Tag Archives: EdFringe

‘The Elephant in the Room’ (Assembly Rooms, Powder Room, until AUG 27)

Posted in 5*, EdFestivals, EdFestivals 2022, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“Shetty’s vigorous physical style, expressive face, and radioactive eyes draw the audience into the action as she regularly makes direct eye-contact with everyone in the auditorium.”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars (Outstanding)

After a very successful tour of the USA including the prestigious Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, this is the Fringe debut for a lively and engaging one-woman play, written and performed by Priyanka Shetty. Here for just the one week in a smallish studio auditorium in a marquee on George Street, be prepared for the driving force of Ms Shetty’s electrifyingly physical performance.

The seemingly autobiographical story tells of what it’s like to grow up in India as a young girl and then defy your family to try and make it as an actress as “a brown girl in Trump’s America”. Shetty’s vigorous physical style, expressive face, and radioactive eyes draw the audience into the action as she regularly makes direct eye-contact with everyone in the auditorium. There is much humour at the expense of the stereotypical features of a female south Asian upbringing: aggressively aspirational parents, judgemental aunts, religion (sometimes in the shape of the elephant-god Ganesha), and Bollywood movies.

Shetty makes full use of the small stage and basic set to vividly re-enact her story in a number of physical styles, including everything from yoga to Bollywood dance and song. As the show progresses, the emotional tone gradually changes from one of youthful optimism underscored by the heartaches of family life and romance, to the stark realities of the American theatre audition circuit. Shetty’s wry depiction of the serial rejections that can be experienced will raise a rueful smile to any fellow Fringe actors seeing this show. As an Asian woman, she often refers to her “otherness”, sometimes self-deprecatingly, sometimes not. This aspect of her life doubles as a significant factor in her own life story and a revealing perspective on everyone else from the perspective of an outsider.

Single-actor shows are quite common at the Fringe, but this one stuck in the mind for me due to Shetty’s often almost conversational delivery. At no time did it seem like a stagey dramatic monologue; rather someone I’d just met showing me the story of their life. Use of props and time-consuming costume changes are sensibly kept to a minimum to maintain pace and story development.

The phrase from which the show takes its title is a common metaphor for embarrassing problems which everyone knows exist, but are scared to mention. After one or two red herrings along the way, we’re left in no doubt at the end by Shetty’s now angry tone what the identity is of this particularly problematic pachyderm – I won’t spoil things for you by giving it a name. This show is only on until the end of this week, so:

Come for the elephant. Stay for a whirlwind performance. Leave having seen a great Fringe debut. So get your coats on and go see this!

 

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‘Earwig’ (Assembly Rooms, Front Room, until AUG 27)

Posted in 5*, EdFestivals, EdFestivals 2022, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“The three energetic performers beetle away to pack a lot of fun into an hour’s traffic on the stage.”

Editorial Rating:  Stars (Outstanding)

Whilst perhaps not the most attractive of titles, this is one of the most unusual and interesting pieces of theatre I’ve seen at this year’s Fringe. After successfully touring throughout the UK, Manchester-based theatre company Time and Again bring us the quirky story of entomologist Marigold Webb, whose deafness excludes her from conversations not directly before her face.

Laura Crow’s script makes much use of insect life as metaphor, with characters being likened to wasps, hornets, golden tiger beetles, and the like. The production by directors Catherine Cowdrey and Samantha Vaughan offers an hour that is both entertaining and informative without taking itself too seriously. Robyn Greeves anchors the show as the protagonist, calmly and wryly narrating the difficulties faced in the 1920s by a woman who is not only deaf, but trying to make her way in the male-dominated scientific world. Adam Martin-Brooks first comes across as a Bertie Woosterish toff, but as the play progresses he mutates into Marigold’s domineering and abusive husband. Beth Nolan gives eye-catching performances as both Marigold’s down-to-earth mother and as Bryony Varden, the very personification of a flighty jazz-age flapper. A projection screen at the back of the set is used very much as if it were another character, with its captions often interacting with both the cast and the audience.

