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.

Improvabunga!

Location:  theSpace @ Niddry St – Lower Theatre (Venue 9)

Dates: Aug 5th-6th, 8th-13th, 15th-20th, 22nd-27th

Time: 19:05

Price: £10 Concession £8

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/improvabunga

Hello! Tell us about Improvbunga ? 

Where to start?! We’re the Watch This Improv Troupe and Improvabunga is an improvised movie adventure with live musical accompaniment, improvised songs and four audience buzzers to control the show!

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

We inherited it! Improvabunga has been going since 2013 – the cast is constantly changing over time but the formula is timeless…

Tell us all about your show!

It’s a fun-filled long-form improvised show for all the family based on your suggested film genres and location, and with four audience buzzers to let you control the performers! Being a long-form 50-minute improvised movie, we not only get the chance to have loads of laughs and silly gags but also to create genuine moments of joy on stage, with huge improvised musical numbers and characters the audience genuinely root for.

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

Last year we saw ‘Police Cops: Badass Be Thy Name’ which was a highlight so we can’t wait to see ‘Police Cops: The Musical’ this year. We also LOVED Legs Comedy last year so we hope to see them back up at the Fringe with something!

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. 

As we’re a student group with a rolling cast every year, some of us have been to Fringe before but for some it will be their first time! For newbies performing at Fringe we’d definitely recommend getting the Fringe app to help plan your month, remembering that some of the best shows are free, seeing new theatre, making time to go to the beach and swim in the sea, and to remember to look after yourself and take time to chill! Performing at Fringe is so fun but also so intense and can be very tiring so (even though it goes against our improv nature) sometimes it is necessary to say no to things!

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

As we said earlier, Police Cops have been fab in previous years and we loved seeing ‘Logs’ by Legs Comedy last year (and it was Free Fringe!). We also loved Say it Again Sorry’s ‘The Importance of Being…Earnest’ – our own Will Jackson even got to star it in! Improv wise we also had a fab time watching the Improverts, who do a really slick short-form show.

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

This one’s from Laura Walsh in one of our recent shows: ‘I do tools, I do ballet and I do my wife’. No context needed.

What three items are essential for a successful Fringe? 

We’d definitely recommend a disposable camera, a notebook and a wok if you can fit it in your bag (trust us, a wok goes a long way when you’re cooking for 11 people!)

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

As well as the shows we’ve already mentioned, we saw a fabulous WIP show at last year’s Fringe by Luke Rollason – a perfect mixture of stand-up and clowning so definitely one to look out for this year!

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

See as many shows as you can (but also remember you can’t see everything) but also save time for a hike up Arthur’s Seat and at least one swim in the sea. You will feel better for it!

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Edinburgh Fringe is one of if not the biggest hub of theatre and comedy in the UK and internationally and performing in it is an absolute privilege! Making a paying audience of strangers laugh at a show you’ve made up yourself is definitely a massive buzz.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Probably how tiring it is! Being the 75th anniversary of the Fringe, this year is bound to be a busy one with loads of shows and lots of flyering and promoting so it’ll be important to look after ourselves and chill out as well as making the most of it all.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

It will actually be all of our first times flyering at the Fringe this year! Though some of us were in the Troupe in 2020, the Fringe was sadly cancelled and last year’s Fringe was a covid-consious one so no one was flyering. So maybe we will have to come back to this question next year haha!

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Improvabunga is for everyone and it’s long-form format can amuse even those who don’t usually seek out improvised shows – that being said our dream audience member is someone who loves improv, loves movies, loves a song or two and is up for a laugh!

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

Our socials are @watchthisimprov on Instagram, The Watch This Improv Troupe on Facebook, @watchthisimprov on Twitter and @watchthisimprov on TikTok!

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

In three words? Movies, music and madness!