Questions answered by Kevin Short.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

We plan on creating a fringe CULT and will change one letter in the word to rename members who might rebel, or those who don’t want to join. A CULT is a CULT, better than the four-letter alternative which non-cultists will prove to be. So, don’t be that, come join the cult!

Q2: If your show walked into a cocktail bar, what would it order?

The British Charlie Manson, namesake of the American criminal, wouldn’t walk into a cocktail bar but would, most likely, magically appear, most probably in an Alcotraz bar, and would charmingly order a Coffee & Coke, followed by a Hanky Panky, and a Death in the Gulf Stream.

Q3: We all have weird pre-performance rituals. What is yours, and how confused would a normal person be if they walked in on you doing it?

I’ve tried many rituals. From a stiff drink, the taking of illicit substances, forming a pre-audience cult and performing communal masturbation, to simply breathing in and out three times, and calmly reminding myself that it’s only a show. Then, letting out a God almighty scream!

Q4: If all the shows running right now were at a massive Fringe house party, what is your show doing?

My show is hosting the massive house party. I, Charlie, am manning the decks, and my newly amassed cult members are raving to the sounds of Hippydom, feeling good, feeling love, feeling free. No illicit substances, no booze, just a natural high created by creators of the Fringe.

About the show

An Audience with Charles Manson

Date(s): Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Pay what you can

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Questions answered by Lydia Free, Coco Cottam.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Push comes to shove, we will flash-mob the play in the Summerhall sauna-theatre. Bring the seats to the bums. We can Aufguss for sure.

Q2: All shows will have their tough days. What sophisticated self-care strategies will you employ to survive?

We promise to not follow any of the self-care advice in our play, Thermodrama. Maybe just down an espresso and escape to the Turkish sun. Flight back to Edinburgh in time for 10:30PM.

Q3: We all have weird pre-performance rituals. What is yours, and how confused would a normal person be if they walked in on you doing it?

Stand in our underwear, hold hands, and scream as quietly as we can: ‘PECORINO ROMANO’. But honestly, if anyone who had been at the Fringe for longer than twenty-four hours, they probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

Q4: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

We hope their pits are still stained with sweat, their shoes with blood, and their cheeks with tears of laughter. Should still be quite physical.

About the show

Thermodrama

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Evening (Between 6pm and 10pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Victoria Oxley.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

I’m dressing a family member up as David Blowie (our tribute act version of David Bowie) and sending him singing and dancing round Edinburgh! Luckily I didn’t have to ask him twice!

Q2: The Fringe is horribly expensive. How are you financing this run? Did you remortgage your house, sell your granny, or start an illicit side hustle?

You know how people put themselves into crazy debt for the wedding of their dreams? This is my wedding! Fundraising has helped massively. Family/friends helped me put on a fundraiser, and my Dad even made curries for people to try. Having a community supporting me has meant a lot

Q3: If your show suddenly developed a massive ego and became the biggest diva in the 2026 Fringe, what absurd, hyper-specific item would be mandatory on its dressing room rider?

Cardboard cut-outs of all the tribute artists in the show, obviously. I’d need them there for moral support, and I think Blobbie Williams would have some excellent pre-show advice.

Q4: If all the shows running right now were at a massive Fringe house party, what is your show doing?

Karaoke, or a Stars in Their Eyes themes night! Everyone has to perform, and everyone is invited. No one’s allowed to sit in the corner, we’re getting everyone involved!

About the show

Stayin’ Alive

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Tess O’Shea.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

A toss between dressing my Dad as a fly OR trying to go viral by dancing in a maggot costume and announcing ‘maggotmaxxing’ is a thing (unsuccessfully)

Q2: If your show walked into a cocktail bar, what would it order?

Bzzz bzzz the whole menu and then I’d vomit and suck on everybody else’s drinks while I’m at it

Q3: If you brought this show home for the holidays, how would your parents react to them?

The thought of me being a mating fly in front of my family makes me uncomfortable. But It was important for me to create a show that was true to a fly’s life. And flies do tend to eat poo and mate a lot. So I think they will be understanding.

Q4: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

I’m sure an annoying fly will get stuck in your room / lick your sweat / annoy you and trigger something

About the show

House Fly

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Morning (Before 12-noon) • Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Fadi Murad.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Telling my hinge matches to come to the show and using the “I live in Palestine” card.

Q2: If your show walked into a cocktail bar, what would it order?

Blood, tears, and water. Oh and any fiery drink available.

Q3: The Fringe is horribly expensive. How are you financing this run? Did you remortgage your house, sell your granny, or start an illicit side hustle?

