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!

Sian Hutchinson: Tick My Box

Location:   Le Monde – Shanghai (Venue 47)

Dates: Aug 2nd-12th, 14th-25th

Time: 13:00

Price: £10 Concessions £9

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sian-hutchinson-tick-my-box

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I was six years old when I appeared in a local panto as a mouse, complete with papier-mache head. This was when I discovered that I could make people laugh. At 20 I had forgotten my modern speech for a Radio Module at drama school, so quickly penned one in the canteen! It made people laugh and I was encouraged to perform at Madame JoJos variety night. It went down a storm with Zoe Wanamaker describing it as ‘c*nt curling’. I workshopped it with Harriet Thorpe during a session at Central and this inspired me to write more. In 2007 I performed my first one woman show ‘Clutching at Straws’ in Edinburgh leading me to be nominated for The Funny Women Award. In 2010 I took the raw version of ‘Tick My Box’ to Edinburgh for a week as my daughter had just been born (my wife is the biological mother and Lila stayed with her just to be clear). 

I teamed with Barry Glennon to form ‘Barry&Sian’ and we had lots of fun creating and performing sketch shows for over seven years, winning two awards, being finalists in the Leicester Square Sketch Off and being spotted by Warner Brothers just before the dreaded Covid which sadly stopped anything meaningful going ahead. During this time we entertained ourselves by filming short scenes edited together for a small group of subscribers on YouTube and a 22 minute episode of our finest sketches was aired on Latest TV (a local TV station in Brighton). The main objective being to keep sane! In 2022 the ‘Barry&Sian’ projects came to an end and I was encouraged to get back on the solo horse, so to speak. With Lamb Comedy and my trusted friend Amy producing and Paddy Cooper, of recent KitKat commercial fame, directing I brought a revamped version of ‘Tick My Box’ to the Brighton Fringe where it sold out and won the Audience Choice Award. I then took it to Camden Fringe which was another sell out and sensibly filmed this one. I sent a copy to Ted Dowd (a producer on ‘Gavin & Stacey’; ‘Camping’; ‘The Mighty Boosh’ to name but a few) whose feedback firmly planted the seed of adapting the script/ placing the characters in a sitcom setting. I have written a pilot episode and hope to continue to develop it during my Edinburgh run. 

Tell us all about your show!

‘Tick My Box’ is observational character comedy, less of the punchline more of the situation. I hate ‘knock knock’ jokes but I love a well placed slam.

I wrote this piece in 2012 and the tone/ language chosen is very of the time and at times could be deemed offensive. However it is meant to jolt. In my opinion comedy should never be safe. 

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

‘Tick My Box’ is about dating and let’s face it we all have boxes that need ticking (and of course the obvious innuendo my main reason behind the title!)

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

My fellow flatmates James Barr and Anna Morris, not only are we going to keep each other sane, they are hugely talented and ones to watch!

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 participated in PBHs free fringe but this is the first time playing a paid venue. My advice is to pace yourself. You will get carried away and it is great to network and support other acts but pace yourself. 

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

A routine… hmm… well the one thing that is absolutely routine is the performance! In my case 1pm! Flyering prior to that! I will then help flyer for my flatmates and catch a performance. (I am aiming to eat healthily and swim once a week however we shall see…) 

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

If you are a performer, jump in and embrace it for what it is. There will be days when you need to be philosophical, not everything will go to plan (unless you are incredibly fortunate). If you are a supporter, pick out some events you definitely want to go to (like ‘Tick My Box’ 1pm ..) and then chance upon others. There is a smorgasbord for you to enjoy!

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

Do you mean drink? Obviously my mates’ amazing cocktail bar Hey Palu! (They do snacks too so that counts!)

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The camaraderie, the potential, the challenge. 

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

Trainers! Most places are within walking distance. Three shows a day is probably a good shout. Grab a cheeky paper map and go ‘old school biro’ all over it! Frame it and you have art and memories for your wall! Top Tip!

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

Travel wash, multi vits and a thick skin!

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Sometimes shamelessness works however there is a fine line between brazen and confident, always good to throw in a dash of humility! Read the room! But it does have to be done! It is also better if you do a lot of it yourself, however getting help to spread the word is massively useful too. 

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

@sooztmb instagram

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

You will laugh!