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!

Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance One (Venue 33)

Dates: Aug 5th-16th, 18th-20th, 22nd-26th

Time: 12:40

Price: £15

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mervyn-stutter-s-pick-of-the-fringe

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

My name is Mervyn Stutter and I am an actor, comedian, scriptwriter and songwriter – but mostly for this interview I am the host of Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe, a 90 minute lunchtime showcase of live Fringe talent now in its 30^th year. It’s the only showcase of Fringe talent that has a team of reviewers exploring the Fringe to find the best shows to showcase and covers all art forms at the festival, theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, music, circus – the lot!

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

When I started in 1992 people had been asking me if I’d seen anything good? So, I started a showcase of talent to help answer this question and called it, of course, SEEN ANYTHING GOOD? Then it became Pick of the Fringe, but other people tried to copy the idea and use the same name – so to avoid confusion we had to call it MERVYN STUTTER’S PICK OF THE FRINGE because we were the show that people trusted.

Tell us all about your show!

In 1992 the alternative comedy scene was growing, and the emerging managements thought they should start a separate Comedy Festival. Comedy certainly dominated the media but 45% of the Fringe was still theatre. 

I spent 15 years in theatre and knew that Fringe theatre did not get the publicity opportunities that comedy did, so I decided to provide a calm, well-resourced space for theatre – and similar disciplines – to perform in because they cannot gig around town like comedians or musicians. With my team of reviewers out watching 4-5 Fringe shows a day the audiences know they will get a seven top ‘trailers’ of guaranteed quality each day, allowing them an informed choice of what to go and see. With money tight this year then this service – to both acts and audience – may well more useful than ever before

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

Because we feature shows of all kinds every day, I get to see some the best shows in town each day. So, I’ll wait and see what’s hot. I’m a bit old school. No internet prebook, I’ll wait and be spontaneous.

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. 

Yes, I have performed at every Fringe since 1987; that’s 35 consecutive Fringes.

Advice? Flyer in person and with good grace. Be prepared to explain your show powerfully but briefly many time per day!

It seems to me that if you want to crack this festival, then plan to do three consecutive years. That way you can build an audience, build reviews, learn from mistakes and by Year Three you can truly enjoy yourself. You know how the Fringe works. You now know which venue will suit you best. You know many of the pitfalls and disappointments to avoid. You should have some familiar faces in the audience too which is always a joy and very encouraging.

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

Christine Bovill singing Piaf songs in the legendary Famous Spiegeltent and Charles Dumont who wrote ‘Je ne regrette rien’ coming onto stage to accompany her. It was electric.

And if I’m allowed, my own 20^th year of PotF charity Gala show with a guest list to die for – including Camille O’Sullivan, Ed Byrne, The Magnets, and The Pajama Men.

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

I stole this line from Denis Norden because the Over 70s like me are a huge part of the Fringe audience and also need a chuckle.

“I now have symptoms where I used to have urges”.

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

It’s always the Comedy! No one ever asks me about the unique and different theatre or dance or music!

So, for balance here’s truly exciting and different shows from the rest of the fest. 

Blind Summit Theatre – Moses is a cantankerous 3-man operated puppet with a cardboard head… who lives on a table. Tonight, he wants to tell you an epic story about God and Moses, life and death, and puppetry… on a table.

Michelle Van Hautem singing Jaques Brel in Flemish, French and English in the Famous Spiegeltent accompanied only by an innovative classically trained accordionist.

Antonio Forcione – an absolute genius on guitar, playing every single piece of the guitar. 

Will Gaines – a 75 year old jazz tap dancer from Detroit, who’d started out tapping on the street for loose change but went on to work with Ellington, Basie and Billie Holliday Favourite line “You should see when I’m earning money!”

Misha’s Gang – a tiny ebullient 70 something Russian conductor with a wicked sense of humour who brought his own classically trained orchestra to the festival. Truly a unique Fringe moment.

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

Pace yourself so you can remember every second of it.

Best thing about performing at the Fringe?

You will have four weeks to work your show to an even higher level.

As well as catching up with so many performers from all over the world – that was before Brexit obviously.

The most challenging thing about performing at the Fringe?

Hanging in there when things are not going well. There will always be low audience days. Always remember it’s not personal it’s just that the choice of shows each year is huge. 

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

A waterproof. Vitamin C. Talent

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Spending time with people and not just shoving a leaflet at them. Always explain your show – briefly with some well-rehearsed killer lines. If your show’s any good, then whoever comes – even just a few from that day’s flyering – then they will certainly tell their friends – and tell the next show queue – and tell the pub and cafe. People love to discover new talent. There’s a sense of ownership. Never forget the power of Word of Mouth. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

300 hundred of them every day. 

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

Twitter @mervspotfringe (https://twitter.com/mervspotfringe)

Insta @mervspotfringe (https://www.instagram.com/mervspotfringe/)
https://www.facebook.com/mervspotfringe 

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

Peer-reviewed. Variety. Showcase.