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!

Robin Tran: Don’t Look at Me

Location:   Assembly George Square – The Box (Venue 8)

Dates: Aug 2nd-14th, 16th-27th

Time: 18:25

Price: £11.50 Concessions £10.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/robin-tran-don-t-look-at-me

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

My name is Robin Tran and I am an Asian transgender lesbian comedian, one who loves art of roasting and dark humor, while sprinkling in some surprising vulnerability. I am a contrarian at heart and get a thrill from constantly subverting expectations, always trying to figure out new ways to surprise people.

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

The name of the show is actually a line in a very dark joke of mine about watching porn. I don’t want to spoil the context of it, but it usually gets a laugh/groan from the audience. When I realized later on that the phrase “don’t look at me” would also stand on its own, I thought it clicked perfectly. I have a “don’t bother me and I won’t bother you” attitude in both life and in my stand-up and as much as I love doing stand-up, I don’t like being perceived outside of the stage. It can also be used in the context of “don’t look at me to be your hero.” Please come see me but do NOT “perceive” me!

Tell us all about your show! 

My show is a mix of autobiographical outlooks on gender, race, and sexuality. I try to tackle the darkest topics in the most plainspoken language possible. I also offer deep analysis into poverty, pornography, and Vietnam War movies, all while playfully roasting America. The show is a bit of a rollercoaster that feels like it can go off the rails at any point but never does. It always veers into a surprising destination that results in laughter. Especially the parts about porn and Vietnam War movies, a hilarious time I tell you!

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

My friend Ron Placone is bringing his political comedy show to Edinburgh and I’m excited for him to bring his unique look at American politics into another country! I also know that UK Drag Race winner Danny Beard is doing a show and I enjoy showing up to a show starring a drag queen because people think I’m a drag queen at first and it makes for hilarious interactions.

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 told to fly in a week early to deal with the jetlag. Honestly, I am a very good performer but I have a lot of annoying logistical needs. I need to be fed well, I need alone time, and I need enough sleep, so my fiancé got us a flat for a month so that I could have time to myself and some peace and quiet because I can turn into a brat if I feel crowded or overwhelmed. I like being in front of a crowd more than anything, but being among a crowd is terrifying!

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

My go-to one-liner has been “I don’t know what you think I have underneath my dress, but I’ll tell you what I DON’T have, is a hundred thousand dollars.” It’s a clever misdirection AND a lowkey commentary on CLASSISM (an underrated facet to the joke!) Recently I’ve been doing a new joke that I don’t know yet will translate outside of America, which is a bit I have about drag shows, and I say, “You know what would be a good name for a conservative drag queen? Tucker Carlson.” Real highbrow stuff right?

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

I partook in a show called the Monologists. It was an improv show at a place called UCB, where I gave a monologue based on audience suggestions (all improvised) which was followed by an improv group doing a half hour scene based off the monologue I gave. I also partook in a fake political game show where questions about American politics would be asked, but the entire format of the show was chaotic and the points system was completely arbitrary to capture the essence of American politics.

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

Wake up, have coffee and breakfast, do a little bit of housework and a light workout, go over my comedy set again, listen back to last night’s set, and then lie down and close my eyes for an hour trying to rest and meditate and calm my nerves. During this time I start thinking about things like “Oh my god I’m a COMEDIAN?! Life is SO WEIRD.” And then I usually take a panic nap and wake up refreshed. All of these activities always feel like it’ll take so much longer, so I’m gonna do a lot of sightseeing and get some fresh air. Everything that I do is to get mentally prepared for my set so the audience can get the best show possible. 

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

I hear that there’s an amazing show at the fringe called Robin Tran “Don’t Look at Me,” I’ve heard so many good things about it. It’s performed by my favourite comedian. She’s Asian, trans, AND funny! What a world we live in these days.

Best thing about performing at the fringe? 

I get to do my best hour of material all month long for the biggest comedy festival in the world, and I honestly cannot wait. Everything I’ve been doing for the past few weeks has been to both mentally and physically prepare for my shows. My show is basically bulletproof at this point and has been getting some of my best reactions in the 11 years I’ve been doing stand-up. But personally, I am proudest of my individual accomplishments for what I’ve done to ensure I have the stamina to perform at a high level. I’ve cut out all sugars, most salts, most red meats, and am working out as much as I can. All it took was the biggest comedy festival in the world for me to finally bounce back from this “pandemic lockdown” body I developed from 2020-2022.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe? 

I think the most challenging part is the sheer stamina it takes to do an hour show every day. I have been working on my mental/physical health as well as my stamina and am getting into the best shape of my life so that every person who buys a ticket will get a quality show. I know that my show and my jokes are really good, but the real trick is staying in a good healthy headspace to perform the best of my abilities. I am also hopelessly co-dependent and will miss my fiancé the first week I’m there without them, so that part will be hard, even though that isn’t “cool” to say!

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

A sense of humour, a fiancé who can support you financially, and a flat that your fiancé got for a month so that people can’t see you being a hungry brat who needs alone time

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

A good flyering team! I’ve yet to experience it myself but my game plan is to just be as funny as I can all the time without burning any of my material. Which means to just be charming 24/7, which I succeed (and fail) to varying degrees.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member? 

I love it when an audience member has a dark sense of humour while also having a heart of gold. The “heart of gold” is actually an important quality to me because it lets me know I haven’t strayed away from having a soul, something that I’m always a little worried about when I do very dark humour.

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

I am very active on social media, especially twitter and Instagram where my handle is @RobinTran04. I also have quite the following on TikTok at @robintrancomedian. 

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

Shitty trans woman!