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!

Catherine McCafferty: (Not) That Bad

Location:   Just The Tonics -at The Mash House – Just The Bottle Room (Venue 288)

Dates: Aug 1st-11th, 13th-25th

Time: 15:30

Price: £14

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/catherine-mccafferty-not-that-bad

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Catherine has performed stand-up for 8 years. Originally from Chicago she has lived in both NYC and currently resides in LA.  She can be seen in Hulu’s Crush a queer high school rom com and acting alongside Jenna Ortega in American Carnage. Most recently McCafferty has released a digital series on Patreon called ‘Pretty Gay’ produced by Sam Reich (DropOut TV) and Elaine Carroll (Very Mary-Kate). She has performed as a part of the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, Dallas Comedy Festival and Portland Comedy Fest. A Chicago tribune reporter once wrote that ‘her skin was like a creamy peanut butter’, and David Sedaris told her she would make an excellent prostitute.

Tell us all about your show! 

‘(Not) That Bad’ is a show about death, dating, and diarrhea. Catherine McCafferty will take you on the journey of her life: growing up in a family affected by alcoholism, coming out of the closet late, getting engaged to her first gay partner, having her engagement end, watching her dad die, getting sexually assaulted, and (arguably) worst of all shitting herself in public. 

The show strives to explore that tragedy plus jokes equals comedy, because time isn’t linear. Grief is a circle, and the circle can and should have some really funny speed bumps along the way. If the journey of life isn’t where we are going but how we got there, it’s also about how we tell people we got there.

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

I have always been drawn to humor as a coping mechanism and throughout my life I have explained away tragedies as “not that bad” to be more palatable for people. I decided to name the show (Not) That Bad to illustrate things can be both that bad and that funny. 

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

I am so thrilled to go and support my comedy colleagues from the states like Titi Lee, Olivia Lavine and The Ladies Who Ranch. I am also excited to explore all the fantastic clowning that happens at the Fringe. 

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 was lucky enough to take part in a split bill for the Free Fringe last summer. I would say great advice someone gave to me was go in without expectations because it’s not like anything you’ve ever done before. Work hard and support other people’s shows and you will have fun. 

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

I will imagine I will be getting up a little later than I normally do, due to staying out late seeing as many shows as I can while getting enough sleep! Coffee is a must and then I will go out and flyer before taking about 20 min of downtime to regroup before I perform at 15:30 at the Bottle Room! After my performance I am sure I will need to eat I and then off to go and support other art!

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

Make friends and get enough sleep and water! 

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

I love this little crepe cart called Tupiniquim

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

You get to enjoy SO many shows in one place and rejoice and celebrate live performing for a whole month. 

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

Plan your routes beforehand. You need to walk fast especially if you are stacking shows one right after the next. 

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

Oh gosh I don’t know I need someone to tell ME this! I would say a comfort item from home, a pen and a notebook! 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Two hours before your show flyer flyer flyer!

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

Please check out my IG @Catherine_McCaff

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

Bad is Funny