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!

Locusts

Location:   theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Theatre 1 (Venue 53)

Dates: Aug 14th-19th, 21st – 26th

Time: 19:35

Price: £12 Concessions £9

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

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

 I’m Ian Tucker-Bell, I’m a founder/actor/writer/director with Orange Works, a new writing company based in the Tonbridge area of Kent.  

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

 The name arose from the exploring of the subject before we wrote it.  Originally the play was going to be titled “Tell Me About Your Mother” which were the words said to me by a church leader after I came out to him in my late teens – they would then go on to try “pray the gay away”.  The name changed to “Locusts” when I recalled a bible passage the pastor used to encourage me to persist with the prayers/counselling to be made straight.  The passage read “I will restore to you the years the Locusts have eaten away”

Tell us all about your show!  

It’s a one-act play that explores the impact of gay conversion therapy within an evangelical church, and is based upon my own experiences when I was a teenager.  It tells the story of Stephen, who is contacted by Pete – the pastor of the church he went to back in the late 1980s.  Back then Peter prayed that Stephen would become straight, and believes it worked.  Now Pete wants the same for his daughter, and he wants Stephen to help.

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

Early Morning Theatre have a couple of shows on that I’m looking forward to seeing – our timeslots clashed last year so we weren’t able to.  Also Improbiotics featuring some amazing Kent based improvisers.

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 is our fifth fringe!  To anyone new I’d say – just enjoy it.  Listen to your audience, and go by the response you get from them rather than any mean spirited reviewers you might encounter.  And wear good waterproof and comfortable shoes as you’ll be on your feet A LOT!

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

There’s one in Locusts that makes me laugh, when discussing a particular theory of why men become gay (growing up with a dominant mother and quiet father) one character quips “If that were true, every man in Yorkshire would be gay” – as a Yorkshireman myself, that resonates!

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

 I’ve been laid low with Long Covid this last year or two so haven’t seen as much as I’d like to. Seen some awesome theatre, though – the production of “Guys and Dolls” at The Bridge Theatre (and I’m not a big cheesy musical fan by any stretch) is JOYOUS!

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

Well, slow start, get out to the venue, flyering, chatting to people, try to see/support other shows.  I have Long Covid so a big factor for me surviving the Fringe is building rest into my day and pacing, so I don’t see as much as I did pre-pandemic, but I try see what my friends/colleagues recommend.  I like to meet other artists for tea & cake and do what I can to encourage/support.  Finding healthy things to eat is often a challenge!!

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

Just relax – enjoy the people your with, make friends with new people, take it all as it comes, and don’t overthink anything.  

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

 I love having the audience so close, makes it so intimate and immediate – and the fact we can have a drink with the audience afterwards is lovely. 

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Keeping positive when things are tough.  If the audiences don’t turn up, or the reviewers aren’t kind, it can be a lonely and dispiriting place.  You have to keep positive, and keep going – network, smile, and chat to as many people as you can.  It ain’t easy sometimes. 

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

Clothes for every kind of weather, decent (waterproof) shoes, and your favourite mug so you can have a decent brew every day.

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

 Target people, be polite, chat, don’t worry if they’re not interested – and WEAR T-SHIRTS with your brand/show logo on it.  The amount of conversations we’ve had over the years because of the t-shirts is amazing, and they usually end up with someone taking a flyer and coming to see us.  BE NICE.  

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?  

Sir Ian McKellen!

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

 Twitter: @worksoforange Facebook:WorksofOrange

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

It still happens!