This is also a very visual and physical piece of theatre. One of the high points was a vividly choreographed set piece between Marigold and Bryony supposedly reading quietly in a library. Their exchanged looks, messages, and attempts to ignore each other and do some studying are expressed with increasingly terpsichorean verve and at one stage even break into a Charleston. Along with the screen captions, the pacy action often has the feel of a silent movie of the era in which the play is set. Throughout the action, we are subtly reminded of Marigold’s deafness and the problems it causes in a number of inventive and dramatically effective ways.

Performed in a smallish black-box auditorium in George Street, this is a little gem of a play, with the three energetic performers beetling away to pack a lot of fun into an hour’s traffic on the stage. Come for the entomology. Stay for the Charleston. Leave with ants in your pants and a spring in your step. Get your coats on and beetle along to see this!

 

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EdFringe Talk: Ideation

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“Aside from the flattery, we want you to talk about our play because that is what it’s about.”

WHO: Lowenna Wagstaff: Company Artistic Director

WHAT: “Hypothetically speaking, if you were in a boardroom with a ticking clock, the survival of humanity on your shoulders and a growing sense of a darker reality, would you succeed… no matter what? A group of corporate consultants battle morality and mystery with logic in this hilariously dark play. Do hypothetical actions have very real consequences? Is everything just as it seems and how do you know that? Can we trust you to let the paranoia sink in, as comedy and thriller distort the truth of this hypothetically real Ideation!”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 38) 

WHEN: 13:20 (80 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our first time to Edinburgh as both a company and a production and, while it has been a LOT of work alongside our degrees at Exeter, it has been worth every minute of sweat, tears and (thankfully no) blood. The Edinburgh Fringe offers a completely different environment to our previous Exeter venues in which we can spark the play’s discussion around the “delineation between fact and fantasy.” With its sheer number of people and perspectives, this venue allows us to instigate the ripple of enquiry that the play demands: what do we know, what don’t we know, and who is in control? We hope that this will continue past our audiences and into the wider crowd at Fringe. Aside from the flattery, we want you to talk about our play because that is what it’s about.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest thing we have learned is adaptability. Having had our slot at the Space booked since 2019, EUTCo’s trip to Fringe has been a longgg time coming but we have certainly stuck with it. Due to restrictions, our Fringe show last year was re-organised to be performed in an Exeter festival instead, and in 2020, we didn’t get further than online performances. But, we remained adaptable, and this has only strengthened our practice as a company to deliver intimate, small-scale productions with high-quality acting on our way back to perhaps larger spectacles.

Tell us about your show.

Our director Chlöe Hallsworth first came across and read the script (by Aaron Loeb and published in 2016) about four years ago. As a play that is not widely known in the UK, Chlöe was excited by the possibilities that could take it from page to stage. When the opportunity to pitch it as a Fringe play for Exeter University Theatre Company came about, it had to be done. Although produced by EUTCo, the production company is made up of students across various years and degrees, some of whom have just graduated having never studied drama! As such, our previous performances were local to Exeter but we are thrilled with the reception we’ve been receiving in Edinburgh and hope that our team will continue with their talent and abandon their seemingly safe(?) career path from a history degree.

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

There are so many brilliant shows here this year and Show Me What You’re Maid Of and the Last Words are just two of our fellow groups from Exeter (us, biased…?). But new company favourites from further North for have been ‘When We Were Normal,’ Leaves on the Line,’ and ‘Careless’. All five shows (and our own!) have brilliantly strong female minds behind them and are putting raw, thoughtful characters on stage. Plus, they’ve been friendly faces amongst the chaos!

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EdFringe Talk: REDEEMher – How I Screwed Up My Perfect Mormon Life

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“This is truly a full-circle moment for me to be bringing such a personal story to Ed Fringe. I will never forget this.”

