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!

Steph Aritone: Excelf-esteem

Location:   Laughing Horse @ Bar50 – Upstairs (Venue 151)

Dates: Aug 21st – 27th

Time: 12:15

Price: Pay What You Can

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steph-aritone-excelf-esteem

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I am a data analyst and standup comedian from London. Roast Battle UK second place 2023, & Finalist 2022As seen on NextUp Access festival 2023. The Comedy Wine List Podcast (downloaded 10,000 times). Host of South Kensington Comedy Club & BeComedy UK”Clearly confident and comfortable in her own skin” – Artefact Magazine

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

My love…NEED… of Excel spreadsheets and my therapist telling me I have low self-esteem – hence, Excelf-esteem

Tell us all about your show!

Do you want to excel at self-esteem?

Comedian, data analyst and “I love Excel spreadsheets” mug owner Steph Aritone brings her 45 minute stand-up comedy show to Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Join other data curious (nosy) people and hear jokes on spreadsheets and real-life trends in Steph’s life data live from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (food, booze, cigs, mental health score…and more… *wink wink wink)Will Steph break… the formula to achieving high exc(s)elf-esteem? The answer is #N/A.

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

Luisa Omielan: Bitter

Jamie Finn: No one’s talking about Jamie

Huge Davies: Who dunnit

Sikisa: Hear me out

Jamie Allerton’s one bout films

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. 

I did a split bill last year called ‘The Marriage Pact’

Take nights off socialising if you need to. Trust me you won’t be missing out on the same groundhog day drink in a comedian bar. Save your energy for the shows you want to watch and get inspired.

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

My favourite hobby is cycling. I’m sorry, menstrual cycling. I actually menstrual cycled to this gig today! I am bloody knackered. Sorry, bloody knickered……

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

Mrs Doubtfire the musical – I like that it stays in divorce, we need to be telling stories that aren’t Disney washed ‘happily ever afters’

Fringe shows? Haven’t seen many WIPs yet as they are gearing up but Jamie Allerton’s will be a great debut (I think) hour

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

This year it’ll be:

Get up, update all the data in my spreadsheet for yesterday (food, booze, cigs, mental health score… other things….) ready for the data to be shown later.

Get ready for my show at 12:15pm.

Perform my little heart out and meet ‘my people’ after the show – excel nerds

Let them show me their life spreadsheets… we all have them.

Go home, work on the show.

Watch some shows in the evening and catch up with the rest of the comedy circuit.

Sleep

Repeat

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

As well as all the shows that get you excited, plan flexibility, social time and rest into your schedule….

If you don’t have a schedule good luck to ya! Come see my show I’ll give you some tips.

You need them.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

An audience that wants to be there. Real comedy lovers of all ages, backgrounds and experiences laughing at my jokes… Hopefully.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Never knowing what the footfall will be on the day. Some days are quite quiet and you’ve just got to hope for the best.Also when it’s raining – although I find the bleakness of flyering in a downpour quite funny…. That’s showbiz, babyyy!

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

SLEEPING MASK.

Comforting perfume/ scent

Fluffy socks

so basically cozie stuff that will make that one night in you get feel like 3

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

In the absence of fancy dress this year (last year I wore a bridal veil, asking people why I’m still single) – a good opening question.

Not “are you free in 15 minutes?” or “Are you looking for a show?”, go more niche.

“You look like you appreciate a good excel spreadsheet, AM I WRONG?!” – now you’re in a conversation with them where you can nerd out if they say they do like them, and vehemently tell them they have been living a half life if they seem repulsed.

And if someone walks by with their dog, always flyer the dog. Never gets any audience in but it is cute and uplifting… Because the dog WILL sniff your leaflet and look vaguely interested.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

An excel nerd who ‘gets it’ and their partner who is horrified. I want their partner to see that there is representation in the comedy community for us control freaks. We’re not all just happy go lucky creatives that find their voice by stumbling on it, some of us need strategy and plans of action. And graphs.

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

Twitter: @ Stephiiito

Instagram: @ stephcomedywinelist

TikTok: @ thecomedywinelist

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

Nerding with spreadsheets