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!

17 Minutes

Location:   Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wine Bar (Venue 14)

Dates: Aug 2nd-13th, 15th – 20th, 22nd – 28th

Time: 14:15

Price: £15 Concessions £14

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/17-minutes

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Ours is a production of The Barrow Group, an award-winning non-profit performing art center in New York City, led by Robert Yu Serrell (Executive Director), Seth Barrish, and Lee Brock (co-Artistic Directors).  We’ve teamed with Marshall Cordell to bring this critically acclaimed production of 17 Minutes to Edinburgh.  The creative team has a long, shared history.  Director Seth Barrish and actress Lee Brock and the playwright Scott Organ and actors have worked with each over many years.

How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the Fringe? 

The title is a reference to a specific amount of time in the life of a sheriff’s deputy charged with protecting a high school.

Tell us all about your show!

17 Minutes follows a community left in the wake of a tragedy, searching for someone to blame.  This critically acclaimed drama, which ran off-Broadway at The Barrow Group in 2020, takes an intimate look at how the unexpected consequences of gun violence reverberate through a community over time. Theaterscene wrote of the original production: “This play is one of those rare instances in which all elements—the writing, the casting, the performances, the direction, and the production design—fit together perfectly. The watchwords here seem to have been simplicity and directness.”

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

None of us have been to the festival so we are excited to take it all in! At the top of our list will be new plays by Arlene Hutton (Blood of the Lamb, B Street Theatre at The Assembly Rooms) and Brian Parks (Shortlist at Assembly George Square.)

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. 

We haven’t – so really we don’t have advice other than to look for housing early!

The most challenging thing about performing at the Fringe?

For our cast, all of whom have children, navigating a lengthy European trip.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who loves to be engaged by story and also doesn’t open loud candy wrappers during critical moments in the play.

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

https://www.instagram.com/17minutesplay/

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

Compassionate, human, drama