WHO: Tatum Langton

WHAT: “Tatum, a university student, becomes the virgin bride of her sweetheart, entering an eternal marriage in the the Mormon church. Her big dream is to move to London with her husband but years begin to slip by, and so does London. The pressures of marriage, money and their Mormon community, the couple gets into discord. Dejected, Tatum becomes vulnerable to the overtures of another man. After just one night of illicit sex, Tatum is plunged into a deep well of guilt, sorrow and remorse.”

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

WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not only is this my first time to Edinburgh, it’s my first time acting in the UK, which if you see my show you know it’s been a dream of mine for a while. This is truly a full-circle moment for me to be bringing such a personal story to Ed Fringe. I will never forget this.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The big things I have learned are: I am more capable then I give myself credit; there’s no time like the present; community is everything. I wrote my show in 2021, decided to bring it to Ed Fringe March 2022, and miraculously raised the money to get it here with help from an amazing community back home. Not to mention the incredible community that is Fringe. I have found my people!

Tell us about your show.

REDEEMher is autobiographical. I wrote and perform this one-woman show about my first marriage, being Mormon, and the infidelity that screwed everything up….seemingly. It was directed and developed with Jessica Lynn Johnson in Los Angeles, and had a soft premier at the Hollywood Fringe Festival before having it’s world premier here at Edinburgh Fringe. Ines Wurth came recommended to me. She loved the show and came on-board to produce for Ed Fringe. No plans as of yet on what’s next, but I think I’m now addicted to fringe and may have to check them out all over the world.

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

The Funny Thing About Death by Kim Kalish. It’s another stand-out one hander that will make you laugh and cry and hold the ones you love closer.

Vermin by Triptych Theatre Co at Gilded Balloon Teviot. It’s dark-comedy-drama done exceptionally well. Top-notch storytelling and thrilling performances that have you on the edge of your seat.

Hannah Pilkes: A Woman on the Verge. Underbelly. A clowning comedy show that is delightful and somehow relatable in its absurdity. She reminds you why the world is so funny and you instantly want to be her friend. In fact, you should follow her on instagram. Comedy gold.

Famous Puppet Death Scenes at Assembly Roxy. Incredibly talented, dark, funny, and charming. It’s not every day you get to see puppetry at this extraordinary skill level. Take advantage while at Fringe.

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EdFringe Talk: KITES

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“The festival is incredible in its diversity – the open-access nature of it allows all styles and experience levels to share their work, which I love!”

WHO: Tzarini Meyler

WHAT: “‘Come on Angel, don’t you ever want to fly?’ 1948. Cork City’s crying. Rations. Unemployment. And those unforgiving clouds. But two girls are plotting a new planet. Kitty’s a native, desperate for adventure, and Angel’s a blow-in searching for home. Through flying kites, dress-up and play, they leave behind their broken families and war-time grief, and let their fantasies find wings. But what happens when the line gets caught and reality beckons? KITES is a fast-paced, visually striking play about the rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood in post-war Ireland, exploring gender roles, sexuality, friendship, love and rage.”

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

WHEN: 14:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I did a short run in 2018 as a director, but this is my first time performing, as well as my first long run. As an Irish playwright, it is a wonderful opportunity to share my work with a UK and international audience and gain their feedback. As a performer, it is a real workout, and every day I feel sharper, not only in my acting capabilities but in my resilience and strength, both physically and emotionally. The festival is incredible in its diversity – the open-access nature of it allows all styles and experience levels to share their work, which I love! However, with the huge amount to see, there is great competition amongst the acts to promote their show, which makes it harder for young artists with limited funding to stand out.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

We never know what life can throw at us, so I just want to keep telling stories that speak from the heart. Art and entertainment is what brings us all together and keeps us sane in hard times. I wanted to explore this in my play KITES, how the power of pretend is sometimes our strongest weapon.

Tell us about your show.

