Unleashing an avalanche of talent, today’s Fringe mavericks to take center stage are the almost silent, raunchy filth purveyor Bonnie He, radio-host, podcaster, comedian triple-threat Ian Stone, and possible moron degenerate philosopher Amos Gill.
#SNAPCHATZ is simple. I challenge all 2023 Fringe performers & creators to answer 3 questions and to sell you, dear reader, their show. Their answers are tossed into a digital hat, and published in quick-read trios. It’s a Fringe goer’s fastest and safest (no guerilla flyering!) way to find someone, or something, new.
If you like what you read, you’re intrigued, you bark a laugh or shed a tear, or you suspect some risk of lasting trauma, then click those links and buy a ticket, or 10!
A Terrible Show for Terrible People
Who are you/what is your show?
I am Bonnie He, an Asian American clown from Los Angeles and my show is a Terrible Show for Terrible People, a 50-minute physical comedy with only 2 words. I’ve won more awards than there are words in the show, which keeps confirming I am best seen and not heard. This will be my international debut.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
It’s raunchy filth from a woman’s perspective so it’s also surprisingly sweet. I’m one of the few clowns of colour (COC for short, Johnson for long) at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
And have we mentioned there are only two words in the entire show? In all seriousness, this comedy is quite accessible because there’s no language barrier. AND we hired a BSL interpreter for those two words. Everyone (14+) should have access to raunchy filth from a women’s perspective.
Ian Stone Will Make It Better
Who are you/what is your show?
My name is Ian Stone and I’m a comedian. The show is called Ian Stone will Make it Better. I’ll be honest with you, to meet fringe deadlines, you have to come up with the name of the show months before you have any idea what the show might be about. Obviously, for the hour that you’re with me, I hope that I do actually make it better but as I’m getting further into the writing, I’m slowly realising that not only will the subjects I’m choosing to talk about (AI rapidly destroying humanity/political corruption and venality/religious extremism amongst other things) not make it better, they may make it appreciably worse. That’s not to say you shouldn’t come. If you take the titles of Edinburgh shows at face value, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment but hopefully you’re not that gullible. Mind you, years ago, a comedian did a show called ‘Sold Out’ and no-one came because they thought they’d be unable to get tickets.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
Have you ever seen a Jewish man riding a unicycle whilst juggling and playing the kazoo? Let me know what that looks like. It’s difficult to say what sets this show apart having not seen anyone else’s show. There might be hundreds of similar shows written by middle aged Jewish comedians – unlikely but I haven’t seen the Fringe line-up yet. Maybe there’s a glut of them this year. What I do know is that there will be funny jokes delivered by someone (me) who’s been doing this shit a long time. I also have a face for comedy and a lot of opinions. None of them are mine, they’re just opinions that I’ve heard, but there are a lot of them. I’ll also guarantee that I’ll turn up on time every afternoon, sober and ready to deliver. I’ll also be wearing nice shoes because I think it’s important.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
My dream audience would contain the following attributes
a) there would be one hundred and fifty of them (that’s the capacity of the room).
b) they have a sense of humour. Absolutely a must. If they’re coming to a comedy show to acquire one, I’d rather they started with someone else.
c) they need to be happy to join in. Asking an audience a question and getting no response can be very dispiriting. Equally, they also need to be happy to stop joining in if I ask them to.
d) they have to be external as opposed to internal laughers. I find internal laughing weird anyway but with the spotlight, I can only see the first few rows so I need to hear them enjoying themselves. Although I’d draw the line at anyone with a really loud or unusual laugh. It can get a bit distracting if people are laughing at the laugher rather than me.
e) I don’t want anyone too attractive. I’m not saying I want the audience to consist of people who, if they were born one hundred years ago, might have been part of a Victorian travelling freak show. I just find ridiculously attractive people are a little distracting.
f) as it’s a free show, it’d be great if they’re all generous multi-millionaires who are only carrying fifty pound notes and are happy to put them in the bucket at the end of the show.
g) they don’t get easily offended and most importantly,
h) they’re able to climb a flight of stairs (the room is on the first floor and there’s no lift access).
Amos Gill: The Pursuit of Happy(ish)
Who are you/what is your show?
I’m Amos Gill. 31 year old Australian comedian who lives in LA. I’m half Croatian and talk about that incessantly, depending on World Cup results. My show is about trying to be happy and the many impediments we all have to getting there. Others have said my show is about a moron degenerate, grappling with stoic philosophy he clearly doesn’t understand.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
Last year I inherited 100 million dollars (after my step fathers skiing accident) and I don’t want money I haven’t earned. I’m afraid it will soften and corrupt me. So, I am going to choose one audience member, before the festival finishes, to gift it to. *see website for terms and conditions
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
The Tottenham hotspur squad. I tell them they’re shit and they’re stealing wages (Disclaimer: answered after a devastating loss).
Want to get in touch?
You can drop theQR.co.uk an email or use the contact form. Submissions to this year’s #SNAPCHATZ are now closed.
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