Tag Archives: Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

+3 Interview: Alex Kealy: The Art of the Keal

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

” It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest.”

WHO: Alex Kealy, Performer and writer

WHAT: “Watch a ‘marvellous stand-up’ (Skinny) funnify the slow-motion explosion that is 2017 liberal democracy. Politics, amirite?! ‘Hilarious… fresh, insightful and original… a great hour of cerebral stand-up comedy – and Alex Kealy is a name to watch’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘Ferociously quick-witted… flawless script’ **** (EdFringeReview.com). ‘A fascinating hour’ (Skinny). ‘Sure to be a hit… Clever and original… Kealy’s style worked a treat’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘I came here for comedy not a political lecture’ (Audience member, April 2017). ‘Sharp comedy… charming, self-deprecating… has the potential to be very big’ (TheNorthernPH.wordpress.com).”

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

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

A whole host of political and personal things happened that had a great effect on me this year, like everyone else, presumably.

Specifically and most relevantly, I’ve really enjoyed having to write a whole new hour of political comedy when politics has been shifting and slurring faster than drunken quicksand. It’s certainly *not* been having to can entire chunks of material because Trump has randomly fired someone or May has called a snap election.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a stand-up show written and performed by me, Alex Kealy, called “The Art of The Keal”. Which is a pun on the book The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump. Do audiences in Britain know the book well enough for my title to make sense? No. Do I currently have the capacity to tour this show in America where the pun would more clearly resonate with the audience? Also no.

Still, I’m having a lovely time – nice audiences and have enjoyed the little final tweaks to the show. It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest. Laughing AND learning!

*The Cliche Police brandish their batons menacingly*

I mean, er…like it’s good, basically.

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

I’ve really enjoyed:

Mat Ewins – brilliantly innovative comic who uses tech and videos to great effect

Rose Matafeo – extremely likeable performer does super funny show

Found Footage Festival – bizarre training videos and infomercials collated by an American comedy duo, mashed together

Getting Some Early Nights – a very moving interactive piece whereby you make sure occasionally not to stay out late and instead go home, watch a little bit of TV, eat some vegetables and call your parents

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+3 Interview: Emotional Terrorism

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“The show premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June. We also did some dates in Raleigh, North Carolina before coming to London to do Previews at the end of July.”

WHO: Ellyn Daniels, Creator/performer

WHAT: “In this one woman show, Ellyn Daniels takes us on an intoxicating ride from Orlando to Togo, from ballet to bulimia, from walking the runways of Paris to blacking out in Hollywood mansions, and from sitting on the precipice of suicide to finding salvation through stand-up comedy. Daniels puts a hilarious spin on her most psychologically demoralizing moments in this unapologetic, soul-bearing tale of one girl’s journey from humiliation to liberation.”

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

WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and my first time to Edinburgh as an adult. I was here once before when I was 15 with my friend’s family, who were kind enough to take me along on a bizarre antique-hunting holiday throughout the U.K.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called ‘Emotional Terrorism’ and it’s a one-woman show which I wrote as an attempt to understand the voices in my head and where they originated and to look at some of the emotionally terrorizing experiences of my life through a comedic lens. It’s a dark comedy which will make you laugh, gasp and possibly even cry, but it will definitely make you feel something and hopefully inspire you to see all the parts of yourself and your own story in a new and more profound light.

I am collaborating on this piece with my good friend, Adam Fazel, an amazing sound designer/composer. He’s created a beautiful and sometimes haunting sound design which serves to transport the audience to all the places (Togo, Tokyo, Germany, LA, etc), and psychological spaces that the story takes you. The show premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June. We also did some dates in Raleigh, North Carolina before coming to London to do Previews at the end of July. I’m not sure what is next for the production, but hopefully we will have the opportunity to perform it again in London and beyond.

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

1) Lauren Pattinson’s Lady Muck @ The Pleasance Courtyard (though I think it might be sold out after a stellar five-star review) What I love about Lauren is her vulnerability on stage. It is so unusual to see that it a young comedian, especially a woman, because we have to be so tough to keep going in this business. She is really special and her show is unusually profound.

2) Richard Stott’s Wretched @ Just the Tonic- Richard was born with Poland Syndrome and speaks to his experiences trying to make it in showbiz with a rare birth defect.

3) Kevin McAleer- Saying Yes to Yes @New Town Theatre- apparently Kevin only does a show every 11 yrs. I’ve heard this is a work of genius and I am uber excited to see it.

4) Also, check out Gunshot Medley @ Venue 13. They were also at the Hollywood Fringe and their show has a powerful message about the history of racism in the U.S.

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+3 Interview: Maria Shehata: Wisdomless

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“I was in the Arches that year, and they were doing construction on the site. My first show had to be postponed because they dug up human remains.”

WHO: Maria Shehata, Artist

WHAT: “Having moved 5,437 miles for love, award-winning Egyptian-American comedian Maria Shehata presents her debut hour of playfully sardonic stand-up. Charmingly conversational and brutally honest, Maria divulges the realities of giving up a glamorous LA lifestyle to discover that saying ‘I moved here for you’ does not win every argument. Winner: Best Comedian at Hollywood Festival of New Cinema and Best Comedy at the Miami Web Fest.”

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

WHEN: 17:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I came up two years ago in 2015. I did a week run, about a 40 minute stand up show. I was sort of dipping my toes into the festival, as an American I don’t think I fully understood what it was all about. I was in the Arches that year, and they were doing construction on the site. My first show had to be postponed because they dug up human remains.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Wisdomless about my move from LA to the UK for love, and the reality of that. I have been writing it since March, and was having a hard time getting structure down so I wrote it as an article and submitted it to Modern Love in the New York Times. And they published it! It’s being produced by Wandering Eye Productions in association with Noel Gay.

