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!

Charlie Vero-Martin: Picnic

Location:   Underbelly, Cowgate – Dehli Belly (Venue 61)

Dates: Aug 3rd – 13th, 15th-27th

Time: 18:55

Price: £11 Concessions £10

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/charlie-vero-martin-picnic

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hiya! I’m Charlie Vero-Martin and I’m a character comedian, actor, writer, improviser and puppeteer from Edinburgh.

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

It all started when I went a bit mad during lockdown and made a puppet out of a picnic basket called Mr Basketcase. I started gigging with him and it became very clear that he was going to be an important part of my new show.

Tell us all about your show!

It’s a one-woman character comedy sketch show with puppets, stand-up and (always consensual!) audience participation. It’s a bright, fun, joyful show with surreal moments and a few dark twists. 

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

I love seeing all my fellow ACMS and Weirdos Comedy shows. I really want to see Laura Davis as I’ve never seen her do a full hour and her title “Well don’t just stand there dancing” makes me giggle. And also Laura Ramoso, another character comedian who does lots of great stuff on TikTok. 

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 have taken three solo shows and four improv shows (all pre-pandemic) and my best advice is to take care of yourself. You can’t do a good show if you are mentally and physically exhausted. It’s very easy to forget this and I often do because sadly flyering is a necessary evil that can suck the life out of you. So try as much as you can to find a balance. 

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

As a lot of my stuff is in character most of it sounds really weird out of context! But I do enjoy this line in my current show:

“And you know what they say about oysters, right? They make terrible pets.”

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

There were lots of great shows at Leicester Comedy Festival this year. Adam Larter: Cricket Noises was such a charming show that has all the fun and cardboard props you’d expect from him as well as live painting! Benjamin Alborough’s Terry Wogan Screams was also very weird and silly and full of audience participation. 

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

This year I have taken on a big challenge as I’m doing a 2-hander play called Super as well as my 1-woman show. Super is on at the Pleasance Courtyard at 12.45 so I’ll start my day dressed as Catwoman for that! I’ll then flyer for my show, go home get some lunch (hopefully nap) then back out to flyer just before my show, Picnic, at 18:55 in Underbelly Cowgate. After that, flyer for Super, maybe catch a show then bed! I’m trying to be good this year and not drink or stay out late but it’s soooo tempting when there’s so much on! I’ll hopefully pop-up in a few late night bills like ACMS. 

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

Enjoy your show. It’s the only thing you have any control over so if you’re not having fun doing your show, change it. It’s also good to do some things that aren’t Fringe related. In 2018 my friend Paul Foxcroft and I went to go see Meg in the cinema, which was surprisingly therapeutic! 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Getting to live like you wish life could be all the time: performing every day, meeting interesting people and seeing lots of exciting new theatre. 

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

The mental and physical exhaustion. Performing, flyering, carrying props etc every single day for a month is a lot. Add to that if your show isn’t selling well or getting reviewed and it feels like everyone else’s show is, it can be very hard. That’s why I think it’s important to be honest about it so people don’t feel like they’re the only ones having a nervous breakdown.

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

A lightweight/roll-up anorak. A big scarf that can double as a blanket. Throat sweets (they always sell-out the first week in Edinburgh and no matter how much you warm-up your voice, it’s hard to protect it during the fringe!)

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Be yourself and don’t get beaten down. I’ve seen people take it really personally when they get rejected and you just can’t be like that. A handful of proper conversations with people about your show will be more meaningful than if spend hours shouting and doing gimmicks. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Cookie Monster. I’ve always wanted to meet him. 

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

Twitter/Insta: @CharlieVMartin

Tiktok: @CharlieVeroMartin

Facebook: @CharlieVeroMartinComedy

www.charlieveromartin.com

https://linktr.ee/CharlieVeroMartin

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

It’s really fun.