Tag Archives: EdFringe

EdFringe Talk: Chopped Liver and Unions

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“Every festival is different, but none are on the scale of Edinburgh. What they have in common, though is the “spirit of the fringe” – a great feeling of camaraderie and support amongst the performers and shows.”

WHO: Lottie Walker

WHAT: “Sara Wesker – trade unionist, political activist and radical – led the singing strikers of 1928, to improve the working conditions of female garment workers in London’s East End. But her love of the cause battled with the love of her life. Which would win? And was it all worth it? A tale from a century ago but very much a play for today, this five-star reviewed, OffFest-nominated, one-woman play gives a vivid account of the life of a forgotten woman who should be revered as a working-class heroine.”

WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Studio (Venue 152) 

WHEN: VARIES (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Our company’s first EdFringe was back in 2018 and apart from the two years we don’t mention we’ve been back every year. It’s the biggest trade show for our industry in the world and the best way to get the show on the map. This is our second year with this show, which we’ve been developing since the 2023 Fringe. We think this is the final version!

Every festival is different, but none are on the scale of Edinburgh. What they have in common, though is the “spirit of the fringe” – a great feeling of camaraderie and support amongst the performers and shows. The sheer size of Edinburgh can be overwhelming and of course we’re all competing for audiences, reviews, etc… but there is comfort in knowing that we don’t suffer alone. All of us have extreme highs and lows during August and having that network to rely on is invaluable.

If we were only going to do one Fringe festival, especially for new work, it would have to be Edinburgh.

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

Well we’ve revamped the show and made some big artistic changes that went down well with New York audiences in May. We’ve also rethought our marketing plan – after a few years we think we’ve finally worked out what works for us. Which is not necessarily what works for others.

The benefit of working with other shows on cross-promotions can’t be overstated. Apart from selling tickets it’s resulted in further collaborations and really genuine friendships for us. We did more of this than ever before in 2023 and it paid dividends.

And the third thing (we all like things in threes don’t we!) is to take time out away from the madness. 2023 was the first year I deliberately took a proper day off and took myself away from the festival after 4pm when the show finished. It was a revelation. Even just an hour spent walking round the Meadows or in the National Museum made such a difference.

Tell us about your show.

We specialise in telling untold stories and Sara’s is a classic case of someone being written out of history. This election year (and the centenary of the first Labour government) it feels especially important to be shining a light on working class history and illustrating just how hard women and other minorities, despite some progress being made are still having to fight for their voices to be heard and how important it is for all of us workers to never be complacent. That all makes the show seem terribly “worthy”. It isn’t – it’s got a strong message and will make you think but it’s also full of humour. Sara led the “singing strikers” so of course we have music – it’s been a joy to hear audiences spontaneously join in with some of the songs too.

It’s an in-house production by my company, Blue Fire (I’m wearing two hats) and was written by J.J. Leppink, with whom we’ve collaborated twice before. Our director, Laura Killeen is a genius and has made us all fall a little bit in love with Sara. Musical direction is by James Hall who has been with us since our first Fringe in 2018.

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

This is such a tough question – there is SO much to see and with almost 4,000 shows across the month it can be difficult to fit everything is. This year I’m determined to be organised and book everything in advance (top tip – doing that allows you to factor in that all important free time too)

Anyway – can’t put it off any longer. You can’t go wrong with any of these. I might even see you there – I’ve booked for them all!

Chatterbox – Lubna Kerr
The Scot & the Showgirl – Frances Ruffelle & Norman Bowman
Ghostlight – Orange Works
22 (Brooke’s Version) – Brooke/36 Expressions
A Montage of Monet – Threedumb Theatre
Gruoch: Lady Macbeth – Burns Unit Productions
Gwyneth Goes Skiing – Awkward Productions
Light – Gerry Carroll

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EdFringe Talk: Twelfth Night Fever

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“What’s great about the Fringe is that it provides such a wide range of cultural experiences. It’s a real melting pot of talent and a privilege to rub shoulders with so many other artists and kindred sprits.”