KITES is all about longing to escape. As a writer, my work begins with a physical stimulus. I was fascinated by the childhood object of a kite, how it can be both flimsy and fragile, and yet strong enough to withstand storms and fly away. I wanted to explore the icon of a kite through the lens of womanhood. I had grown up hearing about my great grandmother who longed to be an actress and travel the world whose brothers became performers; one a musician in Australia and the other a magician in Canada, whilst she stayed at home in Ireland and became a housewife. That longing to be somebody else, and to escape, feels incredibly relevant to women today, well to anyone today in fact, our generation has so much pressure to ‘have it all’ and yet all these things (housing, stable income) seem to be so out of our reach. This show is all about growing up from young girls to women in a suffocating society that only offers two options: conformity or the big bad world.

I wrote the play – I was awarded a residency earlier this year at the Pavilion Theatre in Dublin to finish my script. Ana produced it and plays Angel, whilst I play Kitty. We are a small Irish company formed in 2016, we have been steadily growing and have produced many works. Most recently a sold-out run of ‘Dublin in a Rainstorm’ at the Smock Alley Theatre. It is our goal to create work that is truthful to the artist and vital to the audience. After Edinburgh KITES will return home to Cork. Next year we hope to do a small Irish tour.

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

For some incredible dance theatre, head to ‘Night Dances’ at Zoo Southside. Fellow Irish company United Fall have created something truly unforgettable.

For laugh-out-loud comedy check out Elf Lyons’ show Raven at Gilded Balloon.

For gorgeous new writing head to Summerhall for the wonderful Eva O Connor’s Mustard.

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‘Dave Johns: A Comic’s Tale’ (Guilded Balloon Teviot, Wine Bar, until AUG 28)

Posted in 5*, Comedy, EdFestivals, EdFestivals 2022, Gilded Balloon, Rated: Outstanding, Stand-Up by

“His journey from the streets of Byker to the red carpet of the Cannes film festival is beautifully encapsulated in his comment upon encountering a incredulous Meryl Streep at a star-studded buffet: “Hey, Meryl – it’s all free!””

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars (Outstanding)

To anyone who follows stand-up comedy closely, the name Dave Johns ought to be familiar: founder of Newcastle’s first comedy club, and as such co-facilitator of several of his contemporaries’ glittering careers; and veteran of both the Fringe and the year-round club circuit. Though not quite – yet – a household name, his face is much more familiar since starring in the title role of I, Daniel Blake, and a subsequent movie career including Fisherman’s Friends.

Johns is on top comic form in this hour-long one-man show, which combines general observational patter with reflections on his rags-to-riches life. As his close relationship with his audiences suggests, he prefers working in small, intimate venues where he can chat with the punters – indeed, there won’t have been a dry seat left in the front row, judging by the helpless laughter of two ladies he focused on. As Johns tells us, no two nights of his show are the same as he tries out slightly different material each night to see what goes down well. Highlights of this particular evening were a surreal shaggy dog story about an orphan midget; audience participation in a chorus of The Pirate King; and the reason why he’ll never be in a Stephen Spielberg film. His journey from the streets of Byker to the red carpet of the Cannes film festival is beautifully encapsulated in his comment upon encountering an incredulous Meryl Streep at a star-studded buffet: “Hey, Meryl – it’s all free!”

For a man who’s spent so many years wielding a microphone, there is inevitably some sage reflection on the nature of what he does. Rightly disparaging the vast, impersonal arenas played by some of his contemporaries, and the slick glitz of Live at the Apollo. Johns champions the unpredictable intimacy of small venues. “I’m at the two-tickets-for-the-price-of-one end of the market”, he notes disparagingly, adding ironically that the more five-star reviews he gets, the fewer the people who come to see him.

I came away from this show not having laughed out loud so much in years. Give me heart and soul stuff like this rather than an arena any day. So come for the authenticity. Stay for the non-stop laughs. Leave with a great big cheeky-chappie smile on your face. This is Geordie humour so, even if it’s baltic out, leave your coats at home and go see this!

