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!

Insomniac’s Fable

Location:   Summerhall – Cairns Lecture Theatre (Venue 26)

Dates: Aug 2nd-13th, 15th-20th, 22nd-27th

Time: 11:00

Price: £15 Concessions £13

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/insomniac-s-fable

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I’m Emma Lister, director of Insomniac’s Fable! I’m a retired ballet dancer who started working as a rehearsal director in contemporary circus about 9 years ago, just as I was wrapping up my dancing career. Insomniac’s Fable is the first full length work I made as a director, it was made in collaboration with my husband, juggler Sakari Männistö.

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

Sometimes names come really easily, really early on. This one didn’t lock in until the piece was almost finished. Sometimes you don’t know what a show is until you can see the whole thing, and then it can seem very different once you’ve performed it for an audience. I think our name still fits.

Tell us all about your show!

Juggling, dance, surrealist physical theatre. We were interested in a hint of a narrative: the pursuit of idealised love and what happens if your dream partner took over the narrative? There are some big visuals by Cornish artist Angela Annesley and dance choreography by Royal Ballet artist Ludovic Ondiviela.

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

From Start to Finnish always programme really interesting stuff from the Nordic regions, like a mini festival within a festival–they are supporting us this year, so perhaps I’m biased, but I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the shows they’ve brought. Also juggler Robin Boon Dale’s show, What Does Stuff Do?

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’ve been to Fringe twice before. I’d say: Go hang out in the The Meadows if it all gets too much!

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

We’re lucky because our show is at 11am–so it’s get up, breakfast, warm up a bit in our accommodation, get to the venue via some coffee (not too much though, you don’t want shaky hands for juggling), 15 min to get in, do the show, 15 min to get out…then relax and decide what’s for lunch!

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

There are few times in your theatre life when things will feel this hectic and intense (especially if you’re involved in the whole month). So just ride the wave and remember that September will feel nice and boring in comparison.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The sheer number of people who have access to your show. Doing multiple, consecutive dates can be great for a show to really settle, let the performers get really comfortable in it and then have room to play. You also cut down rehearsal time massively if you ever need to remount it–it’s so ‘in the body’ after performing it for a month.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

For physical shows the lack of warm up space can be difficult to adjust to. In a past year I had to teach a ballet class in a changing room with everyone holding onto counters and chairs…but it’s part of the deal, everyone knows what they’re in for with Fringe.

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

headphones

reusable coffee cup

supportive shoes for all the walking

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

You! The person reading this.

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

@agitcirk on Insta and Twitter

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

Over before lunch