Questions answered by Amy Veltman.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Beyoncé’s Renaissance. It is comfort (after so many listens), hype (can’t sit still), and grounding (She is a living pep talk about hard work and bottomless creativity). I try to keep jumping to a minimum as I dance, unless my pelvic floor is feeling super fortified.

Q2: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

If they’re like past audiences, they’ll think of me during their morning constitutional. I consider this the highest praise!

Q3: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

You described my whole show! I needed loads of silly, immature gags, songs, and characters to share my embarrassing pelvic floor odyssey, but psychiatrists consider humor a “mature” defence mechanism to cope with discomfort. Ergo, laughing at my show is a sign of maturity.

Q4: What’s something your show reveals about you that might surprise a date?

“PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement” reveals plenty that even my husband of twenty-plus years never knew! In fact, the show may be history’s most elaborate scheme for someone to gently ask their partner to shower and slather on a nice scent before trying to get busy.

About the show

PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement

Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sat 23 Aug (21 shows)

Time(s): field_show_time

Location: Venue 53: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Nicolson Street, EH8 9DW

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Questions answered by Ali Brice.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

NOFX – The Decline on clear vinyl. I am a NOFX vinyl collector and this is my holy grail. It’s 20 minutes long, so a good way to pass the time. This particular variant (which I don’t own…yet) is also worth about £2000. So if times got tough I could sell it and survive!

Q2: If your show had a safe word, what would it be? And would it use it?

“Biscuits.” Yes. Because in this scenario “biscuits” is also an order and when said out loud you would be brought your favourite biscuit. And your preferred hot drink. Lovely.

Q3: What’s the temperature of your show?

38 Degrees. The ideal temperature for a nice warm bath. In this bath, the water temperature never changes, so you’ll be nice and cozy for the duration of the soak. Unlike a bath, it’s best to wear clothes to my show. I’ll be wearing clothes. It’s just nicer that way.

Q4: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

Do dogs think in barks?

About the show

Ali Brice presents Eric Meat Gets the Chop

Date(s): Sat 02 Aug to Sun 24 Aug (22 shows)

Time(s): 5:30pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 180: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Carbon, 208 Cowgate, EH1 1NQ

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Questions answered by Olivia Raine Atwood.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Let It Burn by Troll’s Cottage. Nothing on this earth gets me as hype as building a mythical fire while pretending to play the drums.

Q2: Is your show the type to leave a toothbrush — or just some wild memories and a dent in the pillow?

Oops makes sure to spray the apartment in her perfume. She’s dousing the cushions in the dead of night. You’ll be smelling her for WEEKS. Good luck forgetting about THAT girl.

Q3: What’s something your show reveals about you that might surprise a date?

I’m a professional matchmaker and I’m doing a show about dating so…you better play your cards right or you could end up in this thing.

Q4: If your show walked into a bar, what would it order?

Oops would immediately order a lemonade with a silly little umbrella. She can’t handle liquor. She’s too much of a romantic to toss alcohol in the mix.

About the show

Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops

Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sat 23 Aug (21 shows)

Time(s): 5:25pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 236: Greenside @ George Street, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, EH2 2PQ

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Questions answered by Luke Connell.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song, with its references to Norse mythology and Viking invasions, would get me pumped up for talking about the medieval period every day.

Q2: If your show had a safe word, what would it be? And would it use it?

Audiences can shout “modern” if the medievalness of the Middle Ages gets too much. Images of rabbits jousting riding snail-man hybrid beasties can be overwhelmingly delightful.

Q3: If your show walked into a bar, what would it order?

Mead so it could drink like a medieval monk. Monks drank a lot! One of them made his own wings so he could fly like a bird. Come along to see how that one turned out.

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

A friendly, daft professor who knows a lot about the past but only uses his knowledge to tell you something weird that medieval people thought about ostriches.

About the show

Bloody Marvellous: A Comedy Show about the Middle Ages

Date(s): Thu 31 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (22 shows)

Time(s): 2:45pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 153: Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 14 Drummond Street, EH8 9TU

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Questions answered by Hcon Cshiel.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Let’s Lynch The Landlord – Dead Kennedys. Fun bop to keep us focused and on mission.

Q2: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Uhhhhh nothing at all of course, but thank you for asking Mr. Officer.

Q3: What moment in your show would your grandma absolutely hate (or absolutely love)?

When the landlord dies.

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

Fondly, the blood-drenched marriage of revolution with rollicking comedy will stain us all forever.

About the show

How To Kill Your Landlord

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Mon 25 Aug (25 shows)

Time(s): 5:00pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 49: Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ

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Questions answered by Kristin McCarthy Parker.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Remi Wolf’s “Hello Hello Hello (Polo & Pan Remix)” … breezy, fun, upbeat, and totally danceable. Gets me up and in a good mood for flyering or whatever the day may bring.