 

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EdFringe Talk: Cat

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“I first wrote a five-minute monologue in the character of Cat for a competition, and then I decided I liked her too much to leave her there!”

WHO: Connie Harris: Writer/performer

WHAT: “Cat is a one-woman, twisted comedy show by Connie Harris. A razor-sharp, subversive exploration of life at its darkest; ranging from the benefits of tapeworms to what to do with an unwanted grandparent.”

WHERE: RSE Theatre – Welcome East (Venue 431) 

WHEN: 14:00 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is the first time I’ve ever been to Edinburgh! I was really little when I first heard about the Fringe, and I imagined it to be just a big field where everyone brings tents to pitch up and perform (you can tell I’m from Norfolk!) – and now I’ve realised what a beautiful city Edinburgh is.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Try not to think too much. I know it sounds weird, but if you get on with life and just do it, instead of always thinking everything through a hundred times, things usually turn out alright in the end.
Only sometimes put it into practice though!

Tell us about your show.

I first wrote a five-minute monologue in the character of Cat for a competition, and then I decided I liked her too much to leave her there! I find there’s something really refreshing about playing someone who’s a little bit twisted, and whose morals aren’t quite right. I can make her say all kinds of horrible, outlandish things but justify them for her character. My play premiered at the Fringe, and at the moment I’m not planning to take it anywhere after – but I’m always open to offers or suggestions!

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

Everyone needs to see Medea the Musical! I keep saying this because it needs to be said! It was amazing – honestly indescribably good.

The Anniversary at The Pleasance was such brilliant physical comedy, and so so funny!

And for people with darker senses of humour (like me!), The Tiger Lilies’ One Penny Opera is perfect – I love the perfect combination of hauntingly good music and pitch-black stories.

A great one-woman show is Pash, which was fast-paced, honest and hilarious!

There are so many more!

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EdFringe Talk: Beg For Me

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“It will take more than a global pandemic to kill our industry – we’ll be here after the apocalypse, creating puppet shows with the ruins.”

WHO: Rosa Maria Alexander

WHAT: “6/1/2021: One day replayed on repeat in @R3alAm3rican99’s head. In this riveting new play by Rosa Maria Alexander, follow how one young man’s radicalisation leads him to the steps of the US Capitol. Beg For Me explores the implosive intersection of violent misogyny, the alt-right and digital extremism. One year on from the storming of the Capitol, the US has experienced a “peaceful” transfer of power – but have the forces that brought thousands to protest the results of the election changed? Beg For Me delves into the mindset of toxic male behaviour – with dark consequences.”

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

WHEN: 13:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’m local to Scotland (Perth) so I’m no stranger to Edinburgh and the Festival! I’ve attended for years, both as a performer and as a punter, but it is my first time bringing my own show here and it has been a completely fresh, exciting experience!

I think it is easy to forget how much work goes into the Festival when you attend for the day – you get to go home shattered after a day of watching incredible shows and recover your hangover with plenty of sleep but performers and creatives never get a day off. It’s a constant cycle of flyering, social media, fixing any problems that go wrong, press & marketing, seeing other shows, finally doing your own show and then more flyering!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

It will take more than a global pandemic to kill our industry – we’ll be here after the apocalypse, creating puppet shows with the ruins.

Tell us about your show.

I was asked by my wonderful friend Alex Conder about a week after the insurrection on the Capitol in January 2021 if I could write a one-man show on the alt-right. Oh, and could I do it in less than 3 months? Of course, I said yes and Beg For Me was born. Beg For Me takes a look at the violent nature of the alt-right, the effect that digital platforms has had on amplifying these voices and the highly nuanced modern-day ‘sex positivity’ movement and the role media plays in normalising ‘rough’ sex – often with kink becoming the baseline for new sexual encounters – and examines whether this trend of more intense intercourse is acting as a cover-up for acts of violence against women. Shortly after it was written, it was put on as part of Mountview’s Catalyst Festival and from there, the show has grown with short runs at the Pleasance in London and at Camden People’s Theatre SPRINT Festival (all produced and directed by the wonderful Olivia Munk, Creative Director of Part of The Main).

