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!

Sam Lake: Esméralda

Location:   Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515)

Dates: Aug 1st-11th, 13th-25th

Time: 13:30

Price: £10 Concessions £8

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sam-lake-esmeralda

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hiya! I’m Sam Lake, the standup comedian and NOT the other Sam Lake who is from Finland and quite famous for making video games.

Tell us all about your show!

My new show is called Esméralda. It’s about me trying to embrace my Spanish heritage despite being born and in the U.K and raised on a steady diet of Cornish Pasties and repressing my homosexuality. I talk about my mum, Penelope Cruz (My mum isn’t Penelope, they’re two separate topics) and the Ice Age films which plagued my childhood.

How did you come up with the name for the show you’re taking to the fringe?

Well that would be telling, but all I’ll say is the name Esméralda has a special significance to me. 

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

Olga Koch, Huge Davies and Chloe Petts a.k.a the other members of Joy Multiplication. I’m also dead excited  to see some debuts from my pals. Chris Weir is hilarious and people confuse us for each other all the time. Also Kathleen Hughes is amazing and I can’t wait to see her do an hour. Also Eleanor Morton & Josie Long!

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? 

This is my third show, so I’ve picked up some great advice over the years. 

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

Well I wake up screaming, of course. Then I make myself a hearty breakfast of coffee and a longing glance at a yoghurt I don’t have time to eat. I walk to my venue. I buy my tech a sweet treat for the day. I do the show. And my shows have been earlier in the day the last few years, and I LOVE that. So once my show is over and I’ve said thank you/sorry (delete as applicable) to the audience, then I go sit in a dark place for a short while, I tell myself I’ll go see a show and then hit the gym but instead I just go home and finally eat that yoghurt, by which time has been left out of the fridge for some time and is bad.

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

Do ONE thing that is not fringe related and maybe even good for your body? Drink a glass of water. Have one vegetable. Stare at a road that isn’t cobbled.

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

I live in Edinburgh so I’d say my own flat. Because it only serves my favourite foods because It’s my flat and I live there. If you fancy going, don’t. Reservations are closed.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

I mean I do love that for one month my favourite people in comedy are always around to hang out with. There’s a tonne of knobheads who come up as well, but I try and avoid them

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

I believe most people make a spreadsheet or a calendar ahead of time? Go on twitter and you’ll find a bunch. I also quite enjoy just having an hour or two spare and walking around and going to see whatever I get flyered for next.

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

Deodorant, a second deodorant, and a granola bar.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Have other people do it for you?

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

They can follow me on everything @mrsamlake and also my podcast @ivehadarose

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

Me good comedy