WHO: David Aldred

WHAT: “‘If music be the food of love, play on… get on the dancefloor!’ Our fresh take on the bard’s gender-bending comedy, set to a disco soundtrack, will have you on your feet. This glitzy show is performed with singing and dancing by an all-male cast for that authentic Shakespearean experience. Featuring classic disco numbers including Night Fever, Rock The Boat, I Feel Love, Boogie Wonderland and That’s The Way (I Like It)… it’s a brand-new genre: Shakespeare Disco. From the same people that brought you last year’s Fringe Sell-Out Show Laurel winning smash-hit Rockbeth.”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Big (End On) (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 14:40 (70 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities, at any time of year, but especially during August for the Fringe, come rain, sunshine and rain again. I have been to the festival on many a tour – as both producer and punter, and in the company of friends, family and students. It’s a joy to have introduced so many young performers to the festival as a teacher of drama, director of theatre, and trip leader. What’s great about the Fringe is that it provides such a wide range of cultural experiences. It’s a real melting pot of talent and a privilege to rub shoulders with so many other artists and kindred spirits.

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

Last year, I brought Rockbeth, my modernised and musicalised adaptation of Macbeth, to the Fringe with a group who had never been before. We were an unknown company with new material and there was little fanfare. One of the few people to show an interest was Get Your Coats On – thank you! Anyway, despite fairly low expectations, the play must have hit a nerve because it became a smash-hit, winning a Fringe Sell-out Laurel and receiving excellent reviews to boot. Having come out of a difficult period, which had resulted in a completely new direction for me, that experience was so joyful and life affirming… I think to quote Ted Lasso, I learned to ‘believe’ again. Still believing… let’s do it again with Twelfth Night Fever.

Tell us about your show.

Twelfth Night Fever is my adaptation of Shakespeare’s gender-bending comedy with lots of disco music and dancing involved. As lovers of the bard’s comedies will know, you can expect in-jokes about boys dressing up as girls, mistaken identities, general confusion, and melodramatic conflict, but all ending happily with lovers coupled up. In other words, just like Love Island. In my version, the play ends with a massive dance off. Shakespeare is probably rolling his eyes somewhere.

Where did it all begin? After last year’s success with Rockbeth, we thought: let’s have another romp with a Shakespeare play. So far, we have performed Twelfth Night Fever to audiences at our school in Surrey and we are now transferring to Haslemere Hall, before taking it on the road to Edinburgh. We have had so much support and generosity along the way – with many kind sponsors making it possible for us to do the tour.

Our theatre company is More The Merrier and we are promoters of neurodiversity in the performing arts. All our performers are neurodiverse and have overcome many personal challenges to appear on stage at the world’s largest arts festival. We believe in the rich potential of the human spirit to triumph over adversity, and to take performance to the highest level, whatever the ability, regardless of neurodiversity. Our journey has taken us from the humble beginnings of a small stage in a specialist school in Surrey to the bright lights of the Edinburgh Fringe, and who knows where next?

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

Take a punt! There is so much on offer. It’s like an all-you-can-eat theatrical buffet. We will go and see as much as possible – from stand-up to musicals to improv to experimental theatre. A good way to discover stuff is to speak to other playgoers on the Mile and find out what’s got the buzz. That’s how Rockbeth got its audiences last year – the word-of-mouth buzz worked for us then and let’s hope we can do the same with Twelfth Night Fever. Plus if you like our show, then you should also enjoy Shakespeare For Breakfast, similar fare to ours but they also give you a croissant.

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EdFringe Talk: Mime Club

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“It’s full of chaos, clowning and psychical comedy with the simple aim of making people laugh!”

WHO: Oliver Fife-Nilsson

WHAT: “Sexy dads, vacuum cleaners, the German State Theatre… Welcome to Mime Club. Enjoy the pandemonium. From the minds of acclaimed idiots Jon and Ollie comes a new show packed with psychical comedy, chaos and clowning. Prepare yourself for an hour of multi award-winning sketches from the Jon and Ollie universe, each one more ludicrous than the last. Mime Club is a dream* come true for comedy lovers. *If your dreams are about Kenneth Branagh and houmous-loving fauns.”

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

WHEN: 14:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my fourth time at Edinburgh Fringe and I’m as excited as if it was my first! Edinburgh Fringe is THE arts fringe – the biggest, the best and the most diverse. You can come back with the same show and still have a new experience – there are always new audiences – or you can come back with a new show each time and every night can feel like the first night. It’s all fresh and new, and the community is a supportive one. For me, every year has been like a new experience. The last two years at Edinburgh I was part of a kids show, Strictly Barking, and this year I’ll be performing some alternative sketch comedy for MIME CLUB – a very different show with an adult audience in mind! I can’t wait to see how it will be received.