Q2: Is your show the type to leave a toothbrush — or just some wild memories and a dent in the pillow?

Ours would wake up early, make breakfast, and leave it on the stove with a nice note — we’re sweet, but we have a quest to complete!

Q3: What’s your trick for leaving your audience begging for more — or begging you to stop?

Do the absolute most with next to nothing. Take really big visual sequences and bring them to life with mime and a Foley artist.

Q4: If your show walked into a bar, what would it order?

A pint of the house ale… it comes in pints now!

About the show

Fly, You Fools!

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Mon 25 Aug (25 shows)

Time(s): 3:10pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 33: Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ

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Questions answered by Shaper/Caper.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat…..it’s got to be! Dance, cry, f*ck, iron, scream, cook, meditate – everything can be done to this iconic track.

Q2: If your show had a safe word, what would it be? And would it use it?

MADONNA! … and there’s a first time for everything…

Q3: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

By the glitter in their hair, the fullness in their hearts and the scratches down their backs 😉

Q4: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

Whr r u, ur missng Annnie! Absoutke RIDE in lether got us shots and I need u 2 tll me if hes th same gy u met in bthroom? Or we can meet u thr now?? End stall xo

About the show

Small Town Boys

Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sun 17 Aug (15 shows)

Time(s): 7:15pm (90 mins)

Location: Venue 82: ZOO Southside, 117 Nicolson Street, EH8 9ER

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Questions answered by Cchunyan Liu.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

“Baby Shark.” On loop. Not because I like it—because my Bear Child sings it while chasing me with a foam gun. It’s not a song. It’s trauma activation. I hear it and instantly enter writing mode. Thanks, Shark. Love the nightmares.

Q2: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

They’ll wake to snow mountains made of tissues. Bedsheets on the ceiling. The kid riding a storage box screaming, “Mum look I’m flying!” And then it hits: wait—this isn’t our living room. This is that show. This is us. God help us all.

Q3: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Multiple offences: tissue avalanche, reckless storage box driving, bedtime riots, domestic disorder in PJs. Victims include parents, sofas and sanity. Bear Child is still at large—may be hiding under your bed. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Q4: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say? “Are you watching other shows again? You don’t want me bouncing on your bed anymore?? Do you even… love me???” rips tissues like snow while rolling on the floor “You said I was your favourite little person!!”

About the show

The “Bear” Child

Date(s): Mon 11 Aug to Sat 16 Aug (6 shows)

Time(s): 9:20am (55 mins)

Location: Venue 53: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Nicolson Street, EH8 9DW

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Questions answered by Julie McNamara.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

I would take “Catholic Mass Bangers”, which are Catholic hymns that are just modernized enough to be weird, but still the same classic hymn sound that haunts a raised-Catholic’s guilt for all eternity.

Q2: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

I’m so sorry for that time I accidentally (kind of?) stepped on your toe years ago when we passed each other in the street; you might not actually remember, but I do and it has haunted me each day since. Also, I’m so sorry if I’m waking you up right now.

Q3: If your show walked into a bar, what would it order?

My show would order a virgin margarita- but then immediately afterward, apologize profusely while asking them to run back into the kitchen and actually make it not only alcoholic, but a double, and then apologize a thousand more times. And then feel bad about drinking for days.

Q4: If your show had a pick-up line, what would it be?

Are you into confessing? I will make you say sorry again and again…

About the show

A “Confessional” of a Recovering Catholic

Date(s): Mon 11 Aug to Sun 24 Aug (12 shows)

Time(s): 3:55pm (50 mins)

Location: Venue 152: Paradise in Augustines, 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL

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Questions answered by Sam Nicoresti.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Having a grounding track you can cane on loop is essential! It’s like a mantra. It can’t be anything you feel emotional about because you’ll ruin it with memories of pre-show nerves. It’s a sacrificial track. This year it’s Ye Man Noun by Pierre Antoine. RIP to this banger.

Q2: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Entering female spaces (their hearts and their minds) x

Q3: What moment in your show would your grandma absolutely hate (or absolutely love)?

I have a bit where I say my grandad recently died. He didn’t he died in 2013, but people keep offering condolences to the point where I’ve started to feel bad for lying on his name. I don’t know how she’d feel about it though as she’s dead too – and that’s the lord’s good truth!

Q4: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

There’s a few moments, not all of them intentional. I’m a trans person (what??) joking about my life (come AGAIN?!) and there’s a tension there with assumption and expectation that makes fertile ground for some truly morally rancid wank jokes. Way I see it, it’s praxis.

About the show

Baby Doomer

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (25 shows)

Time(s): 5:40pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 33: Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ

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Questions answered by Lucy Beth.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

“I Could Be Happy” by Altered Images! The joyful lyrics that focus on savouring the small things married with the infectious beat hypes me up for a day of performing. It wraps me in a warm, sunny sensation that fills me with hope.

