. Jaw dropping costumes, clever choreography and wildly talented performers! Gendermess Productions are ones to watch!!

The Ceremony at Summerhall is a show you will want to see again and again – an absolute whirlwind of theatre, improv and clown, Ben Volchok knits the show together from audience prompt and gentle guidance to create a serene yet hilariously moving ceremony for us all to partake in – or at least that was what I experienced, as this show is different every single night!!

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EdFringe Talk: Biscuit Barrel: Not Another 69-Sketch Show

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“The current accommodation crisis is especially challenging this accessibility.”

WHO: James Horscroft

WHAT: “‘Most reliable sketch group in the game’ **** (EdFringeReview.com). 69 sketches in an hour! Featuring slapstick and wordplay at break-neck speed. ‘An excellent comedy show’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Featuring DazzReviews, as seen on YouTube (500,000 subscribers; 100 million views). Following 1,700 tickets sold in 2023, the Barrel return for their fifth year at Edinburgh! This is the speed of TikTok put on a stage. ‘The hot, young comedy act you promised yourself’ **** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). ‘The hit-rate of their sketches is high’ (List).”

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

WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be our fifth full run of Edinburgh Fringe, meaning we will surpass 120 performances at the festival by the time we’re done. We’ve been going to Edinburgh since 2018, and have no plans to stop.

Edinburgh Fringe is a unique crossing point between independent arts and mainstream audience, which is an opportunity that is simply not available anywhere else to the same extent.

The best version of this festival is keeping an accessible platform for independent performers, which I celebrate. However, the current accommodation crisis is especially challenging this accessibility. Even we’ve been pushed an hour bus outside of the city. Some serious reform on this front is desperately needed; my 21-year-old self from 2018 wouldn’t have been able to go in this climate.

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

That persistence does pay off. Last year, we had record sales (for us) with 1,700 tickets sold across the festival, and over 2,300 tickets sold in total across 2023.

Consequently, this was the first year we were able to pay ourselves (properly) for the month’s work that we’d put in. It was an incredible moment, and just vindicated what the first five years of the group had been working towards.

It also taught us that you don’t need an evening slot to be successful. This was the first late-afternoon slot we’d ever gone with, and it proved to be our most successful production.

Tell us about your show.

‘Not Another 69-Sketch Show’ is a revamped version of our 2023 show, with a load of new sketches added into the bunch, as well as a brand new running story.

This will be the first year that ‘Biscuit Barrel’ will actually have sketches about biscuits, which is exciting. Specifically, Rich Tea has broken away from the pack in pursuit of proving that he is not the most boring biscuit.

I’m surprised just how many biscuits we’ve included, others being Custard Cream, Bourbon, Party Ring, Jammy Dodger, Fortune Cookie, Garibaldi, Oreo, Iced Gems, Club Bar and, yes, controversially a Jaffa Cake… Considering we’re a cast of five, it’s not bad going at all.

We’ve just done a sold-out preview in Bristol, next going to London and Durham before Edinburgh kicks off.

After Edinburgh, we have our most ambitious show yet at the 400-seat Theatre Royal Winchester. The group starting at the nearby university in 2016, it’s a fitting homecoming for such a huge project.

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

‘Burning Down The Horse’ may’ve been my favourite last year, and is the sort of show that I would love to make.

‘Locomotive for Murder’ was a Barrel-wide favourite from last year, so we’re really glad to see them back, as we also are with the awesome guys from ‘Potty the Plant’ who have TWO shows this year, the other being ‘Fringe the Musical’.

If you wanted a more thematic Fringe, you could see us one day and ‘A Jaffa Cake Musical’ the other day. We generally don’t endorse cake-related fraudsters, but this would be an exception.

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EdFringe Talk: Little Squirt

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I’m throwing myself into the mad chaos of it all with a superb team of thrill-seekers and theatre sweet-hearts.”

WHO: Darby James

WHAT: “Join Australian musical comedian Darby James for his multi-award-winning cabaret about the process of sperm donation. On this unforgettable voyage with all original songs, Darby clicks a Facebook ad and gets swept up on an hilarious, heartfelt adventure. As he navigates medical questionnaires, psychological evaluations and musings on potential parenthood, Darby finds himself stranded as a seaman in moral purgatory, facing the question: should we be having children? Winner of the Edinburgh Touring Award and Best Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe Festival 2023, and nominated for six Green Room Awards, Darby James dives headfirst into his international debut.”