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

I want to say that I’ve learned to schedule myself better and will make a packed lunch every day this year, but I don’t know if I have yet! Last year I definitely tried to do both, but it takes just one night of ‘oh yeah, let’s stay and see this!’ to make you oversleep so you don’t have time to make food to bring with you so you have to visit Mosque Kitchen again for some delicious curry (which I love, but I think my bank balance does not! At least, after the 10th visit it doesn’t). We all know that being at the Fringe can be a bit pricey and I’d rather spend my budget on supporting fellow artists and creatives that on another vegan sausage roll. Everyone works so hard – and as I said before, Edinburgh is THE fringe to be at – so you want to make sure that people don’t miss their shot at touring and support them with a ticket to their show. It’s hard work and you want it to pay off for everyone.

Tell us about your show.

MIME CLUB is absurd, alternative sketch comedy show we’re performing at Gilded Balloon in the Patterhoose. It’s a new show having previewed at Glasgow Comedy Festival in March this year. MIME CLUB is totally mad – think dinosaurs, sexy dads, the German State Theatre and vacuum cleaners and you’ll still never guess what’s going to happen next. It’s full of chaos, clowning and psychical comedy with the simple aim of making people laugh!

This year we were amazingly grateful to be a Keep It Fringe funding recipient from the Edinburgh Fringe Society. It’s genuinely humbling to see them have faith in MIME CLUB. Now we just want to show them that it was all worth it!

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

There are so many things people should see but some highlights include – I am Claire Parry, we met while studying at Jacques Le Coq and I can’t wait to see their new standup show and Just Aretha at Greenside. My wife performed with her previously and saw an early piece of the show – it’s a self-biographical tale of what it really means to be a black woman living with disability in the UK, with a good amount of humour too! I’ve also got to recommend Old Man at Summerhall, performed by my colleague Jon (and I directed it!) for his funny yet moving performance (only on until 11th August so don’t miss it!), as well as MUSH by Jeromiah Detto (Underbelly) for an hour of clowning fun. Sam Blythe’s hour-long one-man-show of Hamlet, Method in my Madness, is something I am looking forward to seeing at Assembly, as well as Josh Glanc: Family Man, which is a new show performing at Monkey Barrel. He’s an amazing comic and I can only imagine that his latest show will be as brilliant as his previous ones. Also – John-Luke Roberts is going ALL TEN of his previous shows and I recommend all of them.

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EdFringe Talk: UK Pun Off

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“It’s a great festival because there is something for everyone, and now I get to perform in it!”

WHO: Stevie Vegas

WHAT: “The hit online show UK Pun Off has made the transition to a live show and is coming to Edinburgh! Four top comics will have three jokes on different topics and it is up to the audience to decide the winner of each round to crown the winner. We also look for the audience’s best puns on each of the topics to be read out at the end of each round and prizes are up for grabs for the audience member with the best pun. ‘Exceptional’ (NottsComedyReview.wordpress.com). Winner of Best Panel Show 2022 (Late Stage Comedy).”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ City Cafe – Nineties (Venue 85) 

WHEN: 13:10 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been attending EdFringe as a punter for over 20yrs now. My favourite time of the year, especially as I now live in England. I get to move back home with my Parents in Stirling and travel in each day! It’s a great festival because there is something for everyone, and now I get to perform in it!

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

I performed twice on the UK Pun Off show last year. I have won it since at Leicester Comedy Festival, so I have an idea how better to present my jokes to the audience this time round!

Tell us about your show.

The UK Pun Off is hosted by the punderful Iain MacDonald, who is doing the full-run.

It features 4 punsters who have been given 4 topics in advance (eg Sport, America, Winter, Drinks), and they each get to tell 3-4 jokes on each topic. After each topic, the audience clap and vote for their favourite punster, and whoever wins the most rounds… wins! Different topics and different lineups each day.

I am competing from 16-25 August as that’s the dates that I am up for (after the shows, I’ll head out and enjoy watching loads more shows as a regular punter!)

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

They should go and see Iain MacDonald’s Around the World in 80 Puns. They should grab the leaflets from the 4 punsters who have competed in the UK Pun Off on that day, and consider seeing their shows also! You will find many of these one-liner comedians also taking part in “Aaaaaaaaaaargh! It’s the One Liner Show” (this doesn’t have a twitter address, but I want to give it a big shout out!)

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EdFringe Talk: Chelsea Birkby: This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky

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“In the buzz of it all it struck me that part of the magic of the fringe is that instead of that energy being generated for one superstar, it’s being generated for hundreds of performers, many of whom you’ve never heard of.”

