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!

The Duchess of Buckingham Regrets to Inform You That Her Husband is Dead

Location:  Paradise in Augustines – The Sanctuary (Venue 152)

Dates: Aug 19th-24th

Time: 10:25

Price: £12.00 Concessions £10.00

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/duchess-of-buckingham-regrets-to-inform-you-that-her-husband-is-dead

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I’m Niamh Dunne, an award-winning screenwriter and playwright of ‘The Duchess of Buckingham Regrets To Inform You That Her Husband Is Dead’, a new historical dramedy about love, death and pocket watches. I write comedies and comedy-dramas about complex, interesting female characters and am on a crusade to bring more original period pieces into theatre, film and TV (despite, perhaps, my better judgement).

Tell us all about your show!

The Duchess of Buckingham follows Selina, the titular Duchess, who’s husband has died under very mysterious circumstances. When his will announces that she has to remarry in a week or lose everything, she chooses a Lord named Harry who was robbing her home when they first met. Lying about his birthright (he’s actually a bailiff and not a very good one), they form an unlikely bond out of the ashes of her first marriage. But there are games afoot to ensure Selina never remarries and a mystery surrounding how the Duke TRULY died, causing chaos for the Duchess, her family, a second bailiff, a bitter social climber, an omniscient housekeeper and a priest.

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

The title was the very first thing I came up with – before there was even a play to talk about. I had a visual in my head of a breathless messenger knocking on someone’s door, proclaiming ‘the duchess of Buckingham regrets to inform you that her husband is dead’ and having it shut in their face again as they cried out for water. An odd image, certainly, but it’s remained constant throughout the development of the play for the last 3 years.

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

I’m so excited to see Christine Ubochi’s “Galentine’s Day” that Ruckus Theatre is also presenting at Fringe this year alongside my own play. I always look out for historical comedies, so I can’t wait for ‘Squires’ at Surgeons Hall, ‘The Importance of Being…Earnest?’ At Pleasance Courtyard and Well Played at TheSpace @ Venue 25. I’d also love to catch Lorna Rose Treen and Catherine Cohen’s comedy shows 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. 

I have never done the Fringe before – I’m a first timer and so excited to experience it all. The best piece of advice I’ve been given so far is to just enjoy it. Soak it all in, get fully immersed.

The whole world comes to Edinburgh for fringe theatre and I feel enormously lucky to be a small part of it in 2024. And also wear comfortable shoes. That one’s come up a lot.

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

This is how I plan to do Fringe (or at least, how I’ve been told to do it)

– Do morning routine: do not skip breakfast or you will be completely unbearable for most of the day. These are your friends, don’t give them a reason to not rehire you.

– Head to the venue to prepare for the show: While the actors and production team are doing actually helpful things, languish in your own brilliance as the writer having to do very little. Try not to get in the way.

– Last Minute Flyering: Head out to get more bums on seats for the show – you never know who might decide a last-minute trip to Regency England is just what they need at 10.30am.

– Do The Show: I have very little to do with this part, so I’ll mostly be there to clap and cheer loudly for the brilliant cast.

– Meet The Audience: Take as much time as possible to meet audience members after the show, hear about what they thought and chat. Nightmare for introverts, but we have to suck it up.

– Lunch: Head over to George Square for a solid lunch.

– Admin: Catch up with business partners and fellow artists, network, or head back out for flyering, depending on the day.

– See a Show: With so many shows to see, there’s a bevy of options – no matter how niche or odd your tastes may be. If it’s historical and silly, I’m likely going to be there with bells on.

– Grab a drink at one of the amazing fringe bars – you never know who you might meet in there.

– Bed time.

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

Don’t think too much. Generally good advice for life that I have never once taken on board.

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

The Mac and Cheese stand between George Square Gardens and Bristo Square or the  coffee and cake cart in George Square Gardens can take all of my money.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Honestly, getting to bring this play to a wider audience. I’ve been working on this play for almost three years and now it gets to be part of this enormous, prestigious festival. I just hope they’re ready for a chaotic period romance / mystery that would make Jane Austen blush…

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

Wear. Comfortable. Shoes. There’s a lot of walking involved in Fringe, so investing in your arch support is a MUST. Your fringe experience will be substantially better (I’m informed) if you have a good pair of shoes.

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

1. Good Shoes: You’re going to be on your feet a lot and the right shoes make all the difference

2. Water Bottle: A large one, preferably. Staying hydrated is very useful for surviving Fringe and, in a pinch, the stainless steel ones could probably be used as a weapon.

3. Umbrella: It is Scotland. I’d rather be prepared than soggy.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Having a unique hook. Give people a reason to stop and take your flyer – a fun catchphrase, a question that surprises them, costumes, circus tricks. Something that makes you stand out. I’ve always found enthusiasm works best – if you’re excited about what you’re flyering for, other people will be excited too.

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

You can find me on Twitter/X @niamhxdunne, on Instagram @niamhdunnewriter or on my website: https://niamhdunnewrites.wordpress.com/.

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

Courtships, chaos, corpse.