How will the audience remember you the morning after?

As a man who says ‘Baby’ four times a sentence.

What do you/your show do to make an audience’s heart beat faster?

I bring three audience members onstage at the start of the show, give them boater hats, and turn them into a barbershop quartet. They’re then on stage for the next 45 minutes while I use them (and a second, real, barbershop quartet) to tell a story about the most high-octane musical form: barbershop. If that doesn’t raise the pulse, I don’t know what will.

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

Barbershop quartet singing is NOT DEAD. It’s also NOT IRRELEVANT. It’s also NOT UNCOOL. Many people, mostly from the safety of a moving vehicle, have levelled accusations like this about me and my boys when we’re out and about in our boater hats. Answer me this: if Barbershop quartets are so uncool, then how come I have three (3) friends?

About the show

Tom Whiston: The Dandy Daniels

Date(s): Aug 13-18, 20-25

Time(s): 21:30 (1 hour)

Location: Bedlam Theatre – Bedlam Theatre

If you/your show were a school subject what would you/it be and why?

I would be journalism class, because through these songs I am acting largely as a performing journalist. The show itself would be an environmental studies class, teaching about what’s currently happening due to climate change.

What do you/your show do to make an audience’s heart beat faster?

The Seas Are Rising presents through song the stories of climate events that are already happening around the world, things which most attendees are not even aware are happening such as island nations already planning to relocate their populations, entire rivers and reservoirs drying up and revealing ghost towns and lost World War II warships. The audience is surprised to learn that these climate events are already happening in the present.

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

Because the show is about a very serious subject, people might assume it’s a show full of drudgery and melancholy songs. While there are some sad, minor key songs, there also are danceable/funky songs, and exihirating songs aimed at inspiring the audience to believe they can make a difference.

About the show

The Seas Are Rising: Stories of a Climate in Crisis

Date(s): Aug 19-25

Time(s): 19:20 (1 hour)

Location: Paradise in Augustines – The Snug

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

As the comedian who told them way more than was necessary, but made them laugh while doing it. I also hope the show serves as a positive reminder that we all do daft and embarrassing things, but at the end of the day… it’s all just mad memories and great stories.

If you/your show were a school subject what would you/it be and why?

Drama, because I live for it! It’s no surprise my first email address was dramaqueen54649@whateveritwas.com. I love shocking stories, twisty tales and spilling secrets. Cringe is about telling all, no matter how ridiculous or unhinged. It’s the perfect show for drama queens, drama kings and drama royal-thems. It’s also great for anyone who likes to laugh at people making a right wally of themselves (I.E, me).

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

Cringe is an interactive show with a nice sprinkling of crowd work and a little dash of audience voting, so it will be different every night! The gist will remain the same, but each performance will have it’s own unique chaos which always happens when you chat to the crowd. It’ll keep me on my toes and keep the show fresh as a daisy, night after night. I LOVE organised fun.

About the show

Dani Johns: Cringe

Date(s): Aug 15-26

Time(s): 19:40 (45 minutes)

Location: Hoots @ The Apex – Hoot 5

What brings a nice show like yours to a place like the Edinburgh Fringe?

The magnificent House of Oz. They celebrate Australian creativity, innovation and original stories. Without them, I would not be bringing The State of Grace to Edinburgh. They have supported this project throughout its development.

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

That this show is dark. Not true! There is so much lightness in the story of Grace Bellavue. She was outrageously funny with a wicked sense of humour. Yes she suffered, but there was so much joy and cheekiness in every aspect of her life. She never took herself seriously. Audiences will discover a highly intelligent woman who knew how to ‘translate humanity into everything she did’. Concepts about sex work and the industry will be shattered.

If you/your show were a school subject what would you/it be and why?

Sex education ; ) You’ll leave this show with a new perspective and increased knowledge about the sex work industry. You’ll also feel more comfortable with expressing your own sexuality and basic human needs.

About the show

The State of Grace

Date(s): Aug 1-6, 8-12, 14-19, 21-24

Time(s): 19:05 (1 hour 5 minutes)

Location: Assembly Rooms – Drawing Room

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

It’s all about chemistry. And my chemist does an excellent job.

What do you/your show do to make an audience’s heart beat faster?

I pick up an accordion, I almost play it, I put it down again… and I repeat. The alarm is palpable. And theSpace has paramedics standing by.

What brings a nice show like yours to a place like the Edinburgh Fringe?

Fighting for scraps of attention is my love language. And securing lodging in Edinburgh is a pleasure.

About the show

AL! The Weird Tribute (And How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up In This Nonsense)

Date(s): Aug 2-10, 12-24

Time(s): 21:05 (50 minutes)

Location: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Stephenson Theatre

What coffee would you/your show be, and why?