WHO: Chelsea Birkby

WHAT: “Following her award-winning debut and sell-out run, Chelsea Birkby’s back with a meditation on lust for life. Playfully combining pop culture and philosophy in this smart and silly show unpacking being in the moment, desire and also ass. ‘Very funny… There’s a sharp mind behind the sweet exterior’ **** (Telegraph). ‘Brilliant… Hugely promising and already accomplished’ **** (Scotsman). ‘A real star’ ****½ (Sunday Post). ‘Deceptively smart’ **** (Fest). Amused Moose Best Debut 2022. Comedian’s Choice Best Show Nominee. Best Jokes 2022 (Telegraph, Times). Writer on Mock the Week. Ass seen on BBC Three.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Out of the Box (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 21:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I just got off the LNER back from Edinburgh! I was lucky enough to get tickets for Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour (How? I sold 4 kidneys). It was magical, life-affirming and kinda unhinged- the shows triggered earthquake monitors! As a fringe goer, it was funny walking around town because, for a second, you could imagine it was August with the festival in full swing, just with more cowboy hats, bejewelled bodysuits and ‘tay-keaway frose’. But in the buzz of it all it struck me that part of the magic of the fringe is that instead of that energy being generated for one superstar, it’s being generated for hundreds of performers, many of whom you’ve never heard of.

Last time I brought a show, it was my debut. I didn’t know what to expect or who would come! So I was over the moon to have busy rooms, lovely reviews and even leave with an award and a nomination! That’s only possible because a bunch of comedy fans liked the cut of my jib, thought ‘sure, why not’ and came to see me in my cave! That makes the fringe so special – I can’t wait to wander into pub function rooms and lecture halls and see what people have come up with to share with us!

This time I’m returning with show two. I also don’t know what to expect!

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

I didn’t set a New Year’s resolution this year because I’ve stuck to one in my life. I’m no stats expert, but that’s not a good hit rate. For 2024, I chose a word of the year: motion. I noticed that a lot of words about depression are frozen: ‘stuck in a rut’, ‘standstill’, ‘slump’ . Motion felt like the answer! And if it’s come as a surprise to you reading this that I’ve been depressed, can I remind you that in this interview alone you’ve discovered I’m a stand-up comedian and a Taylor Swift fan (she’s emo at heart, if you know, you know).

‘Motion’ has been so liberating. Somedays, I think ‘motion’ and go for a walk (turns out it’s good for your mental health, boo). Thinking ‘motion’ gave me the confidence to give up on books I’m two-thirds through because I’m just not invested in the plot (sorry, the Dictionary). And ‘motion’ has meant I’ve followed the flow of my writing, even when it leads somewhere I wasn’t expecting. Did I intend to write so much about this horse I met? NO! Did I intend to write about the meaning of ass in today’s society? No. But here we are.

Tell us about your show.

My show’s called ‘This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky’. It’s an hour of stand-up about not intellectualising everything and instead living in my body in the moment. And I do that by … intellectualising everything 🙂

I’m taking direction from Dan Emery and Molly Stacey, who are almost painfully perceptive hehe. I really trust them. They’ve encouraged me not to pull back from being silly and spontaneous, spotting my fear that it’s somehow “not allowed” in a finished show. And I’m on a mission not to be apologetic about my jokiest jokes and most smarty-pants stuff. As a result, the show is extra vulnerable, silly and cerebral!

I’m returning to the Caves with Just the Tonic. I love those rooms they’re just pure fringe. I’m in a bigger one for show two- scary/ exciting! Just a few more work-in-progress shows in June and July before stopping off at Tebay en route to Cowgate! Where it takes me after, we’ll see!

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

Grubby Little Mitts. They’re a sketch duo who get up to lots of mischief. Unabashedly silly and their chemistry is electric. Plus Rosie is a hair icon!

Louise Atkinson – I missed her first show and won’t make that mistake this time!

I can’t wait to see Olga Koch’s new show, she’s just the whole package.

I think this is gonna be Celya AB’s best yet, I’m so excited by what she’s talking about.

And if philosophy has caught anyone’s eye, one of my fringe faves is Stand-up Philosophy with Alex Farrow: comedians tackling the biq questions with big laughs, different lineups every day.

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EdFringe Talk: Old Man

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

“The fringe community is a generous one, we’re all here to create and share art and comedy – I suppose trying to find a balance between pacing yourself and supporting others is what I need to learn. Or maybe I should just schedule things further ahead! That’s a problem for Future Jon.”

