It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year! We have also been able to interview some of the acts that are heading up to the Fringe as well.

 Bathroom of a Bar on Bleecker

Location:  Paradise In The Vault – The Annexe (Venue 29 )

Dates: Aug 6th-13th, 15th-20th, 22nd-27th

Time: 21:45

Price: £8 Concession £6

Ticket Link:  https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bathroom-of-a-bar-on-bleecker

Hello! Tell us about  what you’re doing right now ?

It is 12:27 PM on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I am 32 years old and I believe the sun is shining as I type this from a windowless room inside of an office building. One of the perks of this temp job is they give me free lunch every day (very rare to find, very grateful, if anyone from here is reading this). Usually, it’s amazing but today it was a sandwich and I think I have an issue with bread, because it feels like my stomach is currently being ripped apart, but hey, like they say, “My stomach’s pain is my wallet’s gain.” Nobody ever said that. 

I have spent the last 3 hours putting, I want to say, 25-175 pounds of documents into a large bin that I will then transfer into smaller bins to be taken to a place for said documents to be shredded. Hopefully, if the right people (really anyone who buys a ticket) comes to see my shows in Edinburgh, this will no longer be my life. Though, I’ll happily still accept free lunches, bread or no bread. 

What’s the name of your show this year?

Bathroom of a Bar on Bleecker (and Healing+)

How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the fringe?

It was going to be the name for an entirely different play, but it ended up working perfectly for this one since the setting is the bathroom of a bar on Bleecker Street in New York City. Hey, when you move paper for a living, you don’t have too much time to be creative. (Spoiler: I wrote this show before being assigned to this job. I am much better at writing plays than moving paper and I am damn good at moving paper or as I call it, weight. Moving weight.)

Tell us all about your show!

It’s the end of an era as Jack records the final episode of America’s #1 comedy podcast. Join this legend for one last flush. Live from the Bathroom of a Bar on Bleecker. Every King needs a throne and every King has the potential to destroy the world. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Katharyn Henson, Carter Morgan, Sid Singh, Ollie Horn, Martin Mor, Anthony DeVito, Helen Bauer and many more!

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe?

Yes! In 2019, I performed with Carter Morgan and Jeanne Whitney. We were all strangers who met at a comedy show in Paris, where we discovered we all wanted to do the Fringe one day. So, we started a group chat, came up with a show and brought it to Edinburgh a few months later.

Best advice I never listen to: stick to a budget.

I can’t offer any advice to anyone who is already going to be performing at the Fringe. But to people who are thinking about performing at the Fringe, my advice is go for it. Stop overthinking and start spending a half hour to an hour every day to come up with a plan. Don’t spend your whole day thinking about it because that will become overwhelming. Spend a few minutes every day trying to come up with a plan on how to bring your show to the festival and you will make it happen. Watch some Steve Harvey motivational speeches on YouTube.  

What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

Some of my favorite shows in 2019 were Daniel Kitson’s work-in-progress show at The Stand, Orlando Baxter’s ‘Finding Mariah’, Katharyn Henson’s ‘Ew Girl You Nasty’, Molly Brenner’s ‘I’m Coming’, Bernie Dieter’s Little Death Club and more!  All of these shows included elements of things I want to do within my performances and my careers. I’d consider all of these shows and performers major influences on the work I’m creating today. 

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

“Get up and flush.” A great summary for Bleecker. It says so much in so few words. Balancing professional and personal life, being a good partner and friend, not letting your obsessions and passions over power your heart, having control of your demons and bowels.

What three items are essential for a successful Fringe? 

An unbreakable belief in your dreams, Tesco meal deals, anything that keeps your feet dry

What have been some of the most unique and different comedy shows you have seen this year and why?

And Toto Too at the 2022 FRIGID Festival absolutely blew my mind. The level of commitment to the performance made the entire thing hilarious and emotional. I’d see that show once a week if I could.   

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Spending time with friends while also having enough time to be with yourself and chill out, once in a while. 

What is the best thing about performing at the fringe?

The fact that anything is possible. You have no idea who might be in the audience. One show could completely change your life. 

What is the most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

One show could completely change your life. I’m always catching myself trying to make every part of each show perfect when that really takes away from the fun of them. It’s really difficult to relax and go with the flow when you know anything is possible in Edinburgh. 

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

1. A motivational speech/story on YouTube that you can relisten to constantly. Steve Harvey has some great ones. 2.) Money. 3.) Something to keep your feet dry

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Find ways to promote your show without having to flyer or find times to flyer that will not impact your energy for showtime. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Brian Koppelman

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/mikelemme/

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Joe Rogan Shakespeare