In this vibrant episode of #SNAPCHATZ, we journey with Dance HQ’s ‘Gallus Stooshie’s Cool Ceilidh,’ Charlie Lewin’s ‘Cockatiel,’ and Abigail Paul’s ‘Involuntary Momslaughter,’ as they infuse humor into our traditional narratives, beautifully subverting traditions with humour at #EdFringe 2023.
#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!
Gallus Stooshie’s Cool Ceilidh
Who are you/what is your show?
I’m Susan Elena and I run Dance HQ, Glasgow’s best rated dance studio. We’re bringing our modern Scottish dance troupe, Gallus Stooshie to the Gilded Balloon with Gallus Stooshie’s Cool Ceilidh.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
For the majority of people the last time they danced in a ceilidh is likely to have been school PE lessons or the occasional wedding and we think it’s time to make ceilidhs cool again. We’re combining a dance performance that fuses Highland dancing with Jazz & Urban dance then opening up the dance floor for everyone to join us in a modern ceilidh.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
Our dream audience is fun, enthusiastic and ready to give it a go! It doesn’t matter if they’ve been to a million ceilidhs or if this is their first – our host and dancers will lead them so they can ‘wheech’ around the floor with us. As for famous faces, we think Francie & Josie (ask your gran!) would have had a ball at our Cool Ceilidh with their fancy footwork and patter – Are ye dancing’? Are ye asking? Aye, I’m asking. Aye, I’m dancing!
Keep up to date with theQR.co.uk, follow us on Twitter!
Charlie Lewin: Cockatiel
Who are you/what is your show?
Hey I’m Charlie! I’m an Aussie stand-up, writer and Nicole Kidman body double. I recently won Best Newcomer for my debut show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
No other show will feature a musical theatre interlude about a ketamine overdose at a drama school audition. ‘Cockatiel’ is a jam-packed beast, bending genre and gender, standup and song. Camp, nostalgic and utterly hilarious, it’s a heartfelt snapshot of the life of a queer kid from Melbourne trying to find his flock.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
Lovers of stand-up, cabaret and the homosexual arts! My show is not just award-winningly funny, it’s also really brave and stunning. I don’t know if you know this, but I’m actually the very first comedian to combine comedy with heart. It’s never been done before. I can’t wait to share it with my gays, theys and theatre baes.
Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter
Who are you/what is your show?
I am a US stand-up comedian, improviser and actor who has been living in Frankfurt, Germany for over 20 years, and I am bringing my first solo debut show Involuntary Momslaughter. I tell a story about a person who’s very bad in order to make you feel good! The title says it all, but also refers to a dark secret that is revealed in the show.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
Involuntary Momslaughter is a feel-good show about child abuse. (Really.) Even though it was my normal life, people find it shocking. It inverts social norms on how we discuss sacred family roles, especially mothers. Also America. I tell the true story of being raised by a ‘psychopath single mother and a feral pack of drag queens’ in mid-90s Miami, using slides, story, song and lots of punchlines. I guarantee a good time and at least three major jaw drops.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
I picture my dream audience like it’s a dinner party. My show formed over many years at dinner parties, where people ask me an innocent question like where are you from, and then it just goes south immediately. I would invite Patsy & Eddie (I thought Ab Fab was a documentary growing up, David & Amy Sedaris (perfected family dysfunction before I did), John Waters & Divine (from back when drag queens were sickening, literally – see Pink Flamingos). All people who aren’t afraid to laugh at the shocking and the sad with glee.
By
By