WHO: Jon Tilley

WHAT: “Turn on the radio, have a cup of tea – and don’t forget to take your pills! Get ready for an action-packed journey through the imagination of a playful, solitary old man as he discovers treasured memories of raising his late son. Mischievously recreating childlike memories with an undercurrent of grief, Old Man is a masterpiece of modern clowning, where the anguish of loss is beautifully juxtaposed with innocent joy. This show is non-verbal, and blends physical theatre, clowning and mime. Winner of the Brian’s Life Award, Prague Fringe 2023. Directed by Oliver Fife-Nilsson, produced by Ellen Fife-Nilsson.”

WHERE: Summerhall – Red Lecture Theatre (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, this will be my fifth time at Edinburgh Fringe and every year has been unique! I performed with university people way back when and then, the second year (2019) I was part of the Latebloomers performing Scotland! with Ollie Fife-Nilsson and Sam Dugmore. Then in 2022 and 2023 I was performing Attenborough and his Animals with Clownfish Theatre and in 2023 I was also performing with mine and Ollie’s company, Jon & Ollie for our kids show Strictly Barking at Gilded Balloon. The variety is one of the things that makes Edinburgh Fringe stand out as the world’s best fringe festival for both audience and performers – no two years are the same! This year I’ll be performing a solo show at Summerhall, Old Man, and also am part of a sketch comedy show called MIME CLUB.

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

Something I’m trying to learn (and might learn one day!) is how to pace myself. Having been part of multiple shows for multiple years – which I’m doing again this year – requires a lot of stamina both mentally and physically. Plus there is sometimes pressure when performing at fringe festivals to not miss out on anything and support fellow artists – you want to see everything, meet everyone, catch up with friends and make new connections. This year Old Man is on for 11 shows and MIME CLUB is on for 16, both in the first half of the fringe, so I’m not doing the full run as a performer this year (but still am in talks to tech things!). Maybe I am learning to pace myself?! But supporting everyone is crucial for me. The fringe community is a generous one, we’re all here to create and share art and comedy – I suppose trying to find a balance between pacing yourself and supporting others is what I need to learn. Or maybe I should just schedule things further ahead! That’s a problem for Future Jon.

Tell us about your show.

Old Man is a piece of non-verbal theatre that uses clowning, mime and physical comedy to explore play, grief, loneliness and storytelling. It’s a solo show that follows a nameless old man as he searches through a box of his absent son’s belongings, rejoicing in happy memories of parenthood and mischievously recreating childlike memories. But there is an undertone of grief lies beneath the surface, which leaves the audience with tears of laughter, sadness and a longing for family connections.

I created this piece with Ollie Fife-Nilsson, the other half of Jon & Ollie, who also directed the show. We met while studying at Jacques LeCoq in Paris in 2015 and formed our duo company during the pandemic. Jon & Ollie shows are produced by Ellen Fife-Nilsson. So far Old Man has won the Brian’s Life Comedy Award and the Catania Off-Fringe Award, both at Prague Fringe in 2023. We’ve since taken the show to Italy, England and Scotland and are looking forward to see where it can go next!

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

Of course, if Old Man doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, MIME CLUB is unhinged absurdist comedy sketches showing at Gilded Balloon. Also The Ceremony by Ben Volchok at Summerhall (I’d try and avoid spoilers but every show is different!), Murder She Didn’t Write is a terrific improvised classic murder mystery and Motorboat by Mel McGlensey is hilariously naughty, both showing at Assembly. I’m always a fan of Elf Lyons’ comedy shows and can’t wait to see Horses at the Pleasance, and if you missed out on seeing Jeromaia Detto’s MUSH last year you’ve been given a second chance to see it at Underbelly which I highly recommend.

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EdFringe Talk: Milo Edwards: How Revolting! Sorry to Offend

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“I’ve always kind of eschewed marketing as inimical to the endeavour of being in the arts and especially to being funny BUT we live in a brave new world and market ourselves we must.”

WHO: Milo Edwards

WHAT: “Milo is sick of it all. Disgusted with the state of things. No, thank you. Everything is getting worse. In 2023 he got a temporary tattoo on his arse. Award-winning comedian Milo Edwards returns to the fringe with a show about class, Britain, common decency and cum… and other revolting things that are best not talked about. ‘Edwards has quietly become one of the UK’s smartest, most vital stand-ups’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Near perfect’ ***** (TheWeeReview.com). ‘Milo Edwards’ comedy is a little like marmalade’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Best Show nominee Leicester Comedy Festival (2023 and 2024).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515) 

WHEN: 17:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, if anything I’ve been too many times at this point – the sixth-formers I saw perform a groundbreaking version of Hamlet set in the trenches of WW1 probably all have receding hairlines now.

