Tag Archives: Just the Tonic

+3 Interview: Andrew White: Retirement Tour

Posted in Plus 3 2019 – Features, Written Interviews by

“Then last year, I made the step up to a full month’s run with my second show ‘Coming of Age’. It was a lot tougher, and about 15 days in I really started to feel it.”

WHO: Andrew White, Writer/performer

WHAT: “What do you do when life comes to a crossroads? Write a show about it, of course! At 19 years old, Andrew White can’t help but question his next steps: should he keep slogging it out on the stand-up circuit? Or should he leave it all behind for further education? Is this truly the Retirement Tour? A brand-new comedy show from ‘one of the most talked about rising star comedians’ (EssexMagazine.co.uk). Weighing up his future, Andrew takes a hilarious look at the value of comedy vs the benefits of university. ‘Not to be missed’ (Daily Record).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Cask Room (Venue 288) 

WHEN: 13:05 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my fourth year and third solo show up at the Fringe. I didn’t take any show up in my first visit to Edinburgh, but it made such an impact. My parents and I went on a week long trip in 2016 after my GCSEs and I just fell in love. I said to myself on that trip that I’d be up every year from then on, and so far, I’ve kept that promise.

In 2017 I went up for two weeks with my debut hour ‘It Was Funnier In My Head’, and had a great time. It was nice to dip my toe in the waters doing that shorter run, and I made a lot of good friends out flyering and seeing other shows.

Then last year, I made the step up to a full month’s run with my second show ‘Coming of Age’. It was a lot tougher, and about 15 days in I really started to feel it. My first two weeks were amazing, and I spent a lot of time with other comedians, making new connections, and just taking it all in. Unfortunately, a lot of my friends were only doing short runs and I was left on my own for a week before some family came up for the last few days.

It was a steep learning curve, but I still really enjoyed it, and was really lucky with audiences across the month.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Since last year, probably the biggest thing that’s happened is that I went full-time with comedy.

It’s greatly subsidised by living with my parents, but still, I can’t believe I’m able to do nothing but stand-up and gig so much. I’m really lucky and extremely grateful.

I also have an offer for university to study Linguistics at Cardiff. So that’s a fairly big event in my life as well, which ultimately forms the basis for my new show…

Tell us about your show.

Retirement Tour is a stand-up show that weighs up the benefits of university vs the creative pull of pursuing comedy full-time.
With a gap year, and indeed, until the end of the Fringe to decide, can I bare to walk away from so many gigs for higher education? Is there any value in doing comedy anyway? Is it a healthy career? Was it appropriate to come out to my parents on stage as part of joke?

The show looks at all these questions, and is quite literally my life as I’m living it. It’s been hard to write at times, because I’m still unsure in reality, but it’s also been a useful way of talking my thoughts through. Comedy is a great way to process life I find, and it is cathartic to turn big dilemmas into comedy.
N/B though, it’s not just live therapy though, it is actually funny, and I try and keep it as relatable and accessible as possible, despite the rather unique position of my conflict.

I’ve been previewing all over the country at various festivals, theatres, and comedy clubs, and it’s starting to come together quite nicely. I’m excited to showcase the finished product in Edinburgh.

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

There’s so so much. I think my top 7 (because I couldn’t whittle down to 5) would be:
– Which Princess Are You? by Sunjai Arif
– Troy Hawke: Tiles of the Unexpected
– Laura Lexx: Knee Jerk
– Josh Berry: Who Does He Think He Is?
– Joe Wells Doesn’t Want to Do Political Comedy Anymore!
– Harriet Braine: Les Admirables
– George Rigden: Spooning with Uri

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+3 Interview: Sid Singh: American Bot

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“I graduated from law school after living in San Francisco for the past 3 years specializing in refugee law and also start up law. So really the moment I can help a refugee who invents something, my non-comedy career path will be set.”

