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!

Lachlan Werner – Voices Of Evil

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33)

Dates: Aug 2nd-14th, 16th-22nd, 24th – 27th

Time: 22:30

Price: £13 Concessions £12

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lachlan-werner-voices-of-evil

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello! My name is Lachlan and I am a ventriloquist, clown and really good human sacrifice for a demonic ritual. Because I was very shy and queer and dyspraxic and bad at making friends as a child I learned how to talk through a witch puppet and I still do that now (and mostly people laugh, making it ‘viable’).

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

It took a while to name, and some of the early options were awful – I almost called it ‘The Lachy Horror Puppet Show’, as well as just ‘Magic Night’ (which is what my witch puppet would call it). Because it is a ventriloquist horror show (absurdly niche) it needed a name that made that clear, but also could say something about the shows’ actual theme (finding your ‘voice’).

Tell us all about your show!

The show is a horror ritual. Loosely inspired by Victorian Seance nights/spiritualists and ‘The Exorcist’. It’s also a journey of queer coming-of-age and stepping into sexual power. It is also, however, a silly, cartoony ventriloquial/physical comedy where one poof does all the demonic voices and a little squishy witch puppet sacrifices her best friend. It includes lots of voice throwing, illusions, puppetry, scares, songs and sexy sexy underwear.

I’ve been working on it for over a year, and am honestly extremely proud of it. I have so much fun going on this dark and stupid ride, and I’m so happy that people have responded so well and the show has developed a phenomenal queer following. I can’t wait to bring genuine witchcraft and minimal lip movement to Edinburgh for the month.

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

Julia Masli, Frankie Thompson & Liv Ello, TROLL, Abby Vicky-Russell, Lorna Rose Treen, Spencer Jones, Rob Duncan, Riss Obolensky (could honestly go on and on, so many icons this year)

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 year is my fringe debut (first time doing a solo hour), but I came for a week last year with Movements In Motion (a collaboration with Laurie Luxe and Paulina Lenoir), and did some lovely gigs too – one with Nina Conti, who is obviously a big hero. I think last year highlighted some of the glaring problems with the fringe. My main advice is just; Community is everything. Artist friends are everything. Don’t forget warm jumpers. Do things completely outside the fringe – read good books and look at swans and eat ice-cream.

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

Although there aren’t many ‘written jokes’ in the show, a favourite visual running gag for me is Brew the Witch trying to move her completely lifeless puppet limbs. Mainly when she tries to grab a prop from my hand for about 2 minutes, swinging a totally limp arm at it. That Muppet humour is where it’s at.

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

I loved ‘It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure’ by Flawbored. They are razor sharp in every way. I am a die-hard fan of Jeremy Segway by The Duncan Brothers and Frankie Thompson’s Catts.

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe

It’s going to be a lot of vocal TLC for me this year, so eating honey and steaming. Probably then catching shows and hard clapping to over-compensate for lack of cheering. I’m hoping for quiet coffees all round with good friends. At about 9.30pm I’ll get into choir-boy outfit and paint my face white, get my witch out of a bag and dust her off a bit, set up all my scary props, do the show at 10.30. Afterwards, wash the blood off my face and costume, then go home and eat soup or potatoes. Sleep. Do it again.

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

The Blundabus is the best place at the fringe. Whether going to see shows or catching up with the best and wildest clowns from around the world, it’s the best spot. See whatever shows you want to see and goof off with friends. Look after your body. Relax. Live laugh love. Dance like no-one is watching, sing like no-one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt. Hold me closer, tiny dancer.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Not just doing a show everyday, but seeing that show grow and develop over a whole month. I’ve loved every run of ‘Voices Of Evil’ so far, but every time we end after a 3 day run tops, and I immediately want to keep going. Having the real, noisy audiences there who keep coming back is joyful and stupid and alchemic.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Focusing on your own work, celebrating the wins, not playing to the institutes (awards, blah blah) and having fun doing it on your terms. Staying around people who inspire stupid optimism and doing it for an audience you care about.

Basics become essential – eating, sleeping, early nights, all the boring things.

This show in particular is pretty immense in terms of stamina, so my big challenge is balancing rest time with throwing my voice loudly enough.

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

Pocket money for ice-cream/coffee, comfort blanket (or doll, or witch puppet), ‘Voices Of Evil’ tech, Charlie Miller (he is on my rider forever now).

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Be eye-catching and charming, but be normal. Don’t attract weirdos who won’t buy tickets. I used to flyer with my witch, but ended up becoming a free walkabout therapist because so many people seem comfy making their darkest confessions to a puppet. Don’t do that.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

I have a long list of dead authors who I’d love to see my work, but since they can’t come, I’ll say Stephen King. He has a good sense of humour and I guess he’d be able to tell me how scary the show really is.

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

I’m @lachywerner on Instagram (which I use mostly), @LachyWerner on twitter and @lachywerner3 on TikTok

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

Twink sex witchcraft