But anyway I keep coming back, it’s a great time to really focus on my passion for late-night kebabs.

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

I think one of the biggest things I’ve taken on board since 2023 is how important marketing is (snore). I’ve always kind of eschewed marketing as inimical to the endeavour of being in the arts and especially to being funny BUT we live in a brave new world and market ourselves we must. So this year you can expect a much higher production value Marc Jacobs-esque: Milo Edwards Presents: Milo in association with Milo Edwards by Milo Edwards.

Tell us about your show.

This show ‘How Revolting! Sorry to Offend’ is a show about class in Britain and how we the British, including me (Milo Edwards as mentioned earlier) find it disgusting. The show focuses both on me (Milo Edwards) and the things that happen to me, but also on the general state of affairs in the UK and the much, correctly, maligned field of ‘politics’.

The show has yet to premiere due to not being finished, but hopefully we’ll take care of that before the Fringe – and then maybe Australia in 2024 if it’s any good. Directed as always by the excellent Delyth Jones and produced by Ingenious Fools.

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

Honestly there are too many to list but you must go and see (in no particular order):
Olga Koch, Pierre Novellie, Aidan Jones, Erika Ehler, Chris MacArthur Boyd, Huge Davies, Ollie Horn and so many others I have forgotten.

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EdFringe Talk: J.E.N.

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“You can have next to no audience for a full three week run, and then happen to be seen by the one right person who ends up launching your career to the next level on your last day.”

WHO: Jennifer Kehl

WHAT: “Jen’s Evolution is Nigh: One woman. One TikTok challenge. Seen through the millennia. Popularised by TikTok, “get ready with me” morning videos showcase people’s daily morning rituals through a quick-cut social media lens. But how would these routines differ for a medieval peasant, a Fifties housewife, or a CEO of the future? This commentary on the hilarity of the human race shows the evolution of one woman’s morning routine as seen throughout history – from the Stone Age to the apocalypse.”

WHERE: Paradise in The Vault – The Annexe (Venue 29) 

WHEN: 16:15 (45 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Though I have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe before, this is my first time bringing a self-produced solo show. The Ed Fringe is truly unique if you are a performing artist. You can have next to no audience for a full three week run, and then happen to be seen by the one right person who ends up launching your career to the next level on your last day. Or you can luck out and get a five-star review in your first week and have sold-out crowds for your entire run. Or you can absolutely crash and burn and have to cancel all your shows because a million people take your flyers but nobody shows up at show time. The Ed Fringe is a gamble and a hustle and the most terrifying, exhausting, and wonderful experience in the entire world.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

For the 2022 Fringe, I had the cushy job of simply being “actor.” Of course, I was out flyering and advertising for the show I was with, but I did not have to do any of the intense marketing. This year presented a truly steep learning curve in terms of the producing and advertising side of things. I completely underestimated how active you have to be on social media and how difficult it is to get reviewers in to come see your show if you haven’t lucked out in the first week with a notable media outlet. We still haven’t received any professional reviews despite some rave audience reviews and non-stop TikTok videos, and I have to be honest – if my boyfriend didn’t have a Twitter account, our show would really be struggling at this point. It’s all about the social media folks! I have definitely learned how to be more confident in terms of flyering, starting conversations, and sending non-stop emails to press. Most importantly, I have learned that it is truly exhausting and distracting to have to do all of this other stuff and THEN have to go on and perform every day with 100% energy. It’s a feat, and I highly recommend coming with a team if possible.

Tell us about your show.

I’m a third year MFA student studying theatre at Rose Bruford college just outside of London. Part of my education involved spending time at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, where I met the brilliant writer and director Rachel Ropella. We definitely sparked working together at school and so when I approached Rachel asking if she’d like to work on a climate change-themed play to take to the Ed Fringe, I was delighted when she accepted. Rachel and I spent a few months over Zoom doing historical research and writing the play together, and through Rachel’s Minnesota-based company Melancholics Anonymous, J.E.N. was born. We bounced quite a few ideas around in the early days, but the one that stuck was the concept of ridiculous social media trends like the popular “get ready with me” morning routine and what that would have looked like throughout history. Our show uses this concept to explore (in a light-hearted way) how “trending” practices throughout history have led us to where we are today in terms of climate change. The Edinburgh Fringe marks the premiere of J.E.N. and we hope to have a future with the show – though we are currently trying to just survive Edinburgh before determining what happens next.