The show has changed alot since then and even more so now that I have taken on the roles of producer and director but I am always excited to see how it evolves with new directors, new producers and new actors at the helm.

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

My lovely friend and collaborator, Olivia Munk and her production company Part of The Main, have 3 amazing shows on this year which you cannot miss!

Bloody Mary Live! – Teen Queen Mary Tudor takes to the mic to rehab her ‘bloody’ image. In this gleefully vicious stand-up special, Bloody Mary tackles the drama every #queenager deals with: divorced parents, sibling rivalry and religious purges (…oops). (On everyday until 29th Aug 2022, Lammermuir Theatre – Pleasance at EICC, 10:00pm)

Fritz & Matlock – In a Sheffield basement, two men try to bury the bodies of their past to find a hopeful future. With no way out, will Fritz make it to his wedding? Will Matlock get away with murder? Or will the police finally raid the marijuana grow in the attic? A new dark comedy with a fresh take on men’s mental health, the care system and addiction. (On everyday until 29th Aug 2022, The Attic – Pleasance Courtyard, 2:05pm)

All By Myself – POV: you’re a vlogger. A productive (but chill!) DIYing vlogger. It’s the end of the world. What do you do when everyone’s left the internet? This is a show with no words about being your best self when no one will watch. (On everyday until the 28th Aug 2022, Playground 3 – Zoo Playground, 6:25pm)

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EdFringe Talk: Notflix: Binge

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“Our Edfringe is never complete without at least one pilgrimage to Arthur’s Seat!”

WHO: The Notflix ensemble cast

WHAT: “The Spice Girls of improv return for a fifth triumphant year in their five-star, sell-out, totally improvised musical comedy. Inspired by audience suggestions, the all-female cast improvise the musical version of your favourite films, creating movies with 100% more singing, 99% more women and a full live band. Broadway World Best Comedy nominee. As seen on Sky TV, STV and BBC 5 Live. ‘Notflix might very well be the best show you see this year, the year after that and hopefully forever’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘A little piece of theatrical genius’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.com).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Big Yin (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 17:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, we’ve been a few times before, regular punters might recognise the red jackets! However, this is our first outing with the amazing production team we have today. The Fringe is where Notflix became Notflix, we have really honed our show over the years and are very excited to be heading back after such a gap. The Edinburgh Fringe is a real wonderland for punters and artists. You never know how the day will end, or what hidden gems you will find. Maybe you’ll discover the next big thing before it hits the West End or maybe you’ll end up clasping some garlic while watching a group of actors reenacting Dracula on a bouncy castle at midnight.

As a performer, you can’t help but feel inspired by all the weird and wonderful acts out there. Then the great thing is, you are able to immediately bring that energy and zeal to your own show when you perform it. We love the fact that most shows are just an hour long, meaning you can fit lots in. You’ve also got shows at different price points, so you can organise the festival according to your own budget. In addition to all this, Edfringe takes place against the backdrop of a beautiful historic city. Our Edfringe is never complete without at least one pilgrimage to Arthur’s Seat!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

We’ve learnt that we’re survivors and we are ready to hustle and adapt when needed. When the Pandemic hit and theatre was essentially cancelled, we experimented with what we could do online and basically created a little community, streaming online shows, having a weekly tweet along film club, composed and recorded original film-inspired songs and created accompanying music videos. For the first time, the Notflix team will be bringing two babies to the Fringe, so that will definitely require some level of adaptation! The hiatus has made us appreciate the opportunities we have even more and to make the most out of every performance we have. To be bold and big and leave it all on the stage. Lockdown also gave us the opportunity to watch and analyse even more films, which is very useful for our shows as we want to give the audience what they’ve asked for (and more!). We want to lampoon those movie tropes.

