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!

Släpstick: Schërzo

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Beyond (Venue 33)

Dates: Aug 2nd-7th, 9th-21st, 23rd-28th

Time: 15:10

Price: £16 Concessions £14.50

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

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

We are Släpstick, 5 conservatoire schooled musician/comedians from the Netherlands!

How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the Fringe?

Scherzo is a term used in classical music meaning, “humorous” or “jokingly”. Since our show is all about poking fun at the stuffiness that is classical music, the title Schërzo couldn’t be more appropriate! 

Tell us all about your show!

Schërzo is an hour of daft jokes, physical humour, and impeccable musicianship- all the while poking fun at the elitist world of classical music with a ‘nothing is holy’ attitude. Whether it’s tap dancing on speed skates, bowing a violin with a ponytail, or yodelling Schubert lieder- an excellent level of musical integrity is at the heart of everything we do. This delivers a certain ‘wow’ factor that underscores all the belly laughs and slapstick moments. 

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

To be honest the spectrum of shows is a bit overwhelming! But we’re hoping to hear some great music, catch some incredible circus performances, and mostly follow the advice and show-tips of the bar staff in Pleasance Courtyard!

Have you done the Fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or wouldgive to new groups or people performing at the Fringe. 

Yes, we had a wildly successful run in 2017! The best tip we got was to be kind and generous with the tech staff at your venue- bring gifts (beer and chocolate always works…). The best advice we would give to new groups would be to throw yourselves into the fray with all of your might! Go to the artists bars and cause a furore! Go to every single show you can! Talk to ALL the staff, not just the artists and bookers. The ticket rippers, cafe servers, and ushers are your best allies out there!

What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

Our unanimous favourite show in 2017 was Trygve Wackenshaw and Barnie Duncan’s “A Different Party”. Utterly brilliant clowning, extremely physical, seamlessly put together and a non-stop belly laugh riot. Watch it online if you can!

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

That’s a tricky one, because our shows are entirely free of (comprehensible) text. I suppose our shows are full of musical “one liners”, of which my favourite from a previous show would have to be singing Schubert’s ‘Ërlkoning’, (a deathly serious lieder where a King laments his dying son), while jumping and prancing on a trampoline. 

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

As we’re based in the Netherlands, our comedy circuit might be a bit unknown for your readers! We loved the new shows of our Dutch comedy colleagues The Ashton Brothers, and Percossa this year. Both groups are worth a lengthy YouTube session (or a trip to Amsterdam). 

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

The best way to enjoy yourself, at least as an artist, is to really put your whole self out there. Don’t be shy or hold back while flyering. Don’t be afraid to cause a scene- the whole city is a scene! Also make sure to see a varied range of shows- if you spend a whole month only watching stand up, you might go crazy. Go hear some bluegrass, watch a circus, take in a one-man historical drama, or get your nipples stapled in a burlesque house (seriously, we saw it happen!).

Best thing about performing at the Fringe?

The best thing about performing at the Fringe is that feeling of “pressure makes diamonds”.  Because every booker and cheater director and world-class comedian on the planet is walking around, you have to be sharp, night in and night out. No off moments allowed. If you can relish that type of environment and thrive under pressure, there’s no elation like what you feel when walking off a packed-house stage with a standing ovation at the Fringe. 

The most challenging thing about performing at the Fringe?

The most challenging thing is keeping up the drive and energy 7 days a week, for a whole month. It’s as gruelling as it is fun: flyering in the rainy streets every morning, building up an audience from scratch, sharing a dirty flat with 13 people, etc. It can be a slog.

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

An umbrella, a reliable stapler (if you know, you know), and a packet of blister bandages. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

The secret to good flyering is finding a balance between attracting attention, but not pissing people off. The crowds are out there to learn about shows, but don’t want to be harassed. Find something that will draw them to you, not vice versa. Being Dutch, it’s our caravan of bicycles. Being musicians, it’s playing our instruments (while riding the aforementioned bicycles).

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Good old Johann Sebastian Bach would be in the front row, scowling at all the parallel fifths and modern intonations, while Mozart would be sat a few rows behind him adjusting his wig, texting, and taking selfies the whole time.

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

Absolutely, please and thank you! @Slapstick_nl on all platforms!

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

Beethoven meets Chaplin!