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!

Optimistic: Elizabeth Holmes

Location:   ZOO Southside – Studio (Venue 82)

Dates: Aug 4th-9th, 11th-16th, 18th-27th

Time: 18:55

Price: £13 Concessions £11

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/optimistic-elizabeth-holmes

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I make theatre, I love my cat, and I take karaoke so seriously that my BFF and I have a song list on my phone that we have been curating for six years so we always know just what to sing. 

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

It comes from a design concept Holmes and her ad agency created for Theranos: simple, human, optimistic. I knew my general take on the story was that Elizabeth Holmes was optimistic to a completely ludicrous degree, and made dangerous choices based on her inability to accept criticism. “Delusional” might have been a better title. 

Tell us all about your show!

It’s about the fraudulent biotech CEO Elizabeth Holmes, who claimed she had created technology that could run hundreds of blood tests on a single drop of blood. Turns out she’s a bit of a liar. It’s a verbatim play, so the script is all words that come from Holmes or her associates “behind the scenes” while she was telling the public her technology worked. I’ve really enjoyed working with her notes to herself and the text messages between her and her partner Sunny. Her tiger!! 

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

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, High Steaks, And Then the Rodeo Burned Down, Heist. I saw After the Act earlier this year and I’m looking forward to seeing that again. Stuck in Free Fall by Nicola Bullock sounds so intelligent and intriguing — I think it’ll be really imaginative and inventive performance art. Canada’s Ghost River Theatre is bringing an audio experience, Tomorrow’s Child, and I’m stoked for that — Eric Rose, the Artistic Director of GRT, is working with me on Optimistic and I really admire his work. 

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. 

Last year (2022) I did a limited run of another play, and I did a WIP performance of Optimistic. I’ve heard a number of people say, “You can do anything at the Fringe, but you can’t do everything at the Fringe” — yes. Decide a goal, then figure out what concrete steps you can take to achieve that goal. Otherwise, your energy gets misspent. If your goal is to get reviewed, spend your energy on that, not chasing international presenters. And remember that the benchmark for success is selling 1/3 of your tickets. 

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

Sleep in, work out, flyer, network, see plays, prepare for show, do show, head to a pub and enjoy traditional music into the wee hours. 

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

Use your time flyering on the Royal Mile to connect with other artists, and take some alone time every day. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The buzz on the Royal Mile. That level of excitement and energy is just unmatched. And seeing art from all over the world. 

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Staying encouraged when audiences are small. Last year we had one audience of about 10 people. I was so discouraged and felt like a failure. Afterwards, a group of three people waited to speak to us, and they were absolutely ecstatic about the show. I’ll never forget the one man saying, “You’ve just LIFTED our day!” He was so delighted. When we saw the audience numbers for that day I felt so bad, but now that is the most special performance I look back on. 

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

Journal, foam roller. Maybe a flask.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Having a few short and snappy lines that you can swap out depending on the person you are attempting to woo. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Ooooh. For this show, John Carreyrou. 

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

insta: stellar.deller

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

Fresh, bold, true.