WHO: Sid Singh, Comedian

WHAT: “Silicon Valley dominates the news with the richest man in the world (Jeff Bezos), a website that helped spread fake news and swing a presidential election (Facebook), and a future presidential candidate (Mark F*cking Zuckerberg). Join Silicon Valley native Sid Singh, fresh off his best-selling comedy album Amazing! Probably, returning to Edinburgh to take down Silicon Valley’s toxic tech culture. From tech’s invasion into our personal lives, to the rampant sexism and racism that festers behind closed doors, the world of tech has never been more problematic or more powerful.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Cask Room (Venue 288) 

WHEN: 18:25 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my fifth time doing Edinburgh and my first new hour since I released my first comedy album “Amazing (Probably)” last year! I love the Fringe and am excited to be back!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I graduated from law school after living in San Francisco for the past 3 years specializing in refugee law and also start up law. So really the moment I can help a refugee who invents something, my non-comedy career path will be set. I also only went to law school initially to please my parents so to actually be done is one of the weirdest feelings in the world.

Tell us about your show.

As I mentioned above, I’ve now been doing stand up for almost a decade and most of my comedy was very introspective and self-deprecating. Then I moved to San Francisco after having been gone for 10 years and my perspective completely changed. My hometown has basically been sold off into a playground for the rich. Thanks to law school I was able to become one of the heads of the Homeless Legal Services and also volunteer for the Legal Action Resources Clinic and see first hand how the city has changed for the worst and actively hurt people who need our help the most.

So I decided to write a show about that, specifically how the tech billionaires who control much of San Francisco are crazy and should get a lot less respect than the working class that still make up this city. Despite the fact that it’s my first ever show with a message (which would normally go against my general brand of New York styled comedy), I believe the show can be one of my funniest ever too.

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

Honestly, the reality of the Fringe is that you’re best served watching as many shows as possible to get as many perspectives as possible. So in addition to the shows I’ll recommend, please do just wander about and get talked into seeing anything that strikes your fancy.

As for shows that I do want to specifically recommend: Droll by the Owle Scheme Theatre is such a fun show. Basically, the premise is what if a bunch of really fun and talented performers put on a play from 400 years ago that was ILLEGAL at the time it was written and didn’t take themselves too seriously? The result is a really fun time. As a man raised with a large amount of toxic masculinity that he has to overcome, I was shocked by how much I liked this play, especially one that describes itself as experimental classical theatre.

As for comedy, go watch this amazing list of people if you can: Dan Audritt, Tamar Broadbent, Ed Night, Aatif Nawaz, Peter Michael Marino, Jamie Oliphant, Rahul Kohli, and Eshaan Akbar. They are all so different from each other and that is what makes them also so unique and distinct in super interesting ways.

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+3 Interview: Nick Elleray: It’s Been Emotional

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“Any idiot can book a show for August, starting a relationship with a local shows real commitment to the city.”

WHO: Nick Elleray, Performer

WHAT: “Expat Aussie Nick Elleray has been described as ‘an under-appreciated purveyor of quality downbeat comedy’ (Chortle.co.uk). This is your chance to help remove ‘under’ from that description. Come join Nick as he digs deep into intimacy, masculinity, family and stoned cats. ‘An engaging stand-up with an inventive mind’ (List). ‘Definitely an act that left the audience wanting more’ (Bruce Dessau). Winner of Old Comedian of the Year 2017. As heard on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 Extra.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre – The Little Kirk (Venue 27) 

WHEN: 16:40 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Oh, I’ve been here before, don’t you worry about that. Sure, I’ve done shows, but more importantly, I used to date someone in Edinburgh, so have spent time here outside of Fringe time. Any idiot can book a show for August, starting a relationship with a local shows real commitment to the city.

Tell us about your show.

It’s all by me and me alone. If it stinks, then that’s on me. If it’s a raging hit, I will be humble and say it was luck or the guiding hand of my dead Nan or something like that, but you will know that I will be secretly wallowing in crass self-congratulation.

I’ve been hammering the show into shape in Brighton, London and other southern cities, but it will not be truly fit for human consumption until August. After that, I’m gonna see how the Aussie festivals feel about it.

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

The Delightful Sausage. I loved last year’s show and have just seen a preview of this years and it is better and funnier already.

