What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
Excited (as haven’t been for 5 years and keen to share my show with people).
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
It’s about the friendship of my grandad (world renowned town planner Walter Bor) and his best friend (world famous actor Herbert Lom) and their journey from Nazi-occupied Prague.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
It required a lot of research, filming and a lot of actual work. As a comedian, I am not used to this!
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
Yes, since being a dad, it has been more of a challenge and commitment, but I feel like I have a show this year that is really worth it.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
I am looking forward to seeing James McNicholas, Arnab Chanda, Tom Parry, Ian Smith and Luke McQueen.
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
I’m really excited to be coming back to the Fringe because I haven’t performed in the UK for a while and since then, I think the culture of being a female comedian has shifted slightly but significantly. In Australia it’s been a really exciting time so it’s going to be nice to see in Edinburgh.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
It’s a safari party that starts on a cruise ship. The show explores female friendship in a non-traditional and absurd way.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
Re-imagining the show for an international audience without losing our Australian-ness.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
I’ve always loved the Fringe. It is pretty magical to be near a castle. We don’t have those in Aus. I think as the Fringe grows it obviously becomes harder to make ends meet for everyone but I’ve been pretty privileged and lucky in the past. Hopefully we can find a way to keep the Fringe accessible to younger artists. It made a huge difference for me when I was first starting out. I’d hate to see up and coming people priced out.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
I directed Demi Lardner’s Ditch Witch 800 so I’d love you to see that! I’m also really in love with Snort, an improv group from New Zealand. Zach and Viggo are always a treat, so is Stamptown and Late Night Lip Service.
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
I’d love to keep working on the TV show i’m working on and maybe be able to bring my dog to set. That’s the dream.
Where? Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market – Top (Venue 98)
When? 13:00
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
Really looking forward to this year’s Festival. I always learn so much from doing Ed Fringe, that I am excited to see where another one under my belt can take me. There really is nothing like it, a comedy bootcamp if you will… I am taking two shows up this year; one stand up, one sketch, so I do need to remind myself of the fun that is to be had, because right now I am in the thick of gigging and previewing two shows, so it’s quite intense at the moment.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
Eat Sleep Shit Shag is anecdotal of my ex career as a showgirl, working on cruise ships, and of my time working in India as a Bollywood dancer! I tell tales of my youth in Essex, and how it came about that I even became a professional dancer, and what made me leave that behind for a career in Comedy.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
My first couple of Fringes I was performing character comedy. Girl On Fire & HaveA Word saw my love child Stephanie Vange hold court telling tales of her Essex failings. After a couple of years off, I came back with my first hour of straight stand up as ME. That was the biggest obstacle, getting out of my own way, and realising that I could just be up there with a mic and my stories and that would be enough. I just about believed it by the end of last year’s Fringe, so I am back this year to cement in what I learned, and build on that new confidence.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
In some ways yes, I used to think the Edinburgh Fringe was open to all, even if you didn’t have huge financial support behind you, if you were prepared to work hard – which I did, holding down a job 6 days a week to be able to afford to do the festival! I felt I had proved wherever there was a will there was a way. I am now on my 4th festival, still fully self funded, and tbh it is taking it’s toll! Now I realise in that way the festival is privileged, because without a tonne of gumption (and cash) you can take part, but you will struggle to be consistently do so – Hence the couple of years off I had in the middle. SO, yes the financial side of Ed Fringe I have now seen and experienced, is suffocating new and or developing talent.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
Can I say my own Sketch Show? (Just did) LOL Beg Borrow & Bitch Ridiculously silly, British camp, mixed with retro 80s nostalgia – Think Dynasty on steroids! We are on every night 22:30 at Old Tolbooth Market Bothy Bar! I am also looking forward to seeing Maddie Campion’s solo hour Truly Maddie Deeply, I have seen her gigging the London Circuit and think she is very good. Also I am a big fan of Olga Koch, looking forward to catching her show If/Then during the run! Ooo and Joz Norris, he’s up to something good and different this year! His show is at Heroes of the Hive Joz Norris Is Dead. Long Live Mr Fruit Salad – I mean, what is not to like about that title!
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
This time next year? Shooting the sitcom I have penned – that would be nice… especially as it is set somewhere sunny! But honestly, as long as I am still dabbling and progressing as a stand up, actor and as a writer of all things comedy, I don’t mind, it’s what makes me happiest. Life! It’s a right laugh ain’t it…