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!

Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera

Location:   ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall – ROUNDABOUT (Venue 26)

Dates: Aug 1st-5th, 7th-12th, 14th-19th, 21st-26th

Time: 18:50

Price: £16 Concessions £14.50

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tones-a-hip-hop-opera

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

My name is Gerel. I’m an actor, Rapperturg and playwright as well!

Tell us all about your show!

 Tones is a show full of playful charm as we follow Jerome on his fateful path as he goes from childhood: playing games and laughs, to complexities of adulthood like race and class. Expect rap battles Power Rangers and Blind Date. Tones is a show with amazing bars.

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

The name Tones was originally metaphorical. As the show developed it became categorical. By that I mean referencing things like skin tone, tones of voice, colour tones and ring tones. Tones of music? There’s so many more. What else could we call it? I’m not really sure.

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? 

Make sure you see things! Not everything is costly, there’s gems in the free fringe.

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

Rise early in the AM. Second guess if it’s sunny or grey then… brekkie, shower and fresh attire. Leave the house, come back (don’t forget your flyers!)  I know you tried to leave them but sales could be higher!

Heading for the Royal mile now.

Everyone’s jolly though the sky might pile down. Old Town’s as busy as a jamboree . “Gotta handout more flyers than you hand to me.” There’s  people Dress as a door or playing dead on the floor (everyone on the miles got their own tactics!) Handing out Lollipops and 2-4-1 deal you’ll overhear “The street team here are fantastic” “They really sold us the show so we said that we’d go” everyone’s Super enthusiastic!

The uninterested ones pretend they’re on the phone. Flicking the free hand at you like “leave me alone.”

Then you get a message from someone you know “didn’t know you were in Edinburgh come to my show!” “yeah, why not, come watch mine” what time’s yours? 

“six?” 

“I’m at 5?” 

(there’s clearly a clash) 

“maybe next time?” 

“after were both done le

“Let’s drink when we’re both done 7:45?”

You wonder how your insides feel after last night? (Wouldn’t be surprised if you’re hanging on a half pint).

A hefty third of you flyers have gone. Head over to the theatre (not long till your on). Realise you forgot to get something for lunch. Scrambling round Edinburgh for a bit of munch. “If I don’t get something to replenish me. The audience will know that I have a lack of energy.” “What should I have for sustenance? Wait, let me think”… (A family sized can energy drink).

Now it’s showtime! Pre-Show jitters. Worried that your stomach won’t run the full distance. You Go for it full-pelt the audiences are silent. Yesterday’s audience were all having a riot. You wonder what’s going on? They stand up crying! Analysing each response becomes a daily science. Different every night but it’s a thrill and it’s exciting!

There’s an industry party, you’ve just been invited. You wonder who’ll be there “someone famous or quite big?” “You’re mate is on the guestlist you’ll meet around 9ish. The venue’s miles away it seems like you’re hiking. You’ve walked so many hills, you’ve got the calves of a Viking!

Collect the free drink tokens then slide in! Find the DJ, now the energy rising! Make new friends “everybody’s so vibrant!” Then we roll home wondering where the night went?

Wake up the next day more of the same. First a strong coffee  (get your head in the game!) I love the Fringe Festival, Edinburgh’s great!!!

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

TWITTER / X ACCOUNT: @gerelfalconer @wounduptheatre

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: @gerelfalconer @wounduptheatre