I am eating one meal a day, haven’t renewed the insurance of my car, and am moving 4 times during my stay in Edinburgh.

Q4: All shows will have their tough days. What sophisticated self-care strategies will you employ to survive?

I’ll just act fine and the bitterness inside me towards the world will grow until I am one of those old men that despise the world and act like everything is fine, but deep down there are little resentful shadow figures telling me that I am pitiful and unworthy.

About the show

Come Back Home

Date(s): Previews week (Fri 31st July to Thurs 6th Aug) • Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Andrea Guerini.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Quoting the show “Violence, strong language and the play is written by Italians” Also, some begging as well. Please.

Q2: Cancel culture has finally come for your show. What sins has it committed?

Probably for showing the deepest and darkest intrusive thoughts of the human mind without asking for consent. And for the genocide of balloons, but we didn’t kill 17000 balloons childrens, like someone else.

Q3: The Fringe is horribly expensive. How are you financing this run? Did you remortgage your house, sell your granny, or start an illicit side hustle?

We already used our childhood savings, sold our microwave and WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT SELLING DRUGS on the side, Officer.

Q4: All shows will have their tough days. What sophisticated self-care strategies will you employ to survive?

Coffees, any form of tobacco and WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT USING DRUGS, Officer.

About the show

The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Morning (Before 12-noon) • Late (After 10pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Georgina Thomas.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Bribery, misinformation, kidnappings… and that’s just for previews.

Q2: We all have weird pre-performance rituals. What is yours, and how confused would a normal person be if they walked in on you doing it?

My show features operatic singing. I have certain warm-up techniques and exercises that if someone were walking past my dressing room, they might get the wrong idea.

Q3: If all the shows running right now were at a massive Fringe house party, what is your show doing?

My show would be that one guy in the corner who’s brought the guitar. Asking people if they want them to sing, and even when they say no, playing it anyway.

Q4: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

The morning after? My audiences will be haunted for the rest of their lives by my sharp wit and sweet dulcet tones.

About the show

Georgina Thomas: Hysterical Soprano

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Alfie Wickham, Kai Porter.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

We plan to climb on top of each other and make an 18ft human pole, then walk down the Mile and pluck people by the briefs and carry them back to the Pleasance Courtyard.

Q2: Cancel culture has finally come for your show. What sins has it committed?

It’s about men and there’s no women in it. Sorry to the Fringe, sorry to the arts world and sorry to my mum.

Q3: We all have weird pre-performance rituals. What is yours, and how confused would a normal person be if they walked in on you doing it?

We pretend to be monkeys and jump around the dressing room. It’s weird but we’re quite good at it so maybe a normal person would think we’re actually monkeys.

Q4: If you brought this show home for the holidays, how would your parents react to them?

They’d probably feel immediately slapped in the face, but then process that pain in a really healthy way through the medium of dance.

About the show

Heart Beats Strong

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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Questions answered by Louisa Sanfey.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Our visually impaired performers and audience advocates will be tripping people up with their white canes on the streets of Edinburgh, using direct contact to let you know about our showcase!

Q2: If your show walked into a cocktail bar, what would it order?

Ouch! What’s that bar doing there? Can someone audio describe it for us please, and then read out the drinks menu while you’re at it…

Q3: We all have weird pre-performance rituals. What is yours, and how confused would a normal person be if they walked in on you doing it?

Being a blunder of blind artists – we’ll be making sure we know where the edge of the stage is and marking it up with high contrast tape. And who are you calling normal?

Q4: If all the shows running right now were at a massive Fringe house party, what is your show doing?

We have a couple of cabaret artists in our showcase who will probably be wearing bubble wrap and copious rainbow glitter for the maximum tactile party experience

About the show

Extant Showcase of Visually Impaired Artists

Date(s): Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • One-off

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Free

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Questions answered by PJ Cunningham.

Q1: Aside from this Quickie, what is the most desperate marketing tactic you plan on using to get bums in seats this August? 280 chars

Giving free life coaching.

Q2: The Fringe is horribly expensive. How are you financing this run? Did you remortgage your house, sell your granny, or start an illicit side hustle?

Becoming a life coach.

Q3: All shows will have their tough days. What sophisticated self-care strategies will you employ to survive?

Writing a list of everything that makes me angry then ripping it up and setting it on fire and then dancing around it on the royal mile.

Q4: If all the shows running right now were at a massive Fringe house party, what is your show doing?

Reading the host’s diary.

About the show

To Do Lists

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug) • Final week(s) (Fri 21st to Mon 31st Aug)

Time(s): Afternoon (Between 12-noon and 6pm)

Ticket type: Paid

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