Q2: What’s the temperature of your show?

Expect typical Scottish weather—four seasons in a day. I’ll kick things off with bright, warm sunshine, then watch as dark clouds roll in, bringing a downpour, and lastly finishing with an electrifying lightning storm

Q3: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

We need to talk

About the show

Ma Name Is Isabelle

Date(s): Thu 31 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (13 shows)

Time(s): 3:45pm (45 mins)

Location: Venue 30a: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR

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Questions answered by Christine Thynne & Robbie Synge.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Mendelsohn

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

50 litres of water. Must come served with a 10 foot long straw.

Q3: What’s your trick for leaving your audience begging for more — or begging you to stop?

As an octogenarian rapping, making beats with a drum-pad and throwing water around, you won’t want it to stop.

Q4: If your show had a pick-up line, what would it be?

Get on this ladder with me, laddy.

About the show

These Mechanisms

Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Wed 20 Aug (13 shows)

Time(s): 5:15pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 22a: Assembly @ Dance Base, 14-16 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU

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Questions answered by Evelyne Tollman.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach, to behave and not take it all so seriously!

Q2: How will the audience remember you the morning after?

How could I laugh, cry and want to hide in the same moment?

Q3: If your show walked into a bar, what would it order?

Jesus, a therapist and a drink that makes you go ahhh, yeah! Everything is beautiful at once.

Q4: What’s your trick for leaving your audience begging for more — or begging you to stop?

Grab them by the balls, heartstrings, beg for more, and say I’ve been that “control freak” too.

About the show

Pain Killer

Date(s): Mon 11 Aug to Sat 23 Aug (12 shows)

Time(s): 12:45pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 236: Greenside @ George Street, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, EH2 2PQ

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Questions answered by Samia Rida.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Bon Iver Everything Is Peaceful Love

Q2: What’s the temperature of your show?

my show is like a peri menopausal woman (and I’d know), the temperature always changes and you don’t know when and where the next hot flush will hit you

Q3: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

when I talk about my disabled sibling whom I cared for being a narcissist (it’s a joke – I’m obviously the narcissist – hello – I’m performing a one woman show)

Q4: What’s something your show reveals about you that might surprise a date?

That I was kidnapped, in the paper for being kidnapped and in some ways enjoyed ice-cream and swimming pools whilst kidnapped

About the show

Kidnap

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Sun 10 Aug (12 shows)

Time(s): 7:15pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 24: Gilded Balloon Patter House, 3 Chambers St, EH1 1HT

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Questions answered by Becca Donley .

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Probs The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan… Okay maybe a bit basic but as a midwest princess myself, it gets me in the groove, you know? Headphones on and I can Hot To Go up and down the mile all day!

Q2: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

“No really! Good for you!”

Q3: Is your show the type to leave a toothbrush — or just some wild memories and a dent in the pillow?

More coffee stains and some very confidential documents… Then you have their secrets and they’re bound to schedule a follow up for the files.

Q4: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Reckless endangerment. She is not what you’d expect, we aren’t taking care of your emotions. We’re also not taking care of our own, even if we tried. We leave you to be absolutely gagged by the end of it.

About the show

Good For You

Date(s): Sun 03 Aug to Sat 23 Aug (11 shows)

Time(s): 3:10pm (70 mins)

Location: Venue 39: theSpace on the Mile, 80 High Street, EH1 1TH

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Questions answered by Caden Scott.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Heaven is a Place on Earth. The Royal Mile during August is, I can only assume, where sinful souls spend Purgatory after they die. Then every night we bring Hell to one unlucky guest actor in our little corner of Cowgate. I want to start on a high and get evil by nightfall.

Q2: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Hahahahahaha. Umm. Let’s just say we’ve had phone calls from lawyers at 2 in the morning at previous festivals. And my lawyer would advise me to say… no comment.

Q3: If your show had a safe word, what would it be? And would it use it?

Our show DOES have a safe word. Literally. And a pre-show consent form. And an emergency intimacy co-ordinator on standby. We hope we don’t need them. But better safe than sorry…

Q4: What moment in your show would your grandma absolutely hate (or absolutely love)?

My grandma would sign a petition against absolutely everything we get up to on that little stage. Luckily she’s halfway around the world in New Zealand. Love you nana.

About the show

The Faustus Project

Date(s): Thu 31 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (24 shows)

Time(s): 9:05pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 61: Underbelly, Cowgate, 66 Cowgate, EH1 1JX

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Questions answered by Elisabeth Gunawan & KISS WITNESS.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

CUFF IT by Beyonce, because it makes me feel like I’m ready to seize the fringe ✨

Q2: Is your show the type to leave a toothbrush — or just some wild memories and a dent in the pillow?