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+3 Interview: The Problem With Faye Treacy

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“This is the big one.”

WHO: Faye, Performer

WHAT: “Debut hour (Best Newcomer Musical Comedy Awards 2015; runner-up Bath New Act 2016; as heard on BBC Radio 2/4 Extra). When asked by her little sister for some career advice, Faye realised she’d spent the last half of her 20s trying to make trombone comedy work. Join Faye for an idiosyncratic tale about a South London foster family, why she’s decided she wants to become a step-dad and what it’s like to be quite often the only woman in the band. ‘Treacy’s charm soon wins us round… her one-liners are expertly crafted and sharp’ (List).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Cask Room (Venue 288) 

WHEN: 19:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my first time doing a full hour! I’ve been on shared bills and done a half hr show in the past on the free fringe but this is the big one, which I’m very excited for.

Tell us about your show.

My shows called The Problem With Faye Treacy. I wrote it and it’s about my life growing up in South London with my folks and foster siblings (My mums started to collect more kids than Madonna) and how I made a break for it basically with a trombone into the classical music world. I’m hoping to take it to a few festivals in Australia next year and maybe New Zealand.

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

I previewed with Sarah Keyworth the other week and her shows great! Also I’d say check out Darren Harriott and Harriet Kemsley. I’m a big fan. For a fantastic storyteller and comedian, I’d say Chris Stokes is definitely one to watch too! His new hours hilarious!

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+3 Interview: James Meehan – Gaz

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“The show is loosely about identity.”

WHO: James Meehan, Comedian

WHAT: “2017. I’m an angry insufferable mess. I don’t leave the flat for six months. 2018. Same. Now I call it working from home. A comedy show for hermits. James Meehan is a comedian and ex-member of Gein’s Family Giftshop. You might have seen him on the telly in Inside No 9 or Drunk Histories, or heard him on BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack.”

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

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have been to Edinburgh for the full run every year since 2013.

In 2014 I won the panel prize with the show Funz and Gamez.
In 2014 I was nominated for best newcomer with my (now ex) sketch group Gein’s Family Giftshop.
In 2016 I performed my first solo hour to 5* reviews. (James Meehan – Class Act)
In 2017 I performed my second solo hour (James Meehan – As If I Hadn’t Slept)
This is my third hour.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote my show and am producing it myself.
I hope to tour it afterwards.

The show is loosely about identity and not leaving the flat for 6 months after a torrid old time involving disasterous decisions with work and the people I chose to work with.

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

The Delightful Sausage
Chris Washington
Phil Ellis
Tanjore Restaurant (BYOB)

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+3 Interview: Stuart Black: It’s the End of the World as We Know It

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

“I just love the festival. It’s the best arts festival in the world. But I don’t need to tell you that.”

WHO: Stuart Black, Performer/Writer

WHAT: “The worse the world gets the funnier Stuart Black gets. So there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that the world is totally f*cked, the good news: Stuart Black is in the form of his life, and returns to the Fringe with his funniest show to date.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Tron (Venue 51)

WHEN: 23:40 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming to the fringe since I started doing stand-up in 2004. I just love the festival. It’s the best arts festival in the world. But I don’t need to tell you that. Actually the very first time I came to Edinburgh was way back in the nineties for some day-job related thing. It was winter and I am soft, and from London. It was cold btw. Really cold. I’m talking C.O.L.D. But I don’t need to tell you that.

Tell us about your show.

My show, like most stand-up, is all me. I wrote it, directed it, I’m bloody in it! That’s the beauty of stand-up: you are the absolute boss. But you do have to do all the driving – swings and roundabouts.

I often get described as dark and poetic, which is fair. I don’t really try to be like that. That’s just me being me. I’ve had a crazy life and some of my show is about that. Now I’m feeling old, and some of my show is about that

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

My show is at 23.40 so afterwards you should see a lot of happy drunk people… Why not join them! (Don’t go to Cowgate, watch out for seagulls.)

If you want another show Tiff Stevenson – Bombshell.

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