WHERE: Summerhall – Anatomy Lecture Theatre (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 19:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my third jaunt to the glorious city of Edinburgh, and my first time performing at the Fringe. I visited on holiday in 2019 after my sister’s wedding. Then I was in town to get a taste of the festival last year. And this third time I’m throwing myself into the mad chaos of it all with a superb team of thrill-seekers and theatre sweet-hearts.

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

Holy hell, I’m a hop skip and a jump from who I was in 2023. I don’t think I’ve had such an emotional year since 2016. Eyes have been opened, calves have been cramped. High drama, high octane, radical self-reflection and probably a few litres of strawberry juice with mint. The rapid-fire chapters of the year have sped me through heartbreak, the payoff of hard work, and immense gratitude for the beautiful people in my life. I also learned what an epilator was. Ouch.

Tell us about your show.

My show Little Squirt is a tender queer one-man-musical thought-spiral through my experience of the sperm donation process in Melbourne as I explore the epic moral conundrum of reproduction. I wrote it and perform in it, and it’s being produced by Quiet RIOT who picked us up after seeing our premiere in Melbourne Fringe (where we won the Edinburgh touring award through Summerhall and Best Cabaret of the festival). After Edinburgh we’re locked in for a few dates outside of the UK and then we’re back home to Australia until the next adventure.

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

Audiences should see:

– Rob Madge: My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do) @robmadge02 Rob is a queer icon and I am desperate to see this show in all its glory at Fringe. Heart-mendingly good.

– Lou Wall: The Bisexual’s Lament @thelouwall Lou is a queer Aussie musical comedy powerpoint superstar. I saw their show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and it is exceptional.

– Mel & Sam: High Pony @melobrienn @samanthandrew Mel & Sam are the funniest queens of musical sketch comedy. Their chemistry is more addictive than meth and you’ll get more abs laughing in their show than you ever did from your mum’s Ab Circle Pro.

– Michelle Brasier: Legacy @michellebrasier Michelle Brasier is another Aussie musical comedy icon who’s vocal chops will catapult you into new dimensions. Jaw-to-the-floor hilarious, witty, brilliant, musically delicious.

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EdFringe Talk: The Ghost of White Hart Lane

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: Martin Murphy

WHAT: “Spurs and Scotland star John White was one of the best footballers of the 1960s, however, in July 1964 he was struck by lightning and killed at 27 years old. From humble beginnings growing up just outside Edinburgh, through to football fame and his tragic death, the play shares John’s cheeky humour. It also follows the story of his son Rob White, who was just five months old when his dad died. Having premiered at Spurs Stadium, this follows on from the Sunday Times bestseller by Rob White and Julie Welch.”

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

WHEN: 13:25 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 5th fringe. I was first up in 2011 with my musical comedy double act Pistol & Jack. We had an absolute rollercoaster. What makes the Edinburgh Fringe so special for me is that it creates microcosm. You basically experience what you normally would across 4 years in a concentrated intense 4 weeks of fun and mayhem.

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

Ha, did something happen in 2023 I should have learnt something from? In terms of lessons in general I try to accept the fact that I’ll make mistakes but not to make the same mistake twice. Every show I remember what didn’t work so well on the last project, and make sure I’m improving because of that.

Tell us about your show.

Rob White son of former Spurs legend John White approached me last year to write a play to mark 60 years since the passing of his dad, John White. John was one of the best players of the early 60s but in 1964 he was struck by lightning and killed aged just 27. As a massive Spurs fan myself, I grew up knowing his story and it’s been a massive honour to be tasked with putting it on stage. We were lucky enough to have the show at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for an exclusive anniversary preview show on July 21st which was the actual 60th anniversary, and we’re planning a London run after the Fringe. I’ve written and directed and the show’s produced by Bruised Sky Productions.

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

See Lynn Faces by Laura Horton, she’s a fantastic writer and an absolute inspiration to anyone looking to carve a career as a writer.

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EdFringe Talk: Abby Wambaugh: The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has completely changed the way I see what is possible in comedy.”

WHO: Abby Wambaugh

WHAT: “Abby awoke in hospital after a late miscarriage and, high on anaesthesia, decided to become a comedian. In this silly, goofy, heartfelt show Abby presents her best 17 ideas for her highly anticipated debut hour, including potential hits like Old Man Learns Parkour and a very long impression of the number nine. Funny Women finalist and co-host of Help Hole podcast alongside Sofie Hagen. ‘Reminiscent of Hannah Gadsby or Tig Notaro… Tackles what could be a thorny, complex subject with grace, underplayed charm and some great jokes’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Attic (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 19:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time doing an hour!!

