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!

Alex Franklin: Gurl Code

Location:   Underbelly, Cowgate – Dehli Belly (Venue 61)

Dates: Aug 1st-11th, 13th-25th

Time: 20:25

Price: £10 Concessions £9

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alex-franklin-gurl-code

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hallo! My name’s Alex, I’m a half-Chinese, trans comedian from London! I’m very cool!

Tell us all about your show!

The show is called ‘Alex Franklin: Gurl Code’; it’s a show about trans joy, and my first year on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) – also that strange time at age 15 when I used to lug furniture around London via the tube (not a job, just did for fun).

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

I started talking to my director about all the weird ways that people perceive something or someone as masculine or feminine, and how most of them are unconscious, and we were just like; o it’s like a secret code. And now here we are. With the title. Look how far we’ve come.

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

You HAVE to see you Andrew Doherty: Gay Witch Sex Cult. Literally on pain of death. It is INCREDIBLE. If I could I would be there EVERY NIGHT. Also Kiran Saggu, Fellany LeGeyser, Low Effort Sketches; to be honest I could name hundreds aha. The one thing you should NOT do is go see WILL BF: The Last Gun at 4:30pm at Hootenannies. Do NOT see that show. It is RUDE and AGAINST MY VALUES. Do NOT see it.

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 think a lot of people in theatre / comedy tend to speak quite loudly and because of this, if they’re performing every day at Edinburgh, and seeing loads of people, they tend to wear out their voice. So please trust me when I say SPEAK QUIETLY – In 2022 I wore out my voice on day 5 and I dropped like an octave. If I tried to speak in my regular range it was just a whistle.

Also be nice to venue staff; you’re seeing them everyday, so you might as well try build a friendship with them

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

5am: Wake up. Work out for 7 hours.

12pm: Weapons training and survival skills.

12:30pm: Lunch

2pm: Rig multiple overseas elections (do online).

3pm: Feed the beast you keep in your apartment.

6pm: Second workout. This time not PHONING IT IN.

8:25pm: Do the show!! (Alex Franklin: Gurl Code at Delhi Belly, Underbelly Cowgate!)

9:30pm: Immediately run away from show, sticking to the shadows

10pm: Watch a new film. Instantly write a Letterboxd review so people know I watched it and that I have important thoughts and feelings.

12am: Put a ring of salt around your bed so at night the creatures can’t get you. Put one around your roommate also if you’re feeling generous.

1am: Fall asleep.

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

Obviously go see shows, but do other things as well! Go climbing, do an escape room, watch a film, go to the beach, read a book, etc. Don’t put aside the things you usually love just because you need to see Underbelly show number 56. I would also have some sort of doomed romance/ situationship on the go to keep things spicy!

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

Okay I actually have a place but I’m not telling you because I really like it and it’s mine and I really like it and it’s mine.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

That there’s so many shows about that you can see a million different new things every day! That and the debt collectors chasing me struggle to pick me out in the crowds!

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

If you learn the backroads they’re often way less crowded. Also run around wearing a hard hat and a high vis jacket so you look important. Also no one’s going to stop you if you start climbing over the fences.

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

An old GameBoy Advance with a copy of Pokemon Emerald (with link cable so we can trade), a stack of venue passes acquired by having a tenuous connection to another show (I’ve literally put a friend down as a ‘trainee’ before), and some nunjucks or perhaps a trident for when the big duel starts (happens on the day off, it’s like the Purge, be afraid).

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Genuinely – high GSM (thickness) on your flyers – it makes everyone who picks your flyer up go ‘o damn it’s thick’. Also if you’re feeling fancy add a matt finish.

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

Instagram: @alex_franklin_hallo

Twitter/ Tiktok: @AWildFranklin

House: 4* ******* Road, E** ***

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

You’ll look progressive.