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!

Mythos: Ragnarok

Location:   Assembly Roxy – Central (Venue 139)

Dates: Aug 2nd-27th

Time: 21:20

Price: £14.50 Concessions £13.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mythos-ragnarok

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I’m Ed Gamester: writer, producer, director and protagonist of the only theatre show in the world to use full contact fight scenes.

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

My show is about the rise and fall of the Nordic Gods, hence the name Ragnarok. It’s the first in a series of shows about mythology, all of which will be named Mythos.

Tell us all about your show!

My show is a adaptation of ancient Nordic myths into a new story, punctuated with fight scenes that are unlike anything done in theatre before. My cast are all trained as professional wrestlers, so can perform stage combat that far exceeds anything people are used to seeing in theatre.

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

To be honest, I never have time to see any other acts. I’ve performed 46 times at Fringe festivals in the last nine months and I’ve only manged to see three other acts. 

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 done Edinburgh Fringe once before, so I’m hardly an expert. I’d recommend new people remember to pace themselves,  because long runs and late time slots start to wear you down after a while. I’d also recommend everyone work even harder than they’re expecting to: there are thousands of shows and it’s difficult to stand out in the crowd, so if you have any downtime whatsoever it’s worth wondering whether you could be doing more.

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

“Loki, give me head.” In our play Odin is very straight and Loki is famously pan-amorous, so when Odin misspeaks while asking Loki to pass him the severed head of Mimir, this one line tends to batter down the fourth wall.

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

The only comedy show I’ve seen this year was Card Ninja and I thoroughly recommend it. It’s hilarious, impressive and great high energy.

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

My mornings tend to be spent answering production emails and washing, drying and repairing costume from the night before. In the afternoon I spend around three or four hours flyering the show, then arrive at the venue about an hour before showtime to troubleshoot whatever issues have arisen during the day.

Our show involves a fairly major turnaround in a very short space of time, so I need to make sure all the cast are at the venue and in costume for the moment we’re allowed into the venue. They’re pretty good at sorting that out themselves, but there’s always something that needs sorting out at the last minute. About five minutes before showtime I’ll get into costume and attempt to warm up.

As soon as the show finishes I run out the front of the venue to meet the audience, take photos and get feedback about the show. It’s also a chance for me to sell merchandise, which is the only way a show the size of ours stands a chance of breaking even at Edinburgh Fringe. When the audience have all left, I have a couple of drinks to take the edge of the physical pain from the performance, then we travel home, eat, shower off the paint and blood, and get to bed around 3am.

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

Honestly, I’m the wrong person to ask. I work up to 20 hours a day; if I did anything less I couldn’t afford to take a show to Edinburgh: I’m there to work.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Watching a show go from being unheard-of to selling out. It proves you’re doing something right.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

The hardest thing is managing to get enough attention to sell tickets. There isn’t another show like ours in the whole world, yet even we struggle to stand out in a city of thousands of shows, so I can’t even imagine how challenging it is for shows with a less obvious differentiator. You can invest all the flyers, poster boards and advertising space money can buy and you’ll still need to walk an hour to even find your own adverts! 

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Give people a reason to approach you. If they’re interested in who you are and what you do, they are much more likely to come to your show than if you just hand it to them because they’re passing by. If and when people do talk to you, be forthcoming about your show: explain why you’re excited about it and why it’s important and special to you. Remember lots of people come to see Fringe shows to support the artists, as much as to be entertained.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Either someone with a detailed knowledge of all three elements of our show (theatre, wrestling and Nordic mythology) or someone with absolutely no knowledge of any of them. Those with a background in the subject matter will get all the little references and jokes; those who have no idea what’s going on will be amazed and entertained to see it all for the first time.

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

You can find me at @thustheguild on Instagram and you can follow the show at @mythos.theatre on Instagram and @mythostheatre on Twitter.

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

Muscles. Myths. Mayhem.