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!

Come Dine With Me: The Musical

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

Dates: Jul 31st Aug 1st-12th, 14th-25th

Time: 14:20

Price: £17.00 Concessions £15.00

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/come-dine-with-me-the-musical

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Hello! We’re Sam Norman & Aaron Nihal King, and we write musicals. (Separately, we also write screenplays, film scores, operas – honestly whatever gets us the gig.) When we’re not writing, Aaron experiments with making dodgy liqueurs and Sam aims to befriend every corgi in the world.

Tell us all about your show!

Come Dine With Me is a national treasure. But what goes on behind the cameras?

Our (fictional!) musical hones in on the TV crew in a pickle. They’re shooting a milestone episode, but they suspect one of the contestants is sabotaging their rivals’ food. Who could it be? The Sound Guy is tasked with tracking down the culprit – but, to complicate matters, the prime suspect might just be his childhood crush.

Mix in some divas, a splash of romance and a sizzling score, and the result is a joyful musical comedy that’ll leave you craving seconds!

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

It took hours of brainstorming and several focus groups.

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

There’s a crazy amount to choose from, and we love discovering new people. But we’ll be sure to go see improv geniuses Racing Minds, Sam’s old a cappella group The Alternotives, and exciting new musicals like I Wish You Well and Silence!

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? 

We actually took our first ever show to the Fringe! It was a tiny student production telling a bizarre true story about a bad-tempered chess match, and it only ran for a week, but it was the most exhilarating, exhausting time imaginable.

Be prepared for endless flyering, non-existent crowds, lots of rain and constant overstimulation. It ends up being the most fun you’ll ever have.

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

Last time Sam was at the Fringe, he was sharing a flat with 16 friends. There was one bathroom. His day would usually begin at the crack of dawn in order to be first into said bathroom, then breakfast, several hours of flyering, quick Subway lunch, more flyering, the actual show, pint, trip to see someone else’s show, accidental nap, dinner, then off to enjoy the Edinburgh nightlife. Rinse and repeat.

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

Download the app. Embrace the madness. You can sleep when you’re dead (which you will be by the end).

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

There’s honestly nothing better than a post-show pub trip.

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

Brace yourself: your step count will go through the roof. Best thing to do is go into training several months in advance. Triathlons, Iron Men, that kind of thing. If you’re reading this, it’s probably too late.

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

You just need one, but it’s a total gamechanger. A really really waterproof poncho.

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Borderline fatal levels of caffeine.

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

Follow us at @samcreatesdrama and @aaronnihalking for a good time! Sam’s website is http://www.samuelnorman.com (he occasionally sends out a newsletter to friends and fellow theatre geeks), and Aaron’s is http://www.aaronkingcomposer.com.

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

Desserts, divas, drama!