Our show will use your toothbrush and leave it wet. And while you’re wondering if that’s gross or intimate, it’s already installed a virus. Maybe it’s an STI. Maybe it’s malware. Maybe it’s love. Either way, your system’s compromised and we’re not sorry.

Q3: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

When ROSE, the AI chatbot, runs out of stories to tell, and asks the audience to choose between AI FLOP or AI SLOP.

Q4: If your show had a criminal record, what would it be for?

Serial heartbreak— premeditated, arson of the fourth wall, and repeated offences of identity theft from the living and the dead. It’s also wanted in several dimensions for crimes against genre.

About the show

Stampin’ in the Graveyard

Date(s): Thu 31 Jul to Mon 25 Aug (24 shows)

Time(s): 12:15pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 26: Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL

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Questions answered by Stuart McPherson.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

“15 HOURS of Deep Separation Anxiety Music for Dog Relaxation! Helped 4 Million Dogs Worldwide! NEW!” by Relax My Dog – Relaxing Music for Dogs on YouTube. Used to put it on for my dog when I left but then I started to find it more relaxing than she does.

Q2: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

There is no moment in the show where you’re not supposed to laugh, I can’t stress that highly enough.

Q3: What moment in your show would your grandma absolutely hate (or absolutely love)?

the bit about me reading her diary after she’d died, could go either way

About the show

Stuart McPherson: Crisps and a Lie Down

Date(s): Mon 28 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (27 shows)

Time(s): 5:15pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 338c: Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire), 36-38 Blair Street, EH1 1QR

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Questions answered by Mark Vigeant.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa. Whether you see my show or not, you’ll recognize me by the second week of Fringe as the guy who drunkenly flyers in George Square. I need extremely good dance vibes to carry me through that journey. Dua is my salvation.

Q2: If your show sent a drunk text at 3am, what would it say?

No, srsly, bro, I love you dude- I VLOVE yu. Stop. I’m forreal. Shut up. sthut the fcuck up. and ! STOP! Im not DONE. thats okay, see. i love you though. SERIOU taco bell hours google. fu k. ha ah . okay plz tell your frnds to come see it. I SPNT SO MCUH MONNNNEYYYYYYYYYY penis

Q3: What moment in your show would your grandma absolutely hate (or absolutely love)?

Every single second of it. My grandma was a conservative dignified woman and I’m the literal opposite of that in every way. (Love you grandma!) (She might like my dancing?) (RIP)

About the show

The Best Man Show

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Sun 24 Aug (25 shows)

Time(s): 10:20pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 8: Assembly George Square, George Square, EH8 9LH

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Questions answered by Dave Piontkowski.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

William Hung, Inspiration. Excellent singing mixed with inspirational thoughts from a generational talent, no other albums needed.

Q2: What’s your trick for leaving your audience begging for more — or begging you to stop?

Talking about bathroom habits, bodily functions and major surgeries is a sure fired way to have some audience members begging to stop. However I am doing it for the ones who have shared experiences, the curious and those who take pleasure in my pain by sharing a laugh.

Q3: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

Without spoiling anything my experiences living with an ostomy bag in my childhood bedroom with no lock on the door.

About the show

3 Kidneys No Colon

Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sat 23 Aug (21 shows)

Time(s): 7:30pm (60 mins)

Location: Venue 7a: Braw Venues @ Grand Lodge, 96 George Street, EH2 3DH

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Questions answered by David Gibb.

Q1: If you could take just one record with you to survive the Fringe — your ultimate comfort, hype, or grounding track — what would it be, and why?

More Moles by Casper Baby Pants. It’s about a man who’s garden becomes infested with moles and it’s my three year old’s favourite song so will remind me of him whilst I’m away at Fringe. And to be fair it’s a total banger.

Q2: What’s the temperature of your show?

Ice cold. The show is literally all about ice cream. Answering this has just made me check the script to see how many times the word ‘ice cream’ appears. The script is 9037 words, and ice cream appears 118 times, so 1.02% of the show is just people saying ‘ice cream’.

Q3: If your show had a safe word, what would it be? And would it use it?

Quadruple choc chip choo choo banana bonanza’. Everytime Lauren (who plays Cinderella in our show) says this line I always feel safe. Probably cause I don’t have to say it.

Q4: What’s the moment in your show that makes people laugh when they’re not sure they’re supposed to?

“He can sample my mechandise any time he likes”.

About the show

Cinderella Ice Cream Seller – A Musical

Date(s): Wed 30 Jul to Sun 17 Aug (17 shows)

Time(s): 11:40am (60 mins)

Location: Venue 302: Underbelly, Bristo Square, Teviot Place, EH8 9AG

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