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!
For the Love of Spam
Location: Pleasance Courtyard – Beside (Venue 33)
Dates: Jul 31st Aug 1st-6th, 8th-13th, 15th-20th, 22nd-26th
Time: 14:10
Price: £16.00 Concessions £15.00
Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/for-the-love-of-spam
Hello! Tell us about yourself?
IZZY: Hi I’m Izzy and I am a Director, Facilitator and Music Maker from Mid Wales but now I live in London. I love making work about intersectionality, relationships and identity but am also a massive water baby with an addiction to Tony’s Chocalonely and anything pickled.
SIERRA: Hi I’m Sierra, I’m a CHamoru and Filipina theatre maker, currently based in London. I’m the writer and performer of ‘For the Love of Spam’! I’m passionate about using theatre to shift immigrant narratives, telling unique and diasporic stories that directly challenge the current political immigration rhetoric. I’m also a water baby, with a cat and love of cooking (and eating) good food.
Tell us all about your show!
IZZY: Sierra and I have been friends for 10 years, and after coming to see a show of mine a couple of years ago she told me about a therapy session she’d had where she’d spoken about her relationship with Spam and its links to colonialism I told her that was a great idea for a show. A seed commission from Camden People’s Theatre and support from PaperGang Theatre, The Pleasance, ITI Brazil, Applecart Arts …. and here we are!
SIERRA: For the Love of Spam is a story of canned meat and colonialism – and how those two intersect. I tell my story of eating Spam in different places (from my home island of Guam to London) and then eventually use it as a metaphor for modern day colonialism. It’s a wild ride, but that’s exactly how I want it to be.
How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the fringe?
IZZY: Sierra came up with the name, and I think it’s pretty self-explanatory really. Like Spam, it’s exactly what it says on the tin!
SIERRA: Exactly! I always loved the phrase ‘Oh for the love of God’ and just thought…. what if I actually replace God with Spam and use it as like another phrase ‘Oh for the Love of Spam!’
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
IZZY: I’m taking up another show this year called Nobody’s Talking About Jamie (which is going to be on at Underbelly), and so it’s going to be quite a full on time for me! But I’m always wanting to see what the company Pains Plough take up there, along with stand up comedians like Kiri Pritchard-McClane, Fern Brady, Helen Bauer and Jessica Fostekew.
SIERRA: Honestly, I’m excited to see anything and everything! Definitely want to check out the other Charlie Hartill shows from the Pleasance and there were some amazing stuff with CNC that looked fab. I’d LOVE to see Ginger Johnson’s show too!
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. And if you haven’t, how are you gearing up for it?
IZZY: I was part of a 9 person university sketch comedy group who went up there a couple of times back in the early 2010s…there was one year where I was effectively illegally squatting in the student dorms of the Geography dept and living off Soreen and baked beans the entire time I was so poor. The highlight on that month was having a bath in a windowless room with a stranded bike for company. Last year was the first time I’d been up since 2013 and to be staying on a SOFA BED in A FLAT in THE CENTRE OF THE CITY with LAUNDERED BEDDING and a MODEST DISPOSABLE INCOME was amazing.
My key piece of advice would be to look after yourself as much as possible – it can be incredibly overwhelming – don’t feel you have to go to every single thing every single night, make sure you have enough energy to support the work you’re doing and spend your money in the amazing reasonably priced vintage shops they have in Edinburgh rather than the incredibly overpriced IPAs. Eat at the Mosque Kitchen – beautiful cheap homemade curries and rice. Be kind to yourself and go up Arthur’s Seat.
SIERRA: I’ve never been so I’m incredibly excited and nervous about it all! I’ll definitely have to let Izzy and the rest of the team guide me.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
IZZY: As a director, I’m often only there for the very beginning of the run, and then at the end. So really, my daily routine last year was heading to Black Coffee Medicine Co for one of their amazing coffees and toasted sandwiches, then heading down to the venue to tech before a show. After the show, probably grab food with the performer and then head to catch a show in the evening.
What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?
IZZY: Chatting and connecting with other artists. Reminding yourself that it’s a big deal that you’ve made it there and being proud of that. Getting a mix of seeing shows, eating good food and having long walks…I sound like such an Aunty saying that don’t I?! Giving yourself time in the mornings.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
IZZY: Mosque Kitchen! Black Coffee Medicine Co! They’re both such Edinburgh institutions arent they. I always feel that I’m in Fringe mode once I’m in those places. I also love MUMs!
Best thing about performing at the Fringe?
IZZY: As a Director I can’t really comment on this haha but I always feel immense pride. This year having two shows up at the Fringe means a lot to me, and I’m so tremendously proud of both performers.
Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time?
IZZY: Allow enough walking time! Traffic is wild so get your steps in!
What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?
IZZY: Vitamin C tablets, hydrating facemasks, lavender oil.
What’s the secret to successful flyering?
IZZY: I find having a genuine conversation with folks and making them laugh is a really good way of charming them into coming to see the work.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
IZZY: Follow Sierra on @sierrasaysbuenas on IG & TikTok, @SierraSBuenas on X, and then I’m @izrabes on IG and @IzzyMorgana on X.
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
IZZY: HILARIOUS. BRAVE. DELICIOUS.
SIERRA: RARE. FUNNY. WILD.
Categories: Comedy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, edinburgh fringe, Theatre
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