A whole pot of American drip coffee. There’s too much of it and it will immediately send you to the bathroom.

What brings a nice show like yours to a place like the Edinburgh Fringe?

Cause theatres in America are a dangerous place for Abraham Lincoln to be.

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

Hopefully like Lincoln, gone too soon.

About the show

Ellie MacPherson: Babe Lincoln

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 1-6, 8-11, 13-18, 20-25

Time(s): 16:35 (1 hour)

Location: Pleasance Courtyard – Attic

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

My show isn’t about Jeans and a nice top, sorry to disappoint the fashion community. It’s about growing up in the 90/00s and the daft stuff we got up to as kids. I would like to tell you that me being obsessed with the 90s was a misconception but it isn’t…. I am doing a whole Edinburgh show about it, but maybe, just maybe if you come to the show you will find out why I am obsessed with the past!

What coffee would you/your show be, and why?

My show would be an espresso martini. You will feel pumped, happy, and ready for a great evening by the end of it.

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

I am like that girl you become best friends with in the toilets on a night out. We WILL be mates by the end of the show. If you need to borrow a tampon or cry to me about your partner just say the word (not during the show please).

About the show

Jeans and a nice top

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 1-11, 13-25

Time(s): 20:30 (1 hour)

Location: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three

What brings a nice show like yours to a place like the Edinburgh Fringe?

As a Scottish creative who’s lived in Edinburgh for 5 years, there’s nowhere else I would rather premier my play. I’ve grown up going to the Fringe and it’s always been this wee gal’s dream to put something on there – and now it’s finally happening! I think the show will appeal to tourists and locals alike – we’ve got loads of chaos, Scottish banter and a sprinkling of Gaelic – what’s not to love?

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

I’m guessing people think PALS is a chick-flick. These gals are not cute and fluffy in any way, they’re extremely flawed and crude but entirely human. They’re all just trying to navigate their lives and avoid being average. There’s also no romance or jealousy at all! We explore the boundaries of female friendship and raise awareness of some bigger issues but not in a preachy way, we’re just saying “this is what young women sometimes deal with”.

If you/your show were a school subject what would you/it be and why?

It’s not a subject as such, but PALS is definitely the play version of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. These 4 girls are taken out of their comfort zones and plonked on an outdoor expedition where they’re exposed emotionally and physically to the elements and each other. It’s an unforgettable experience, in all the best and worst ways, and everyone comes back a little changed, probably vowing to never do it again.

About the show

PALS

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-26

Time(s): 17:00 (1 hour)

Location: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Dram

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

The way I look at “American Two in One Comics” is that the show is a blank slate. Myself and Chris Warren will each do 30 minutes of stand up comedy each night, and I’m going to use my time to talk about whatever I want. If I want to do a series of jokes, I will. If I want to do storytelling that night, I will tell stories. If I want to spend my time polling the audience to find out what flavor IRN-BRU is really, I will do that!

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

“American Two in One Comics” is a straightforward stand up show. Outside of us being Americans (and, oddly enough, both sons of gay fathers), this is a show without gimmicks. It is pure stand up for two genuine American weirdos. I think audiences will leave the show thinking, “those nerds were funny and maybe guys with gay dads can still be very masculine!”

What coffee would you/your show be, and why?

“American Two in One Comics” is an American stand up show, so you figure that we would be an “Americano. But, we don’t actually drink a lot of “Americanos” in the USA. No, America Runs On Dunkin, so we would be a Dunkin Pumpkin Spice Ice Coffee (a hot coffee that they put in the fridge all day and then squeeze three pumps of “pumpkin flavor” syrup into it). We are a low brow coffee you grab on the way to work that you can’t get enough of.

About the show

American Two in One Comics

Date(s): Aug 1-25

Time(s): 22:00 (1 hour)

Location: Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle – Flight Club

What brings a nice show like yours to a place like the Edinburgh Fringe?

Edinburgh has an extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat. I’m hoping my show will generate enough laughter to split open the crust of the earth and bring this volcano back to life.

What do you/your show do to make an audience’s heart beat faster?

At some point in the show, everyone will get a call from their mom.

What misconceptions do you think people have about you/your show – would you like to clear them up?

You don’t have to be a scientist or know anything about volcanoes to enjoy the show! Sure, I’ve been criticized for the part of the performance where I individually call everyone who isn’t a scientist up on stage and make them take an exam while the audience jeers at them and throws tomatoes, but as long as you get a perfect score you get to leave the show with your life and I think that’s only fair.

About the show

Ben Miller: Volcano

Date(s): Aug 1-11, 13-18, 20-25

Time(s): 13:05 (1 hour)

Location: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Up the Stairs