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

Oh gosh, I’ve seen SO much good theatre this year… here are some of my favourites. For sketch comedy / circus weirdness, “Laser Kiwi – Rise of the Olive” had me in stiches, awe, and wonder, and the performers are super nice to boot. I saw and participated in the most incredible small venue magic / theatre show called “It’s Magic, But Is It Art?” Which was part monologue, part art history lesson, and part intimate magic incredibleness (is that a word?) “Adaptation: Enough Already” REALLY spoke to me as a woman who often feels herself overwhelmed with the people pleasing. It was beautiful and heart-felt and had great, live music. “Klanghaus: InHaus” was just a really cool immersive room with some rockin’ live music and insane projections which I loved (they provide ear coverings for the audience if it’s too loud!)”Chicken” was a bizarre and truly delightful solo show that was just so different from all the other solo shows out there – it’s highly recommended. If you want something slightly funny but also sobering and beautiful, go see “Afghanistan is Not Funny.” Finally, I’ll say that I did the little outdoor escape game through Agent November called “Major X Ploe-Shun” which was actually super fun even though we didn’t solve it in time and all got a button that said “I exploded.” I could go on forever – get out there and see some shows!

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EdFringe Talk: Shoot the Cameraman

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“The help of our host organisation, Assembly, has been invaluable. We learnt a lot about what participating in the fringe entails in terms of the company’s strategic development.”

WHO: Baptiste Hilbert

WHAT: “Shoot the Cameraman. Blend the instinctive and spontaneous quality of live performance with the possibilities of the seventh art by joining camera operators with live dancers on stage. The audience will thus be offered a permanent double reading of the piece and have the opportunity to simultaneously attend a live performance on stage and on screen.”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy – Central (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, and it’s also the first time that Luxembourg has sent an official showcase.

The Fringe is a real experience for us because it gives us another insight into how the market works across the Channel. The cultural market works in a different way here and it’s very important for our future international sales strategies to understand how the different sectors work.

It’s also an ideal opportunity to confront our work with a new multi-disciplinary audience who aren’t particularly used to contemporary dance.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Preparing for the Fringe was laborious for us, given that this was our first experience we didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into. The help of our host organisation, Assembly, has been invaluable. We learnt a lot about what participating in the fringe entails in terms of the company’s strategic development. Targeting and making contact with professionals and the press, as well as the importance of well-established communication.

Over the last few months the company has also been working on several other projects for the 24/25 season.

A brand new creation, “Mary’s daughters”, is currently being created and will premiere in Luxembourg during the 25/26 season.

And more recently on the third edition of our dance festival “Plate-Forme AWA” for young European choreographic creation and the bringing together of dance amateurs and professionals. This will take place in February 2024 and will include workshops and masterclasses for amateur and professional dancers, as well as two evenings of performances at the Luxembourg choreographic centre (TROIS C-L) and the Kinneksbond Theatre in Mamer.

Tell us about your show.

Shoot the cameraman was co-written by Catarina Barbosa and myself (Baptiste Hilbert).
We are co-artistic directors of the dance company AWA As We Are (LU).

AWA is a company that works on a project basis and we always put together a team that we know and with whom we have infinite contact in everyday life.

The show is co-produced by some of Europe’s leading dance structures, such as Les Théâtres De La Ville De Luxembourg, CCN des Ballets du Rhin, ….

This is a production for 2019/2020, just in time for the Covid crisis. We have nevertheless managed to tour the show for a few exceptional dates after the crisis, such as Teatros Del Canal in Madrid in October 2022.

The Fringe represents a final opportunity for us to disseminate this work and make contact with any interested organisations.

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

As a dance company, we’d like to unofficially encourage you to check out Dance Base in Grassmarket. The programme is rich and varied, with works that perfectly reflect the different current inspirations in contemporary dance.

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EdFringe Talk: Ada Campe: Naval Gazing

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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: Ada Campe

WHAT: “Ahoy! Sail away with cabaret legend and variety artiste Ada Campe for an adventure on the high seas – and a show that puts the merry in maritime, the naughty in nautical and the oar in awesome! ‘Ada Campe made me laugh more than anyone on the circuit for years. Genius.’ (Sandi Toksvig). ‘Fabulous’ (ScotsGay). ‘Very funny’ (Guardian). ‘A real original and with irrepressible funny bones’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A marvellous teller of tall tales’ (Scotsman). ‘Totally bonkers, totally brilliant, totally booming unmissable’ (Basil Brush). http://www.adacampe.com”

WHERE: The Stand’s New Town Theatre – Studio (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 14:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my 6th Edinburgh and my 4th year at The Stand’s New Town Theatre! This year it definitely feels busier than 2022 on the streets, but nowhere near as vibrant as 2019.

