“I always struggle with the resident/performer dichotomy. I hate how overwhelming town is when you’re just trying to get to the dentist, but on the other hand, it’s so exciting to have the whole world come to visit.”
WHO: Eleanor Morton
WHAT: “Fresh from her new show on BBC Radio 4, award-winning comedian Eleanor Morton returns with a show all about mermaids and why she wants to be one, even though she can’t swim. A show all about wanting to be beautiful, mythology, 2000s magazine sex tips, rat boyfriends, and James Cameron’s submarine. Justice for Nicola Roberts. Praise for 2024’s show Haunted House: ‘Belly laugh funny’ ****½ (Metro). **** (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). **** (Skinny).”
WHERE: CabVol 1 at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire) (Venue 338)
WHEN: 13:00 (55 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
No – I’m from Edinburgh, so it’s my 9th hour of comedy and my 34th August of being alive.
I always struggle with the resident/performer dichotomy. I hate how overwhelming town is when you’re just trying to get to the dentist, but on the other hand, it’s so exciting to have the whole world come to visit.
I don’t think I’d do well as a visitor to Edinburgh. Staying 7 to a room in a shared flat in town for a month would drive me insane. I’m very lucky I have an Edinburgh outwith the Fringe I can retreat too.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I’ve learned it’s much easier to write a show about something your passionate about or keen on. I’ve also learned a lot about mermaids. Did you know, for example, that Christopher Columbus reported seeing some on his way to America? Or that Geoffrey Chaucer coined the phrase mermaid? Or that sirens actually used to be birds not fish?
I also learned about Melusine, a French serpent/fish lady who got caught in the bath and was so embarrassed she turned into a dragon and flew away. As you do.
Tell us about your show.
My show is called The Mermaid and it’s about cars. No, it’s about mermaids. It’s actually about wanting to be a mermaid as a child and why everyone is so obsessed with them.
My show is self-produced but my right hand woman is Julia Sneddon from Hare Brained Schemez who’s made some incredible props and costumes. She’s truly genius. Last time for my show Haunted House she made a beautiful and intricate haunted dolls house. It was so much better than I could ever have imagined.
I’ve been working on this show for two years because it turns out it’s much more mentally healthy than trying to squeeze out a brand new hour every year.
I don’t know where I’m taking the Mermaid afterwards – we’ll have to see!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
You should definitely go and see everything in Monkey Barrel, it’s packed full of amazing acts, and really champions Scottish comedians.
I like to go and see Shakespeare for Breakfast because I used to go as a teenager so its nicely nostalgic.
My friend Sooz Kempner is very funny and insanely talented too.
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