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.

Notflix: Binge

Location:  Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Big Yin (Venue 24)

Dates: Aug 3-28th

Time: 17:00

Price: £9

Ticket Link:  https://edinburghfestival.datathistle.com/event/1848099-notflix-binge/

Hello! Tell us about Notflix ? 

Notflix is a totally improvised comedy musical based on an audience suggestion of the last movie they watched.  All scenes, songs and vocals are improvised spontaneously by the all female cast and a live band.  At the same time, we try to include the iconic moments, characters and lines the audience want to see and hear.   Every show is different; but what remains the same is our joy-filled, uncynical, raucous style.

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

Our director, Sarah Spencer, had one of those real light bulb moments!

However, Sarah did relentlessly google it just to make sure it wasn’t already taken.  It did seem a bit too good to be true. The name is like us, a wee bit cheeky and it takes the films you know and love (or hate!) and gives them a bit of a twist.

Tell us all about your show!

At the beginning of the show, we pick two written suggestions out of the “bucket of destiny” – so quieter audience members are in with a chance too!  As soon as the audience vote on which film they want to see turned into an hour long musical, the band starts playing, the opening number begins and we never leave the stage.  When it comes to form, we do a Notflix version of a musicalised Harold. We’re all about big, bold characters and relationships, pop culture references and a female fuelled punk attitude.  Even in the craziest of settings, we always want the audience to care about the characters and believe in the relationships.  As much as we love to make you laugh we also love those “Aww” moments too. 

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

Playing Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean when I was 6 months pregnant.  Mission Impossible because the band and lighting technician had so much fun with it and we got in classic moments like dodging lasers, moving through air vents, Tom Cruise’s running style etc. “The Incredibles 2” when we had a whole backline of Baby Jack Jacks. “A Quiet Place” because of a crazy operatic birth scene and the backline being killed off one by one mid song.

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

I’m so bad at remembering any of the specific lines from shows. But for some reason these two lines in our musical version of Jurassic Park have always stayed with me – “F**k the dinosaurs! – “You should never f**k the dinosaurs.”

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

As a new mum, seeing live shows has been a bit tricky recently, but I’m excited to see Katie Pritchard’s show, Disco Ball, at the Fringe this year. Her high energy shows are usually packed with mayhem, joy, banging songs and the silliest of costumes and props. Fellow Notflixer, Holly, recently saw the Glenda J Collective and really enjoyed seeing an all female collective at the top of their game.

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

Try and see as much as you can at the beginning of your time there.  Don’t leave everything until later as word gets round and popular shows sell out, you are exhausted and other things crop up.  If you are performing for the whole run, try to do something, at least once a week, that has nothing to do with the Fringe.  For example, climb up Arthur’s seat, read a book in the meadows, ring a friend or family member.  It lets you recharge, refresh and appreciate the fringe experience as much as possible.  Have some free fudge.  Take a chance on a show you randomly get flyered for. 

The best thing about performing at the fringe?

 I feel like I’m at my sharpest, fittest and most energised.  The camaraderie of our wee girl gang.  Edinburgh is a beautiful city.  It feels like home after all these years. You never know how the day is going to end.  You are in a city full of amazing creative people.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

It’s a marathon taking place in a very intense (and often rainy) bubble. 

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

Your own pillow, headphones, a raincoat

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Find a succinct way to describe your show.  People want to understand, quickly and easily, what you are offering them.  

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Maybe a TV exec from Netflix who fancied commissioning Notflix?

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

We’re on instagram @notflixmusical, twitter and have a website www.notflixthemusical.com 

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

Movies without Weinstein