Tell us about your show.

The audience suggests a film and 5 actresses and a live band turn it into an hour long joy-filled, high energy comedy musical. You’ll see the iconic moments and characters from the films you love (or love to hate), mixed with pop culture references, original catchy tunes, physical comedy and a lot of heart. It’s the brain child of our director Sarah Spencer and is being produced by Mick Perrin and his brilliant team. Notflix: Binge is on everyday at 5pm in the Gilded Balloon’s Big Yin. After the Fringe, we’ll be heading to Northern Stage, Newcastle on the 1st October and Hull Truck Theatre on the 28th October. However, we will be announcing more dates and venues for our Autumn tour soon, so it’s always worth checking our socials. You can find us @notflixmusical on Instagram and Twitter.

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

“Katie Pritchard: Disco Ball” – a ball of energy, hilarity, music and talent – basically a human disco ball.

Our sibling show “Les Quizerables” – the ultimate musical theatre quiz with a hilarious host and special guests.

“Briefs: Bite Club” – an amazing group of cabaret/circus/burlesque performers who have teamed up with other worldly singing powerhouse Sahara Beck.

A spot of improvised Shakespeare with “Impromptu Shakespeare”.

“Dance Body “ – in which Yolanda Mercy reclaims space for plus-sized bodies.

The joyful “My Son’s a Queer”.

Thought-provoking theatre like “Blue and Pip” and “Block’d Off”.

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EdFringe Talk: Zach Zucker: Spectacular Industry Showcase

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“Just because you are willing to get naked onstage DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO!”

WHO: Zach Zucker

WHAT: “Winner: Comedian’s Comedian Award, Chortle Awards (2020). After touring the world five times with Zach and Viggo and a historic run of Jack Tucker: Comedy Stand-up Hour at the 2019 Fringe, award-winning clown and international bad boy Zach Zucker returns to Edinburgh with a brand new show! ‘Zach Zucker is… popular’ (New York Times). ‘A rip-roaring hour of top-notch clowning’ ***** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ‘Raucously hilarious 60 minutes’ ****½ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A God amongst men’ **** (Scotsman). ‘A terrible comic’ ** (Times). ‘A fraud who is completely out of his depth’ * (Skinny).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 4 (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 19:50 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my sixth fringe (would’ve been eight had the pandemic not gotten in the way) and I’m so excited to be back here. I love my Fringe family more than myself, nothing makes me happier than being onstage in front of the Edinburgh audience with all of my favorite friends and people from around the world. For a month, everything feels right and perfect and I just can’t express how grateful I am to be a part of this mad festival.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Just because you are willing to get naked onstage DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO!! Turns out, people like it way more when you just “tell jokes” which is something I’ve never really understood but I’m trying to give it a go this year. Can confirm it’s way easier to just not do that and get the goods out instead.

Tell us about your show.

Soooo I made this show with my best buddy Lucas Tamaren who is the frontman of the funk-punk band, Thumpasaurus, as well as my Canadian comedy partners Dylan Woodley and Jonny Woolley. I epicly produce the show under Stamptown and it’s premiering at the Fringe!! We’re hoping to tour it across the US, UK and Australia, with a 3 week run in India with our buddy Sumendra Singh who runs That Comedy Club in Mumbai!

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

I’m certainly biased here because I produce a bunch of shows under the Stamptown banner (Jordan Gray, Randy Feltface, BriTANicK) but aside from all our shows, my bestie and genius clown Tom Walker is back, my favourite comedian Sam Campbell, gorgeous Australian comedy darling Michelle Brasier, my circus family Cirque Alfonse, New Zealand sweetheart Paul Williams, the frustratingly talented Reuben Kaye, some of my picks for newcomer Ania Magliano, Leo Reich and Emily Wilson are all solid shouts. Also, my buddy Kevin Quantum is a killer magician and I love his shows.

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