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 Lewin: Cockatiel

Location:   Gilded Balloon Teviot – Turret (Venue 14)

Dates: Aug 2nd-14th, 16th – 28th

Time: 21:450

Price: £12.50 Concessions £11.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/charlie-lewin-cockatiel

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hey, I’m Charlie! I’m a Melbourne-based comedian, writer and Nicole Kidman body double (maybe). I’m known for my great legs and my uniquely theatrical, irreverent style of comedy. My work is camp and sincere, blending a background in theatre with elements of improv, sketch and musical comedy. I’ve been described as a “rising star of stand-up” who “commands the stage like a Broadway theatre” (The Music). In 2021, I made my solo debut at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with my show Cockatiel, for which I won the prize of Best Newcomer, and I’m so excited to make my UK debut with the show that started it all.

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

As my show is both a coming of age and a coming out in Australian high school, I felt like native birds were a nice metaphor for finding your flock. The cockatiel is a flamboyant bird with a signature yellow crest. They’re lovely and gentle, and not something you’d regularly see in a schoolyard – unlike bloody magpies which are everywhere, the terrors! I liked the image of a rosy-cheeked cockatiel in a sea of black and white magpies. To me it symbolised the feeling of being a queer kid growing up in heteronormative world.

Tell us all about your show!

From Catholic boy’s school all the way to Grindr, Cockatiel is a hilarious and heartfelt snapshot of the life of a queer kid from Melbourne trying to find his flock. Bending genre and gender, stand-up and song, Cockatiel is a whip-smart and relatable coming-of-age tale that will speak to every strange little drama kid trying to figure it all out. Camp, nostalgic and utterly hilarious, Cockatiel is the solo debut of a shining new Aussie talent.

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

I’m so excited to see comedians from the UK. The talent that comes to Melbourne each year for the comedy festival is mind-blowing. I very much love campy silly comedy, so I’m pumped to see Tatty McLeod, Leo Reich, Lawrence Chaney, Patti Harrison, Monet X Change and Megan Stalter.

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. 

Never done the Fringe before! The best advice I’ve been given is to treat the Fringe like an investment in your craft. The idea of doing a month of performing at the biggest arts festival in the world seems so exhilarating, scary, fulfilling and transformative. I can’t wait to be in the mix.

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

“My sister doesn’t like the ‘lesbian’ label – so let’s just say her sex life definitely passes the Bechdel test.” I’m very fond of this joke, partly because it’s cheeky and plays to the queer and feminist crowds, but mostly because I get to poke fun at my sister who is my absolute best friend (and a raging lesbian).

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

Hannah Camilleri’s Lolly Bag was such a genuine delight. A character comedy show, broken up into thoughtful and hilarious vignettes, was just the unexpected mixed bag of treats that I was craving. Hannah is a master at transforming into exquisitely relatable people from everyday life. She then squeezes them for genuinely hilarious insights and laughs. Run don’t walk to this show!

Also, you absolutely must see Lou Wall. Lou Wall Vs The Internet blew me away. Both for the manic music and multimedia that have come to be Lou’s specialty, but also for their incisive take on industry jealousy. Any artist who has ever felt like they’re not doing enough -or felt like everybody else is living a better life online – needs to see this show. A gamechanger.

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

It’s gonna be all new for me. I expect I’ll be sleeping in late, trying (and failing) to write in my journal (a comedian with ADHD? how novel!) and then exploring Edinburgh and seeing as much weird and wonderful shows throughout the day as I can. 

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

I’d love to try Scottish McDonald’s. I hear they have little kilts on the happy meals.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Making new performer friends! I can’t wait to meet my fellow neurotics.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Well I’m not gonna say it’s cheap. But luckily, as a comedian and cabaret artiste, I’m rolling in disposable income. 

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

Polaroid camera. Vitamin C. Vocal steamer. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

I’m guessing being really relentless and obnoxious is the key. Just tackle those pedestrians like it’s rugby league. (I’ve never flyered before).

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Tim Minchin. Missy Higgins (my future wife).

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

You can find me on Insta, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok all at the same handle: @charlewincomedy

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

It’s f**kin’ funny!