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!

Banana

Location:   ZOO Southside – Studio (Venue 82)

Dates: Aug 4th-13th, 15th-20th , 22nd-27th

Time: 14:15

Price: £12

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

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi! I’m Michael Galligan – a New York based performer focusing in on devised theater and clown. 

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

We tried to let everyone know exactly what it’s about. 

Tell us all about your show!

BANANA is a clown show about a Cavendish banana trapped in his cardboard shipping box and his sexy cousin the Gros Michel. Beneath the jokes, the show is about isolation, human connection, and vulnerability. We utilize banana history, burlesque, audience participation, clown, karaoke, stand-up, magic, and more to ask just how many tricks do we throw at the wall to avoid being real and ourselves?

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

Looking forward to seeing Bill’s 44th. Gary Starr. Blunderland. There’s also another banana-themed show called The Amazing Banana Brothers directed by Natalie Palamides, of whom I’m a big fan. 

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. 

Get absolutely shameless in approaching people to flyer them. Eat as cheaply as possible. Don’t let bad reviews get you down. See shows, and leave the city if you can!

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

“Spank me” (to an audience member)

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

Nikki Hartung’s “Love, Pierre”, which was at last year’s Fringe. Kate Owens “Cooking with Kate.” Clown Gym’s variety show “Clown Flex”. Clown pieces have a way of being surprising and disarming – I’ve become so hooked on the genre that I find it hard to laugh at a play that doesn’t break the fourth wall anymore. 

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

Realistic or fantasy? I hope to go for a run or the gym at least one single day this Fringe. My show’s in the early afternoon so flyer at 11 in the morning, eat something, get ready, do the show. Then either switch between seeing shows and drinking pints, or take the day to leave Edinburgh for a day trip. I didn’t do that last time, and am looking forward to righting that wrong. 

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

Be flexible, convincible, and impulsive.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Getting to be a part of the larger community of artists.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Getting that larger community of artists & non-artists to come to your show. 

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

Raincoat, water bottle, and a bumbag for flyers.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Don’t overthink it. Have a conversation. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Bailey (the show’s director) and I have a dream of doing a show for an audience entirely made of bananas. Never say never. 

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

@michael_galligan on Instagram and @bananagalligan on Twitter! 

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

“riotous, raucous, funny-as-hell” (PF23 Independent Review)