It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to Holly Stars all about her birthday celebration…

Date: 7th August
Time: 20:00
Price: £16
Location: Phoenix Art Club
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/holly-stars-birthday/

Hello! Tell us about yourself ? 

I’m a stand up comedian drag queen from the north of England. I wrote the west end comedy Death Drop and love party rings, Tia Maria and watching Bad Girls on DVD.

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

Well it’s my 40th birthday during Fringe so I thought it was appropriate to bring a birthday story to the festival. And I promise there won’t be too much talk of creaking hips.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

Each of my shows is a story, usually about my terrible, terrible neighbours and the terrible things they’ve done to me.

What will your set be about?

Holly Stars is turning 40 and she’s ready for a new decade to begin. She might be on the fast-track to middle age but nothing’s going to slow her down. However, when Holly’s neighbours try to stop her from organising the party of her dreams, Holly goes to war. Will her 40^th birthday be her most dramatic yet? 

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

I can’t wait to see James Barr’s new show on 4-5 August! It’s called Chains and WIPs Excite Me and looks super fun.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

I’ve never done Fringe before and I’m so excited to do it for the first time this year. What a treat!

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Go for it! It’s a wonderful supportive community of performers and producers, all bringing their A-game. I’m very happy to be part of it.

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

Make the most of the resources available from Camden Fringe – the guidance on setting up and selling your show. Everything is on the website and I found it really useful.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

I lived in Camden for a long time and I love its diversity, that there’s something to do/see every night of the week, and Camden has some lovely parks.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Beverley Callard of course! I reserve her a seat at every one of my shows but she’s yet to make it. Maybe Camden Fringe will be the time!

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

I would name the pigeon Beverley, in honour of my favourite actress, the legend and superstar Beverley Callard. The pigeon’s top hat represents Beverley’s grand status as one of the UK’s most iconic soap performers of all time.

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

@hollywstars on twitter, insta, tiktok, youtube. All my show info is on my website www.hollywstars.com

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

It is funny.