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

A GNVQ in Business Studies because it sounds fancy but ultimately it’s useless and no-one knows what it does.

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

Who? Me? Oh stop, I bet you say that to all the comedy shows starring a man with an unkempt moustache… Well, as it happens, I’m doing my new stand-up comedy show ‘Sam Lake: Esméralda’ over at Monkey Barrel Comedy. You should come! It’s about me and my wonderful Spanish mum. Yes, I am the first comedian to have a mum, I’m being very brave.

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

By struggling to remember what I’ve written? Or of I get distracted by an audience members response. The other night I had a 10 minute chat with a Dutch woman about how The Netherlands did in Eurovision, much to the delight(?) of the crowd.

About the show

Sam Lake: Esméralda

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

Time(s): 13:30 (1 hour)

Location: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2

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

It’s tempting to say the beautiful singing will get their hearts a-fluttering but that would just not be true! When our Sara rallies her trade union troops, though, we defy anyone not to want to join the march for justice. And we can guarantee that something in the show will resonate with each and every person in the room.

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

It’s mainly the opportunity to tell the story of Sara Wesker to as many people as possible. Although we’ve set our show firmly in London’s East End in the early part of the 20th century it could be anywhere, any time and its appeal is universal. There’s no other audience like the one at the Fringe and there’s a unique vibe. It’s a bit feral whilst also being terribly respectful of its artists, and we love that.

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

A single espresso; its small but packs a powerful punch, is and it takes no prisoners!

About the show

Chopped Liver and Unions @bluefire_tc

Date(s): Aug 2-10, 12-17, 19-24

Time(s): Times vary. Click ‘Dates, times and prices’ to view the calendar (1 hour 5 minutes)

Location: Paradise in Augustines – The Studio

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

It’s the largest arts festival in the world, where else would I want to bring my show Chatterbox too if not to talk to the world.

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

I loved Latin at school. The class was small and the teachers enchanted us and brought to life the stories of Roman history and language. Watching I Claudius on TV made it all the more real. Amo, amas, amat.

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

I flyer for my own show and I get a feel for who might be at the show especially if they have come because of me. I want them to have the best hour possible and for the audience to leave being entertained, educated and with a glow on their face.

About the show

Chatterbox

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-25

Time(s): 16:55 (1 hour)

Location: Pleasance Courtyard – The Green

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

They’ll just need to roll over and I will be there offering them coffee and a delicious pastry (the inference here being that they have spent the night with me!!!)

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

My show ends with me covered in blood, so I have to do lots of washing, which means wearing wet clothes. The cold damp against my skin whilst performing is exhilarating, and is what ensures I remain one of the greatest performers to ever grace a stage.

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

In a very literal sense there are a lot of jumpscares, which do elevate heart rate. It is a dream of mine. Also I’m not ashamed to admit it; I’m very good looking.

About the show

Andrew Doherty: Gay Witch Sex Cult

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

Time(s): 23:00 (1 hour)

Location: Pleasance Courtyard – Attic

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

I loved Latin at school. The class was small and the teachers enchanted us and brought to life the stories of Roman history and language. Watching I Claudius on TV made it all the more real. Amo, amas, amat.

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

Flyering for my own show gives me a feel for who might be there, especially if they have come because of me. I want them to have the best hour possible and for the audience to leave being entertained, educated and with a glow on their faces.

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

It’s the largest arts festival in the world, where else would take my show. Given that it’s called Chatterbox, I want to talk to the world.

About the show

Chatterbox @LubnaKerr

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-25

Time(s): 16:55 (1 hour)

Location: Pleasance Courtyard – The Green

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

I’d be a flat white. Smaller in size than the other coffees, but packing just as much of a punch. The perfect little pick me up.

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

That’s easy, it’d be Sex Ed! And there’s plenty of that in the show. You won’t only be laughing, you’ll be learning as well – a win-win if I do say so myself.

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

Everyone wants to feel like the show is just for them, so I always try and reference something happening in the room on that particular day. That way every show is unique and it stays fresh.

About the show

Bella Humphries: Square Peg

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

Time(s): 18:10 (1 hour)

Location: Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Bottle Room

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

This show is MADE for Edinburgh Fringe, it’s fast-paced and comedic throughout, whilst also being thoughtful and exploring important themes around sexuality, identity and family.

How will the audience remember you the morning after?

Audiences will remember a fun, entertaining and camp comedy theatre show that related to them in more ways than they’ll want to admit.

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

It would be sex ed – a deep dive into the do’s and don’t’s of coming of age!

About the show

BI-TOPIA

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

Time(s): 16:15 (1 hour)

Location: Underbelly, Cowgate – Belly Laugh

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

Destiny and a series of extraordinary chances and people brought us here. I set up Half Moon Street with my friend Robert Jackson and we brought The Sound Inside to the wonderful producer Pádraig Cusack and decided to reach out to writer Adam Rapp. Luckily he immediately loved our vision for the production. The Fringe is the perfect place to do this UK premiere, filled with direct storytelling and fluid gripping drama.

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

Espresso with a lemon twist. It wakes you up right away.

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

It is daring and surprising and shocks in the best way. It’s a kind of love story at heart, about two outsiders who connect with each other. When a creative writing professor asks a particularly dark favour of her student, the stakes ramp to an extreme level. Our creative team is top notch, with the stunning soundscapes and lighting. Our director is a past master at this kind of work – which is utterly subtle, compelling, totally evocative.

About the show

The Sound Inside

Date(s): Aug 3-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25

Time(s): Times vary. Click ‘Dates, times and prices’ to view the calendar (1 hour 20 minutes)

Location: Traverse Theatre – Traverse 1

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

long black with something luscious on the side.

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

Audiences may expect to be taught how to draw. The play is set in a drawing class tutored by The Artist. There is a model called Estelle. Everyone will be given paper and pencil. They can draw or not as they wish. It’s a play. It’s pretend.

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

sheer bloody mindedness and intimations of mortality

About the show

LIFE

Date(s): Jul 31 Aug 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26

Time(s): Times vary. Click ‘Dates, times and prices’ to view the calendar (1 hour 5 minutes)

Location: Scottish Storytelling Centre – Netherbow Theatre

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

My Little Phobia ranges from pure physical comedy to deep existential crisis. I don’t want to spoil too much but I’ve been told the show is great at drawing people in and then hitting them with a gut punch.

How do you keep your performances fresh every night?

The show’s subject matter – my very real, very extreme fear of vomit/vomiting/vomiters – comes up for me (pun intended) and changes every performance of My Little Phobia. Deep down, I am genuinely afraid of every single audience member. I never know whether someone is just coughing or about to, well, you know…

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

Hair of the Dog. No nauseating hangovers allowed here!!! Actually let’s do 2 paracetamol, a large iced coffee, a greasy breakfast, and lots of water. You know what, start drinking the water the night before. Drink 2 waters to every 1 alcoholic drink. Actually don’t drink alcohol at all. What was the question again?

About the show

Emily Markoe

Date(s): Aug 2-10, 12-17, 20-24

Time(s): 17:10 (50 minutes)

Location: Greenside @ Riddles Court – Clover Studio