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!

Ay Up, Hitler!

Location:   theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Fleming Theatre (Venue 53)

Dates: Aug 2nd-12th, 14th – 26th

Time: 22:15

Price: £12 Concessions £10

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ay-up-hitler

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

We are Gamma Ray Theatre, a Hampshire based company dedicated to the production of new writing and championing local talent. We are Hannah-Cait Harrison and David McCulloch, we met in 2017 at a writing competition and came up with the idea of starting a theatre company solely dedicated to new writing. The company was put on the back burner somewhat, as we ended up dating, moving in together, and getting engaged all whilst getting the company off the ground.

Hannah-Cait:  I arrived at this event at 11am, saw David with a pint in his hand already and I knew that was the man for me. My first words to him were “oooo where’s the bar?”

David: I’m David McCulloch. As well as being a Producer on this show I am also the writer behind it.

Hannah-Cait: And I’m Hannah-Cait Harrison. As well as Producing alongside David, I’m also costume queen.

David: We’re also teching the show and acting in it too…because obviously we felt we needed more to do, then the million and one things we have to do already! Luckily we’re performing alongside an amazing cast of actors, who make things a lot easier for us.

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

David: So in 2017 I was rehearsing a production of the John Godber play Bouncers, which is set in Yorkshire, and during a break in rehearsals we started talking about Hitler – as you do. Someone mentioned that Hitler had potentially visited the North of England at some point in his life. I asked “whereabouts?” and they said Liverpool. I responded with “That’s a shame, because if it had been Yorkshire, everyone would have greeted him by going ‘Ay Up, Hitler!’” – And from that, the show was born!

Tell us all about your show!

The untold “true” story of what happened at the end of WWII. After losing to the Allied Forces, Hitler and his cronies manage to escape Germany and go into hiding in the last place anyone would think to look… Yorkshire!

Swapping the Hugo Boss for flat caps and wellies, and adopting strong Northern accents, Adolf and the lads meet down the pub to plan their epic comeback: Operation Fourth Reich!

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

Hannah-Cait: Cowboys and Lesbians, by Spring Lamb, just the title alone made me want to go and see this show. Frankenstein by Berlin Open Theatre, because Frankenstein is my favourite horror and it’s on at the Space!

David: I’ve been dying to see Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story by Awkward Productions. I also came across mY lAst twO BrAin CeLLs on Tiktok, fell in love with their sketches and am now really excited to see them live.

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. 

Hannah-Cait: I’ve worked at the Fringe before, as a Box Office Manager, and seeing the inner workings of the venue has given me a unique insight of what it takes to get a show in front of audiences. My advice would be see as much as you can, network as much as you can, and drink as much as you can.

David: I’ve performed here once before, in a production of the Simon Stephens’ play Birdland. A hard hitting drama, featuring sex, drugs, and rock & roll… that we performed at 10.30am! I had fun doing it, but I would advise anyone else with a morning show… maybe don’t go SO heavy on the booze the night before as I miiiight have done.

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

Hannah–Cait: *cackles hysterically* “Christ Hitler, I…“

David: – NO!You can’t say that line, I don’t want it spoiled.

Hannah-Cait: But it’s my favourite line I’ve ever gotten to say, and it’s because of the reaction it gets from the audience.

David: I know, but people are just gonna have to wait and see ‘Ay Up, Hitler!’ to find out what the line is. And don’t worry, they’ll know it when they hear it!

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

Hannah-Cait: We haven’t really seen any comedy shows this year. We’re poor destitute actors who haven’t had a chance to go the theatre much this year..

David: We were lucky enough to be invited to a preview performance of Ortonesque by BlackBox Theatre Company. A new play, written & directed by our ‘Ay Up, Hitler!’ playwright Chris Hawley, that tells the story of prolific gay playwright Joe Orton. It was a really funny, insightful, and memorable show. I didn’t know much about Orton before, but I really learnt a lot from this show. It’s got a few performances over the summer, across the South of England, and is well worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of Joe Orton.

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

Hannah-Cait: Wake up late, eat some bacon. Drink more coffee than is advisable. See a few shows. Sing a few renditions of ‘Hitler’s only got one ball’ on The Mile. And then give people a show they are sure to never forget.

David:  What she said, but replace bacon with haggis, and coffee… with more Haggis.

Hannah-Cait: No you can’t. You got the shits last time, when you ate Haggis with every meal for 3 days straight.

David: That was 6 years ago, my body has recovered since then.

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

David: Haggis and deep fried Mars Bars, the epitome of Scottish cuisine.

Hannah-Cait: Don’t take yourself too seriously and make sure your fiancé doesn’t kill himself with haggis.

David:  And, you know, put on a good show and all that jazz.

Hannah-Cait: Oh yeah, that too.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Hannah-Cait:  Getting to have a month off “normal” work and larking about with your mates.

David: I don’t know, it seems a world away – even though it really isn’t – but I think nothing will beat the feeling of opening night, getting to have my script and my words performed at the biggest Arts Festival in the world.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Hannah-Cait: For me it will be my disability. I have degenerative disk disease in my spine and fibromyalgia, so for me it will be a lot about pacing myself and not going too hard too early.

David: For me it will be if I s*** myself on stage after eating too much haggis.

Hannah-Cait: Thanks for that David.

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

Hannah-Cait: Camera to capture sights, scenes, and memories.Painkillers. A good book.

David:  Noise cancelling headphones for those moments you just need to switch off for a moment… and for when the cast you’re sharing accommodation with start snoring. Comfy socks. A picture of our dog (or for other companies a picture of their own pet…unless they want a picture of our dog, she is very beautiful after all)

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Hannah-Cait: Being memorable. There are gonna be thousands of flyers, you’re gonna want to be the one thing that people look at, keep and remember.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

David: I’d be interested to see what some of our key political figures, both past and present, would make of this.

Hannah-Cait: Since I was 10 my Dad has been saying that he’s always dreamt of seeing me perform at the Fringe, so I’m excited that my parents are coming to opening night.

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

You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by searching @GammaRayTheatre, or on Tiktok (because that’s where all the cool young kids seem to be these days) by searching @gammaray_theatre

We also have a website – www.gammaraytheartre.com

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

Hannah-Cait:  Hilarious Hitler Pantomime.

David: I think the title – Ay Up, Hitler! – tells you all you need to know about why you should come see this show. There is truly nothing else like it.

Hannah-Cait: That’s more than three words.

David: Ay Up, Hitler!