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!

Public – The Musical

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two (Venue 33)

Dates: Aug 2nd-8th, 10th-20th, 22nd-28th

Time: 18:30

Price: £15 Concessions £13.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/public-the-musical

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

We are Stroud & Notes, a queer-led, new musical theatre collective, made up of theatre makers: Kyla Stroud (they/she), Hannah Sands (they/them), Natalie Stroud (she/her) and Olivia Zacharia (she/her).

We are excited to stage original stories which celebrate the joy and messiness of being a human being; creating our work with great music that you just can’t get out of your head…

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

Kyla, the show’s composer, was wanting to branch out from their career as a live-music/gig, singer-songwriter, and decided that they wanted to write a musical that had a straightforward, entertaining premise, which could bring together four very different characters, in a unique way. Being part of the queer community, Kyla also felt passionate about conversations around gender and identity. The name “Public” not only nods to the show’s setting (a gender-neutral public bathroom) but also alludes to the challenges and joys we experience whenever we are out in the world, with strangers. The show looks at what defences go up; what roles we instinctively perform; and what may happen if we open up and allow others to see our true selves…

Tell us all about your show!

“Public – The Musical” is a comedy, pop-rock musical. Told in real time, the show looks at how four people with different personalities and backgrounds, navigate the anxiety-inducing situation of getting trapped together in a gender-neutral public bathroom, for an hour. Through a witty script, catchy bops and heartfelt ballads, the show candidly explores gender identity, the clogged world of toxic masculinity, class, social activism, allyship and mental health. It is a highly entertaining, accessible show which can teach us all a thing or two about how we choose to behave in society, and treat each other.

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

Two of our cast members are also gracing Pleasance Courtyard stages in other Fringe shows. Annabel Marlow is putting on a solo musical-comedy piece (“Annabel Marlow… is this okay??”) and Andrew Patrick Walker is starring in “Truly, Madly, Baldly”, a comedic two hander that focuses on two individuals who suffer from Alopecia.  

Queer theatre: November theatre are bringing a new devised show called “Pitch” – all about football and the queer community to Pleasance Above. We are also stoked to catch “Healing King Herod’ at Underbelly, a drag-clown show which went down a storm at this year’s Vault Festival.

Musicals to catch: we cannot wait to catch our top picks from last year – “Bloody Elle – a gig musical” at the Tarverse, and “Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder” at the Underbelly.

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. 

As a company, this is our very first-time taking work to the Fringe! However, some of us have worked up at the festival before, or have enjoyed being punters. Key advice would include: try and see as much as you can – the wealth of talent that takes over the city is astonishing!  However, also know that it is more than okay to take a day out from the theatre madness to rest and unwind – enjoy some tasty foody, explore other parts in and around Edinburgh, don’t feel guilty if you chose to have a night in with Netflix!

Best thing about performing at the Fringe?

Being a working part of this astonishing Theatre-Disneyland. You have no idea what is in-store, each day; and who is going to jump on for the ride and see your show! 

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

A can of Monster, Portable Phone Charger and as many Venue Artist Passes you can get your hands on…

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Know that nobody finds it easy. Don’t take it personally when someone passes up on your flyer. Throw in some jokes and antics so that people give you a second look, but from there, all you can do is share your enthusiasm for the show, people and performing. People are just people are just people!

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

We know we’d have a hoot with Freddie Mercury, Virginia Woolf and Mae Martin bopping away in our audience.   

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

Instagram: @public_musical @stroudandnotes

Twitter: @PUBLIC_MUSICAL @stroudandnotes

TikTok: @public_themusical 

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

Witty. Poignant. Absolute-tunnnnneesssss!