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!

Juliette Burton: Hopepunk

Location:   Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Coorie (Venue 24)

Dates: Jul 31st Aug 1st-16th

Time: 19:40

Price: £12.50 Concessions £11.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/juliette-burton-hopepunk

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I’m Juliette Burton. I’m a comedian and activist, sold out every show for 5 years at the Edinburgh Fringe, self-confessed geek, weirdo, mad harpy, love my audiences with found-family passion, massive nerd, Muppets enthusiast, Xmen super fan, queer, addicted to hope. I’m a hopeium addict. 

But I’m not an egoist yet you’ve asked me to tell you about the word “yourself”?  

Yourself is not as powerful as ‘ourselves’. And that is the foundations of all my shows.

Tell us all about your show!

It’s a celebration (and challenge?) of hope. I’ve lost hope and the world seems to have lost hope in recent years. How do we keep going when hope seems lost? I hope (link intended) people will leave feeling more hopeful and empowered. And keen to see my other show Going Rogue which is a show about being a nerd and part of the LBGT community.

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

Hopepunk is a portmanteau – a word made up of 2 words. “Hope” means the faith or desire for a better future. “Punk” was a movement focused on rebellion. This show examines whether hope is a rebellious act nowadays. Both hope and punk used to be trendy, but now they’re not. Music genres evolve… but where does that leave sociological or philosophical outlooks? 

Hopepunk is also a genre of fiction. It explores characters who fight for positive change in society. It’s the opposite of Grimdark. Which I can only assume is like Poldark but with fewer pole dancers. I don’t know, I’ve never watched Poldark.

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

All my friends! Sooz Kempner, John Robertson, Marc Burrows, Vix Leyton, Sam See and so many more. Reuben Kaye, Michelle Brasier and many circus acts.

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. 

I have done the fringe many many many many times… my first fringe was in 2005. My first solo show was 2013. My first sold out run was 2015. My last sold out run was 2023. 

The key advice I’d give and have been given is – find your people. Look after each other. Find your spaces. Be loyal to them. Rest. Recoupe. Don’t believe the hype. Take a step back to find perspective. 

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

For me? Wow. Ok, be prepared. I’ll wake up around 7am or 8am, go for a run, get back, shower, while my hair dries in curls, I’ll go online to write then I walk into town and stop on the way to write at various coffee shops along the way. I’ll do some lunchtime spots at mixed bill line ups or Boardgame Smackdown. Then I’ll continue writing. For a few hours before my show I’ll flyer – I have been encouraged not to but I love meeting audience members, we are a community and if they feel safe with me then they’ll feel safe in the show. Then I’ll dive into the venue, change, get make up on, do my show, spend at least an hour after the show chatting to people who were in the audience, then head off to a spot on someone else’s show or to see someone else’s show. For me it’s usually bed by midnight as I need to look after my health! 

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

Rest rest rest – and see as many shows as possible preferably taking recommendations from the artists you see and love.

Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe? 

A few really key places have vanished in recent years which is so sad! But El Cartel is fun and lovely Mexican sharing plates near the best venues in my opinion.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

 The community – both audiences and artists. I’ve met the greatest humans and closest found family at this fringe. 

Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time?

Allow buffer time! Add 30mins on to the time you think it’ll take to get between shows! At the very worst you’ll have more time to chat to people in the bar about show recommendations for the next day.

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

Eye mask, grounding stone, a notepad with a list of your show props

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Being honest, real, authentic and personable. It’s not about sales. It’s about connection.

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

X/Twitter – JulietteBurton

Facbook – Juliette Burton Writer Performer

INSTA – Juliette_burton

Web – www.julietteburton.co.uk/shows

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

Hilarity, hope, Herstory