I was in the Pleasance Reserve last year and did a split bill for a week the year before. Before that I had never even heard of it!! Now the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has completely changed the way I see what is possible in comedy.

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

I have really learned a lot about the joy you can get from failure since 2023- really being willing to try something the whole way. Also that if there’s something you want to say or do on stage but can’t figure out how you ever could- try just saying it!

Tell us about your show.

My show is called The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows and that is also the basic synopsis. It’s influenced hugely by all the kinds of shows I’ve seen at Edinburgh and how inspired I was to make so many different things after seeing so much. It’s also about the beginnings of things, and trying, and failing. Have you heard of that stuff? Great stuff, important stuff!

There is also a game I invented in High School called Yeast Infection. And the story of how I started doing stand up after a late miscarriage. For a while I thought the whole thing was about that part, but I think only a lot of it is.

My show is directed by Lara Ricote, who is an incredible and silly comedian, and also a very good friend who helps me stay on the right track with my mushy little goofy heart.

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

My director Lara Ricote has a terrific show you have to see called Little Tiny Wet Show (baptism)

Jin Hao Li is so surprising and surreal and sweet with hard edges and great t-shirts and is doing Swimming in a Submarine

Zoe Brownstone is sharp and gorgeous and has max laughs per min on stage and in life and has a great show called A Bite of Yours

Willy Robbins is a COMEDIAN YOU CAN TRUST and what a freakin goofball, get over there to With the Best Will in the World

Vlad Ilich lights up a freakin room and named his show Vladislav (Baby Don’t Hurt Me) which is already so so funny??

I say Josh Glanc every time to the point where he’s probably gunna notice and we don’t know each other well enough for that to not be weird. But he’s so fun and I want to make the audience feel like he does- like it’s a magic show but crucially without magic. But with magic, you know?

Flo and Joan are so funny and talented and also REAL LIVE SISTERS and have a musical I am dying to see called One Man Musical.

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EdFringe Talk: Kevin James Doyle: After Endgame

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“The whiskey [sic] in Scotland is worth the trip.”

WHO: Kevin James Doyle

WHAT: “After Endgame masterfully combines the strategic nuances of chess with the uproarious comedy of life. Doyle has a wealth of experience teaching over 6500 chess lessons in New York City. In this captivating hour filled with drama and intrigue, Doyle takes the audience on a journey across the world: flown to the vibrant city of Singapore at the behest of a mysterious investor, Doyle found himself imparting chess wisdom to some of the world’s wealthiest individuals. The tension rises as Kevin navigates these high-stakes players, both on and off the chessboard.”

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

WHEN: 17:05 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time at Edinburgh Fringe. I came in 2017 with a show called The 30 Year Old Virgin and it was the scariest experience to be on the flight heading over to this festival I had heard so much about. Wondering if anyone would come see my show, what reviews I would get, if I would make any friends. It turned out to be an incredible experience. Then 2019 was even better since I knew what to expect as far as flyering and how to get rest. Both of my shows have been filmed as comedy specials now, so I have found it a perfect place to perform, perfect material and then put it out into the world. And the whiskey [sic] in Scotland is worth the trip.

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

My first Fringe I procrastinated the writing of the show so much out of fear. This time, I started writing my show in January and performing it in February and have already performed it 20 times. I am excited for day 1 of performances at Fringe, instead of finding my footing after 5 or 6 performances.

Tell us about your show.

I have been working as a writer and comedian in New York City for over a decade and that entire time I have also been working as a chess instructor. I have taught over 6500 chess lessons and so this show is bringing together my 3 jobs in an exciting way. To use comedy and storytelling to teach the audience about chess and take them on an adventure, because this story is pretty wild, is a dream come true. I have been developing the show in small work in progress shows around a chess board, in comedy clubs around the US and a short run at the Soho Playhouse in New York City but it’s all to get ready for Fringe. And after Fringe I’d love to perform it anywhere will people will have me. Chess is a universally beloved game and this is a universal story that anyone can learn from and laugh at.

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

I saw Natalie Palamides in 2017 and she changed my perception on what comedy could be. She is returning with a show called Weer and I already bought my tickets. Also my friend Kyle Ayer’s has a show called ‘Hard To Say’ about a nerve disease he has been living with, he’s able to bring incredible amounts of humor to a heavy subject. I took a comedy essay writing class back in 2010 in New York City with Sara Barron, she was a wonderful teacher and a brilliant comedian so I will of course be seeing her show ‘Anything for You’.

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