Questions answered by Tobias Graham.

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

Listen – nothing is set in stone – but I would like to be marched around the city in my undies like Cersei in Game of Thrones, except I’ll be covered in slime and slugs, whilst someone in a giant slug costume walks behind me, ringing a bell and shouting “SHAME”.

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

My show is looking for a messy night: we’re starting with a filthy vodka martini. It’s crisp. It’s cold. There’re olives. My show is getting that drink down in three sips, four at a push, before ordering a second, then a third, and it’s off to some dancefloor with stinky men.

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?

Lettuce. An endless supply of the stuff. Bags of it. Troves of it. As soon as one lettuce has been devoured, there best be another waiting to go. The slugs are working overtime, and we’ve got to make sure they’re looked after. We don’t need slug walk-outs or protests.

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

My show is smoking a vogue cigarette out the window in the toilet, holding a warm, homemade negroni pre-mix, trauma dumping on some friends they made approximately ten minutes ago. The conversation pivots between hot takes on The Real Housewives, ex boyfriends and Gen Z.

About the show

Slugs

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Stina Otterström and Arttu Lahtinen.

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’ll leave a trail of wine glass shards leading to the venue. Metaphorically. The Fringe insurance team asked us to stress that.

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

A martini, served in a wine glass, just to keep everyone on the edge of their seat.

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

They’d spend dinner asking when the wine glasses are going to get proper jobs and whether we’ve considered doing something “less breakable”

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

Every time they pick up a wine glass they’ll hesitate for just a second… and suddenly feel vastly underqualified

About the show

Soft Spot

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Tom Neenan.

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

The show is about painting portraits and it had crossed my mind to paint the most flattering portrait of a reviewer and send it to them. But I think that may be a step too far – maybe I’ll do something with more dignity like do GB News.

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

It’s probably committed the cardinal sin of believing cancel culture is an actual thing that actually exists, as opposed to being just the consequences of your actions. If you ever hear me complaining about being cancelled, feel free to double-cancel me.

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?

Hmm, I eat a banana, that’s normal, not weirding anyone out doing that one. I make sure I’m hydrated, once again that feels normal. I sometimes jump up and down to get the bloody flowing – not the worst. And then I scream positive affirmations into a mirror. All perfectly normal.

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

Hopefully they will remember a few choice lines that made them laugh and they will remember being slightly too warm. If its anything more than that I will be absolutely delighted.

About the show

Tom Neenan: Portrait of a Tom as a Young Neenan

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Caitlin McEwan.

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 from Edinburgh, and my parents still live here, so chances are if you’re walking through the Meadows in August you’ll be accosted by a man calling himself “Fat Al” selling you tickets with our poster taped to his backpack. Desperate? Maybe. But he’s a very good salesman.

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

One lukewarm pint of Fosters for the lonely man, and one trough of milk for the lady (pig).

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

My friend told me about a sauna just outside of Edinburgh where they waft you with warm air and ‘it feels like being in the womb’. At the end they light a fire outside and give you a herbal tea. If that doesn’t bring me back from the brink, I don’t know what will.

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

They’ll probably think, ‘was I on drugs, or did I see a talking pig and an Andrew Tate apologist at the Pleasance Courtyard last night?’ But regardless of what they thought of the show, hopefully they’ll remember Fat Al, the Meadows ticket seller, fondly.

About the show

Two Little Pigs

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by David Lutken.

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

Playing the guitar in the street while simultaneously singing and dancing (More fun than desperate, I suppose)

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

Refusing to remove the slogan from the guitar.

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

Beer and fishing.

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

I hope we’ll be an ear-worm!

About the show

Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Fionnuala Donnelly.

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

Card tricks, collectible flyers, a team of revolutionaries on the streets of Edinburgh and propaganda videos.

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

A cosmopolitan, with an Old fashioned on the side and 3 shots of vodka (one of which is water)

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

Probably smile politely through conversation, ask if it wanted dessert, then sell up and re-locate not telling anyone where they went.

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

Being bothered by a 19th century Northumbrian folk song going round their head and no idea what its called or where it came from.

About the show

The Painted Revolutionary

Date(s): Week 1 (Fri 7th to Thurs 13th Aug) • Week 2 (Fri 14th to Thur 20th Aug)

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Stella Reilly.

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’ll be releasing various convincing fake articles, all with very negative press towards myself. In the past I’ve made it onto the Scotsman’s list of ‘Top Ten Shows to Eat a Curry In’ and onto the cover of Asian GQ where I anticipate a race war.

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?

I once tried to save money by pre-preparing Coronation Chicken sandwiches for the entire run. I made an entire vat of it at the start of the Fringe and insisted that it was a great idea. It was about three days before I’d realised I’d made a terrible mistake.

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

My self-care is the restaurant Mosque Kitchen. It’s a place to get a cheap curry at any time of the day. It’s outdoors, it’s cost effective, it’s a massive plate of curry and it makes me happy. I honestly eat there every other day, as an absolute minimum.

Q4: 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?

Cryo chamber. I don’t know what it does, but it looks like you can only fit one person in there and it’s good to have your own space. I also drink a can of coke before every show, so I could put all the cokes in there.

About the show

Huge Davies

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Crybabies.

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

While performing our WWII comedy Danger Brigade in 2020, police found an unexploded 1945 bomb outside the venue. We’re not saying we planted it for promo but let’s just say if a plague of demons takes to the Mile this August, it’ll have nothing to do with our horror show 😉

Q2: 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?

For us, it’s gotta be cocaine. It’s just so fun! And SO expensive the rest of the time.

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

They’d say three boys?! One’s bad enough! Nah but seriously, they’d probably mention the cocaine. Something like “For god’s sake, it’s Christmas. The whole family’s here. I don’t care what you do in your own time but my house, my rules. Understand? Now go and change. You stink.”

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

Chaplin, Sheen and XCX (Charlie, Charlie, Charli) But genuinely, it’s so important to get ahead of these things before they become an issue. Men’s mental health is at an all time low and substance abuse only makes things worse. Talk to your mates.

About the show

Crybabies: The Scaring

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Katie Boyle.

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

Manifestation! I’m going to will people into the show because at this point I’ve no other idea how to get people out that doesn’t involve money!

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

A pint of Tennents! Because my show is about being Irish, an immigrant and folklore. In our folklore Brigid would turn water into beer (our Irish Jesus) and being an immigrant I love to drink the locals beer! So Tennents captures the vibe of the show!

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?

Wee anxiety! I get nervous I’ll need to wee on stage so I end up going about five times before the shows so if someone saw me going and back and forth to the loo they might find that odd.

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

Unmedicated adhd but they will have definitely learned more about Ireland the immigrant experience.

About the show

Irish Immigrant

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more

Questions answered by Alex Robins.

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 have free badges for Mayor Max’s biggest fans! Find me at the Fringe to earn one of your own!

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?

I am incredibly grateful to have received funding from The Pleasance and Theatre Royal Plymouth as part of the Edinburgh National Partnerships. This support is allowing me to take a show to the Fringe for the first time.

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

I am rejuvenated every time I pat a dog on the head. Like Popeye with spinach.

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

Spending the whole party in the kitchen with the dog.

About the show

Meet Mayor Max

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

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

Ticket type: Paid

Learn more