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!

Dominique Salerno: The Box Show

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 33)

Dates: Aug 2nd-15th, 17th – 27th

Time: 15:00

Price: £11.50 Concessions £10

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dominique-salerno-the-box-show

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I’m Dominique, an actor-writer-improviser from New York. My sister once called me a female version of Jack Black, which is to this day the greatest compliment I have ever received. 

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

I do the entire show inside of a small box, thus: The Box Show!  The box is roughly the size of a kitchen cupboard, and I transform that small space into completely new worlds every time the doors open.

Tell us all about your show!

The Box Show is a solo show where I perform 25 characters from inside a small box. These characters range from a drunk couple mid-fight to the entire Greek army inside the Trojan Horse. Yes- it’s as wacky as it sounds! Every time the doors open, we’re thrust into a new reality. It’s a fast-paced, adrenaline filled roller coaster ride with sketch characters and musical numbers. It’s like a shot glass of comedy: quick, potent, highly concentrated, and it gets the job done.

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

I’m excited to see Hello Kitty Must Die, a new dark comedy musical that focuses on smashing stereotypes! I also can’t wait to catch Cat Cohen’s shows and Six Chick Flicks from my fellow New York City comedians KK Apple and Kerry Ipema. 

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 the Edinburgh Fringe for a week as a highschooler with a play called “California Stories,” and I remember I wrote and delivered a monologue about body image and bikini trauma. Decades later, not much has changed in my life: I’m back at the Fringe and still traumatized by bikinis.This summer will be the first time I will be performing at the Fringe as a fully fledged adult and for a full run of a show, so it very much feels like my first time! I’m so excited to bring my solo show to this incredible festival, and I honestly have no idea what to expect. The festival has changed so much since I was last here for that brief show, and I’m excited to fully dive in and experience it! I expect it to be a wild ride!   

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

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” 

You really can’t outdo master Shakespeare when it comes to one liners.

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

I’m itching to get out there and see some wild and weird comedy shows at the Fringe this summer! Back in NYC I was lucky enough to catch Ellie Macpherson (Fringe 2022 performer) hosting her new show Screw, Marry, Slaughter, which is a historical take on the game F*ck, Marry, Kill. The show features both comedians and historians, and it’s structured as part game show, part PBS special, part naughty slumber party game. It was absolutely delightful for mega nerds like me and I haven’t seen anything quite like it before! After all, who would you screw, marry, or slaughter between Genghis Khan, Marcus Aurelius, and Gustavus Adolphus? 

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

I don’t quite know yet, but I would imagine it will involve a vigorous vocal and physical warm up, lots of hydration, coffee, and a prayer to the unseen gods for good fortune, strength, and endurance! 

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

I think meeting other creatives, seeing shows, and staying in the moment will probably be key to my enjoyment of the Fringe. From what I’ve heard, it’s easy to get discouraged, exhausted, and swept up in the desire to “make things happen.” As challenging as it may be, I’m going to try to “let things happen” and see what the universe brings me! (Can you tell I was raised buddhist by California hippies?) Hopefully the universe will bring me YOU to my show! 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Sharing my weird show with people is always wonderful for me, and I hope that will be the best part about the Fringe. I love connecting with people through The Box Show, because too often the world tells us “No.” I want to flip the idea of limitations on its head and play with what we can create from whatever confines the world keeps us in. Instead of asking “why?” we should do something, The Box Show irreverently asks “why not?” and I love sharing that theme with an audience. 

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Probably the endurance and stamina required to do a solo show every day and also hand out flyers to get people to come check it out! I think it’s going to require a lot of good sleep, coffee, and rolling with the punches! 

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

Any necessary medications, a water bottle, and a journal. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

No clue yet! Maybe a positive attitude and comfortable shoes? 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Lorne Michaels, probably. Or whoever is casting at SNL these days! 

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

IG: @thedominiquesalerno, @the_box_show. 

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

To laugh hard.