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!

Ali Brice: I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren’t Looking

Location:  PBHs Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Chamber Room (Venue 156 )

Dates: Aug 6th-28th

Time: 16:50

Price: Free

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ali-brice-i-tried-to-be-funny-but-you-weren-t-looking

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi, my name is Ali Brice. I was one the heaviest baby in the world as the nurse that weighed me forgot to put a decimal point. So for a short time I officially weighed 77 pounds.

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

If a tree falls in the wood and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise? There’s no way of knowing!

Likewise, if a comedian performs at the Fringe and you don’t see it, were they funny? The answer is mostly, “Yes. Yes, they were.” Especially if you’re talking about Ali Brice.

I have tried to be funny at the Edinburgh Fringe for over a decade. Yet still not EVERYONE has seen me. Where have they been looking? This year I hope the answer is my show.

Tell us all about your show!

For a few years I have been trying combine talking about very serious things in a very silly way. This year I perfected the balance.

My show is about my mental health and a celebration of therapy. I talk the moment in my life in 2018 where I knew I needed therapy. Without any spoilers, had that moment gone differently I wouldn’t be here to talk about it. 

I like to think that if I had seen this show in 2018, my life would have been very different and I would have made better choices. If I can reach one person this year and the show helps them feel differently, then that will be enough for me.

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

Hilary Napelton, Joz Norris, Christian Brighty, Ian Skippington, Eleanor Morton, Sooz Kempner, JJ Soup-a-Nova and, of course, everyone’s favourite horse double-act, Rabbit or Chaplin.

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.

This will be my eleventh fringe. My advice would be just have fun. If you’re doing a show, enjoy doing the show and don’t worry. Everything else that may come is a bonus!

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

Dr Brown’s Befrdfgth This show was absolutely incredible. When you go from being a big comedy fan to performing comedy, you begin to really understand how it all works and start noticing the mechanics and technical aspects of how everything works. This show was like watching comedy for the first time again. It was so new to me and introduced me to clowning and another way of doing comedy. I loved it.

Oyster Eyes This was a sketch group that has shows in 2010, 2011 and maybe 2012. Consisting of Natasia and Jamie Demetriou, Phil Dunning and Phoebe Walsh – who have all gone on to great success in the world of comedy – and a lovey man called Liam who has since become a teacher. Oyster Eyes were so weird and so strange and so hilarious. Their 2010 show is one of my favourites.

Adam Larter’s Can You Put a Tail On It? I can’t remember if this was 2014 or 2015, but it was an absolutely mad show in which Adam Larter asked the question, ‘Can you put a tail on it?’. The answer most of the time was, ‘Yes’. He had a bag of what seemed like a thousand props and a pile of fake tails. As an example of what would happen: Adam would hold up a tin of beans and ask the question. Then he would stick a tail to it. Then he’d do that with a different item, over and over again. It might not sound great, but it was brilliant. The audience were in stitches. Not sure what happened to him, but wherever he is I imagine he is putting a tail on something.

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

My dad always said, “You only get out what you put in.” Lovely sentiment, but it did lead to the collapse of his vending machine business.

It’s the only one-liner I have ever written.

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

Consignia at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Go see them at the Banshee Labyrinth this year to understand what I mean,

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

Have fun and don’t be a prick.

The best thing about performing at the fringe?

It is literally my dream come true. I love it.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

The cost. This will probably be my last fringe. It is just big business now – and not for the artists.

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

A warm jumper.

A waterproof coat.

An egg.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Be sincere and don’t be a prick. The people you giving flyers too are people and have a life beyond coming to see your show. Just be nice.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

David Chapple.

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

I am @TwiceBriceBrice everywhere.

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

Heartfelt. Hilarious. Hopeful.