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!

Improv Cage Match

Location:  PBHs Free Fringe @ Subway – Main Room (Venue 56)

Dates: Aug 6th-14th, 16th-27th

Time: 20:45

Price: Free

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/improv-cage-match

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Hey I’m Martin and I’m a co-founder of the Glasgow Improv Theatre. I studied improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) theatre in Los Angeles and I started Glasgow Harold Night when I returned home. I started running Improv Cage Match at the Fringe a few years ago with my friend John. The house team for the show features Couch and other great guest improvisers from around the world!

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

The name comes from the steel cage that we enclose the improvisers in when they perform

Tell us all about your show!

Cage Match is a fun format that lets two improv teams “compete” against each other. In actuality it’s a really fun way to see a lot of different improvisers at the Fringe. I perform as part of the house team, so get to share the stage with an eclectic group every night. Previous teams have included Baby Wants Candy, the Free Association plus lots of local teams from the Glasgow and Edinburgh scenes.

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

BriTANicK, Chris Gethard, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kylie Brakeman, and Mary Beth Barone. Plus all my friends’ standup shows.

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 we’ve done a few now. My key piece of advice to newcomers is to make it as easy as possible on yourself! Any decision you can make which will make your life easier when trying to do a show every day – make that decision! Get someone to flyer for you, get a card reader, travel light – whatever it is that makes your life easier day to day – you will absolutely not regret doing that!

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

I did a show called Improv Drinkov where you had to drink while doing improv, I had a blast. At Cage Match I remember doing laps around the full venue and each time I returned to the stage I was doing a different sporting activity. I started jogging, then was swimming, then rowing, etc. I ran out of sports and the crowd started helping me.

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

In a scene someone declared the year as being 1994, then I started a scene on a park bench with a weary sigh and said “That’s Sheffield Wednesday went bust”. I remember getting a very long laugh break just with that line which if not entirely accurate, certainly FEELS like it was true.

What three items are essential for a successful Fringe?

Water bottle, comfortable trainers, headphones

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

I saw Maria Bamford this year and she was amazing.

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

Go see the shows you like, but don’t try and do too much in one day. You don’t need to see a show every hour.

The best thing about performing at the fringe?

Seeing Seeing a huge variety of world-class comedy, that you can rarely see as tour shows.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Signing so many autographs when being mobbed in the street and running out of pens

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

PENS, PENS, PENS

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Flyering is dead – just make yourself discoverable online and people will come (me manifesting my hope for this year)

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who was 13ft tall and whose laugh burst my eardrums

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

@_martinjames on Twitter @improvcagematch on Twitter and Instagram

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

Free Improv Comedy