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!

Harry Stachini: Grenade

Location:   Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302)

Dates: Jul 31st Aug 1st-11th, 13th – 26th

Time: 17:45

Price: £11 Concessions £10

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/harry-stachini-grenade

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Creativity, storytelling and laughter are fundamentals of our human experience. Sharing in these brings people together and can help us make sense of ourselves and the world around us. For the past 10 years, I’ve performed my stand-up comedy in the UK’s finest comedy clubs and festivals and have performed overseas in both Asia and Europe. My honest and relatable storytelling style of stand-up comes from my family. There’s a lot of us and we’re big talkers, we like a laugh, we take the p**** and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. This level of openness and honesty is what I aim for while on stage. That aside, I’m 29 years old, have 3 older sisters, live in Manchester and my credit score isn’t dog s****

Tell us all about your show!

Well, apart from it being very funny and relatable to any audience, my show is centred around the theme of honesty and how destructive that can be in our lives, as we’ve all at some point in our lives been carrying an honesty grenade. Some are small, like farting in a lift and owning up to it. But some are truly massive. Mine was medium to large and once, I pulled the pin, it destroyed an eight-year relationship, a mortgage and a blue whippet. The show is about how I dealt with my grenade and the aftershock of that decision whilst sharing why my family dynamics while growing up offered me a window into a life where honesty wasn’t present. And if you think telling the truth is damaging, hiding from it is even more dangerous. Thankfully the level of hilarity doesn’t take any shine off the show’s honesty but it does make you think about what type of life you could have if you were a little bit more honest. 

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

The name of the show ‘Grenade’ evolved out of conversations over many pints with friends and family over the past few years as I reflected upon my life decisions up to that point. I equated an area of your life that you know you should be dealing with but you don’t as a ‘Grenade’. It’s that feeling in your stomach when something isn’t quite right. It’s far easier to carry a grenade, conceal it and pretend all is well. However, it takes courage to face it and pull the pin. The metaphor of ‘Grenade’ is simple for people to understand and as the theme of the show is honesty, much like a ‘Grenade’, once it’s out there there’s no going back. 

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

Jason Byrne is someone I’ve been lucky enough to work with in the past. He’s an amazing live performer and for me strikes a good balance between earnestness and silliness whilst on stage. Connor Burns is another act that I’m looking forward to seeing. He’s making a name for himself and it’s always good to see one of your friends doing so well. The real surprise for me for this fringe is Mhairi Black. I’d be excited to see her perform as I am not overly political for many reasons, however I can’t help but find Mhairi Black relatable and personable whenever I’ve seen her speak in parliament. 

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 first went to the fringe in 2016 for a week to get a feel for the place and then returned in 2017 to host the AAA Showcase at The Pleasence Courtyard. It wasn’t until 2019 when I went with my first solo show that I understood what it was all about. It’s a rollercoaster of a month and at times it can make you feel ten feet tall and then, at others, you’re moping over a pint wondering ‘What have I got myself into’. The highs and lows are real but the one constant I have found in my experience of going to Edinburgh is that you get better as a performer. You learn to roll with the punches. My only advice would be to enjoy yourself and remember what Bill Hicks once famously said; ‘It’s just a ride’. 

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

In an ideal world, it’s getting to the gym before 10 AM, then looking at my show notes, maybe checking someone else’s show earlier in the day and then catching up with friends after my own show. The reality is the majority of the time I wake up with a sore head and a forest fire in my chest. On a good day, it only takes 3 Renne to fix my heartburn and a bottle of Fanta to get me going. However, the simple nature of a festival makes it very easy to throw routines out the window and burn the candle at both ends and who I am kidding about going to the gym in the morning when at 2 AM I’m eating a kebab and googling where I can find more Renne. 

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

If you’re performing a show remember ‘It’s just a ride’ and surround yourself with some good eggs. I’ve had some of the best laughs of the fringe sat around a table with comics after I’ve told them about a terrible show I’ve just had. I’d also say it’s good to get out of the city for a day and head to the beach. At least there you can walk along and not get flyered every 10 seconds. 

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

It has to be the Piemakers. It’s cheap and cheerful and the only place on the planet that I know sells macaroni pies. I can’t help but grab something anytime I pass and thankfully there is a Sainsbury just across the road which are always well-stocked on Renne. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

My favourite thing about performing at the fringe is that you get better as a performer. It’s not often that you get a chance to work that muscle out on stage every day in front of so many diverse audiences. Plus it’s always great finishing a day sat around a table having a pint with other comics as you catch up with each other. I always make a point of heading to the Brass Monkey pub as it’s one of my favourite spots in the city. 

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

Everything takes longer than you think and lots of people love walking slow. 

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

Card reader. Comfortable shoes. Renne. I can’t stress the last one enough. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

I think everyone has their style of flyering but in my opinion, the best way to go about it is to undersell and have 10 good conversations with punters rather than handing out 100 flyers blindly. I never go for the hard sell and keep my pitch to a minute. I am always being pushy or performative whilst flyering never works and it’s best to keep it simple. 10 conversations with punters isn’t hard work but 100 flyers hadn’t out blindly is a waste of time.  

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

My socials: 

Instagram: @Harrystandup 

TikTok: @Harrystachini 

X: @Hstachini 

YouTube: @Harrystachini 

FB: @Harrystachinicomedy 

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

Honest, relatable, comedy