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!

Anu Vaidyanathan: Menagerie

Location:   Gilded Balloon Patter House – The Penny (Venue 24)

Dates: 31st Aug 1st-17th

Time: 17:00

Price: £12.50 Concessions £9.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5337/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I am a multi-hyphenate who dislikes hyphens. I’m a jobbing engineer who wrote a book, picked up filmmaking to avoid the formulaic rash of sports biopics in Bollywood, took a detour at Ecole Philippe Gaulier, landed in stand-up comedy to bring my debut show to the fringe in 2022. Three years since, I’ve realized my one true love is writing and I’m experimenting with theatre this year. Because the subjects are not all funny. 

Tell us all about your show!

Menagerie is about what we take with ourselves when our mortal manifestation disappears. 

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

We had saved up for three years to take our children on a safari. On that safari, I was thinking Noah’s Ark was filled with promise. Even if only metaphorical. 

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

Kiri Pritchard Mc-Lean, Colin Hoult, Simon Munnery, 

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. 

To keep it very chill.

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

For the last two years, I’ve woken up on days I’ve had shows to call my family (who often cannot afford to travel with), run, shower, flyer, warm up 30 minutes before the show, perform, eat, flyer. It’s a monastic experience I have great regard for. Being a writer-director, that much human energy one encounters is also brain candy. On my days off, I write in bed.

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

Lean into the happy people, the phenomenal effort every act has put in just to get there, the wonderfully capricious Scottish weather and disregard the other stuff. It never has and never will add to a party. 

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

The only place I can afford to eat is the crepe stand outside the assembly square. Savoury crepes have the exact proportion of carbs, proteins, fats, health and indigestion for one meal if its your only meal in a day. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Putting life on pause to do what you love most, understanding one’s role as an artist, which evolves over time and walking 30,000 steps daily when self-produced. 

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

Get there early, take in the crowd, talk to someone. 

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

A salt-shaker with equal parts self-reliance and vulnerability. 

what’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Really talk to people. As the great Fleabag said, people are all we have. 

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

Instagram – anu.vaidyanathan although I tend to go missing occasionally from the cyberverse. 

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

To find out the truth about Indian weddings