As ever one of my very favourite things about performing at Edfringe is getting to work with chums and meeting new chums whilst doing spots on compilation cabaret, comedy, variety and magic shows. There’s just so much talent and joy out there, and cabaret folk are the nicest, sparkliest people to work with in my experience.

I stay in the New Town so am very grateful that the tram extension has finally opened – and although there are still plenty of roadworks going on the city traffic feels less congested than it did last year. I love walking back to my digs after a late night show on a clear night, watching the seagulls swooping around looking for drunk people who are being careless with their chips.

For me the variety of shows at Edfringe is the absolute best. There’s always something extraordinary to see and be part of. I love the willingness of audiences to take a punt and to be spontaneous, and for those that are prepared to escape the Old Town and venture to the New Town there are lots of goodies to be found. Don’t be George Square – be George Street!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Last year’s show Ada Campe: Too Little, Too Soon was forged in the COVID times and so was necessarily less interactive than this current one or my previous show Ada Campe and the Psychic Duck. There was of course still fun interaction and a bit of magic, but the focus was more on the storytelling.

Whilst stuck at home I’d been delving into queer histories of theatre folk, particularly those of the women in my family, and found a love story which would go on to become the heart of the show. This was a new direction for me, and I was thrilled with how much the audience engaged with that love story, and how moved they were at the end of the show.

The biggest thing I learned was how easy it is to shock an audience with a story about a pleasurable one-night stand between two middle aged women! I expected a Fringe-going comedy audience to be unflusterable, but when I said that during that encounter “she rummaged for my clitoris with the enthusiasm of a truffle hound” the reaction was always hilarious! I don’t think people expected it from me – and it delighted and surprised them. It delighted and surprised me too 😉

Tell us about your show.

My show this year is Ada Campe: Naval Gazing. It’s an adventure on the high seas, a joyful hour of nautical titting about, and lots and lots of fun! There’s magic, an inflatable seal called Celia, prizes to be won, and a very special surprise prop I made myself. I’m wearing an incredible hat from Fishheadhats which is worth the price of entry alone to see up close, and having the most fantastic time encouraging my audiences to be playful and silly. The tech team at The Stand’s New Town Theatre are, as ever, wonderful – and my two techs this year Uncle Fraser and Uncle Josh are a joy to work with.

There were only a few previews before Edfringe began – including one very fun one at The Magic Circle in London – so the show as it is now has really been shaped by the fabulous Edfringe audiences. I’d like to take it to other places after the Fringe and need to put some feelers out about that… hopefully there’ll at least be a couple of performances in London in the autumn. Follow me on social media to be the first to find out news!

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

Gosh, so many to recommend, and I’m bound to leave off lots of lovely folk from this list by accident so apologies in advance.

For top magic stuff – definitely seek out Charlie Caper, Griffin and Jones, Magic Arron, Chris Cook, Tom Brace, David Alnwick, and the Absurd Panel Show run by Ava Beaux and Kane and Abel.

Cabaret shows – Magic Faraway and the Lock-In Cabaret (both at the Voodoo Rooms) are an absolute must! Blues and Burlesque features the excellent Belle de Beauvoir who I know from the London cabaret scene. If you’ve never been to ACMS at Monkey Barrel you are missing out. The Creative Martyrs are an Edfringe staple for me – it doesn’t feel like the Fringe has begun until I’ve seen them. Kaisa Ling Thing is an Estonian singer and performer you should seek out. Frank Lavender’s show made me cry with laughter, and Flat and the Curves are just incredibly talented.

Stand ups – Sikisa, Yuriko Kotani, Sam See, Vix Leyton, Alexis Dubus, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Sarah Keyworth, Shelf, Marjolein Robertson, Mary Bourke, Rachel Creeger, Kate Smurthwaite, Adele Cliff, Robin Ince, James Nokise.

Other – Susan Morrison’s walking tour, Jody Kamali, Tom Crosbie’s always excellent nerding, John Robertson’s The Dark Room, The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas, The Comedy Arcade, Julia Masli, and the wonderful Lucy Stevens as Gertrude Lawrence.

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