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

Please go see these other funny Americans: Sara Schaefer, Carmen Lynch, and Desiree Burch.

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+3 Interview: Curse of the Mummy

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“We were sick of going to auditions to be footballer number 5.”

WHO: Sam Dunham, writer/actor/producer

WHAT: “From creators of smash hits Dracula: Sex, Sucking and Stardom and Frankenstein: Unbolted, comes a tale from the darkest depths of Ancient Egypt. Our unwitting hero, Montana Jones, is on a quest for archaeological eminence. However, a love-cursed Mummy and a Nazi spy threaten to destroy everything! This ancient legend is unwrapped, revitalised and whipped up with mischievous musical mash-ups and outrageous humour. A frenetic hour of riotous theatre comedy.”

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

WHEN: 19:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is the third time Last Chance Saloon have been to the fringe. We previously performed ‘Dracula: Sex, Sucking & Stardom’ and ‘Frankenstein: UnBolted.’ ‘Curse of the Mummy’ however is going to be our biggest show yet, with more characters, more costume changes, more comedy and more seats to sell than ever before. We’re really looking forward to the rest of the month and if past experience has taught us anything, it’s taught us to stock up on vitamins, fruit and Vocalzone. And maybe some beer.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is ‘Curse of the Mummy’ and it was written by us, produced by us and barring any major fall outs, performed by us. Our story focuses on a young intrepid but ultimately useless explorer called Montana Jones as he goes on a quest to discover ancient relics and ruins. However, not all goes to plan, as he encounters a gold obsessed Nazi and has to chase him across Egypt while simultaneously attempting to save the world from a love Cursed Mummy.

Last Chance Saloon were formed 6 years ago because basically no one wanted to employ us and cause we were sick of going to auditions to be footballer number 5. This way, by creating our own work, we at least get to be making the comedy theatre that we want to be a part of and that we think audiences would love. Even if we’re not getting rich by doing so. But so far, we’ve had fun, got some great reviews and entertained lots of people, so long may it continue.

We previewed the show in London in July, testing it out in front of a friendly couple of audiences and then after Edfringe we’ll be taking it to the London Horror Festival. Fingers crossed it’ll have a life after that but who knows what the future holds.

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

Ah there are so many good shows out there that even we don’t know about! But we have kept our ears to the ground and have heard that Mini Mall Theatre have a fantastic show called ‘Ballistic’. There’s our best mates Swipe Right Theatre who are performing their sell out show ‘2 Become 1’ for the 3rd time at the Fringe and then there’s ‘Trygve vs a Baby’ which sounds so crazy that it might just be genius. Trygve is a brilliant clown and if you’ve seen any of his other shows you’ll know he’s one not to miss. But seriously, the only way to find out what to see is by talking to everyone else.

Word of mouth is so important in a festival like this and so if you see a show you like then spread the news and the love!

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+3 Interview: Impromptu Shakespeare

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“We’ve just finished a fantastic run at the Bristol Shakespeare Festival.”

WHO: Ailis Duff, Actor

WHAT: “A completely improvised Shakespeare play inspired by audience suggestions. Bursting with comedy, love, tragedy, mistaken identity and everything in-between, this show will delight Shakespeare nerds and newbies alike. Back for a fourth year, the cast buckle on the Bard’s britches to bring you the plays he never wrote.”

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

WHEN: 13:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our fourth year at the Edinburgh Fringe and we’re very excited to be back! We’ve had a wonderful year performing around the country and we’ve just finished a fantastic run at the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, and now we’re heading to the Big Cave at Just the Tonic – our biggest venue yet!

Tell us about your show.

The show group first started in Oxford several years ago, and since then we’ve gathered various improvisers from groups all over the country. We’re made up of a rotating group of improvisers from some of the best groups in the U.K., and we’ll be touring the South West in the Autumn as well as doing several shows in London.

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

There is so much wonderful improv to see at this year’s Fringe! A few that we’d recommend are our friends The Maydays and Notflix, as well as the Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure and Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes. Also check out our Bristol improv pals in This is Soap and Murder, She Didn’t Write. So much to choose from!

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+3 Interview: Gary Tro: SupercalifragilisticexpiGARYTROcious

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“I love the fringe. It’s like puberty but with more Berocca.”

WHO: Gary Tro, The genius.

WHAT: “This is a show for everyone who feels a lack of fulfilment. This is a show for anyone who struggles with perseverance. This is a show about commitment… maybe. As seen on BBC iPlayer and as not seen on BBC Radio 4.”

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

WHEN: 17:00 (5 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve taken a show up every year since 2011. I love the fringe. It’s like puberty but with more Berocca.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this show in 2015, took it to the fringe in 2016 and am taking it back again due to a complete lack of demand! The show was a massive commercial disaster last year – hardly anyone saw it. I was in a venue in butt-fudge nowhere at a ridiculously competitive time.

However, the feedback from everyone that did come was overwhelmingly complimentary. And I love doing it. I think it’s a fantastic show, which I’m really proud of. It’s some of the most hilariously honest bullshit you’ll ever see.

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

MARVELus: All the Marvel movies. Kind Of. 12:30pm // The City Cafe.

It’s a sketch/semi-improvised show based on the current Marvel superhero movies!

As recommended as it is geeky!

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