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!

Hamstrung

Location:   Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand (Venue 33)

Dates: Jul 31st, Aug 1st-13th, 15th-26th

Time: 11:30

Price: £12

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/hamstrung

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello, I’m George, a writer and performer giving life to Hamlet’s Yorick this fringe. My work often draws on the Gothic/supernatural as well as the world of clowning and comedy, and this show fuses these together in a delightful concoction of queer, existential playfulness.

Tell us all about your show!

Hamstrung is an interactive, Shakespearean tragicomedy about Yorick, the deceased court jester from Hamlet.

Summoned from the dead by a story-hungry audience, he sets out to bring the spark of theatrical joy back to the Danish court, reconnecting with his lost love of performance whilst accidentally leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

The solo show explores themes of comedy, love and the search for meaning, weaving around the events of Shakespeare’s narrative and unearthing the life and death of a famously absent performer.

It’s existential, quirky and queer: a fun, irreverent take on Hamlet that channels the humour, headiness and hubris of the melancholy Dane.

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

The show was initially called ‘Alas! The King Is Dead’ but I don’t think it quite captured the spirit of the play. I was talking to a friend who used the word ‘hamstrung’ in a sentence and I had to stop him in his tracks as it was so clear to me – that was it!

The word perfectly captures the feeling of being somehow thwarted and unable to escape just like Yorick. It has surprisingly bloody etymology (so perfect for the gore-fans), plays nicely with ‘Hamlet’ and the hamminess of much Shakespearean acting, and suggests the feeling of being ‘strung’ up. Come and see the show to see why this is relevant.

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

I’m always on the look-out for shows that integrate horror and the supernatural, especially when there’s a queer angle. Box Tale Soup’s Casting the Runes is high on my agenda, as well as Diva, Gay Witch Sex Cult and of course, Ginger Johnson’s show. I’m also a sucker for the Kaye Hole and think Baby Wants Candy is just the most joyous thing.

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. 

‘Tis my first Fringe! I was supposed to go up in 2020 but then this little old virus came along… This time around, I’ve reached out to many more experienced artists who have been so generous with offering advice. The best tip I got was to simply make the show so brilliant that audiences are completely blown away and will want to tell all their friends all about the experience. I plan to do just that!

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

I’m performing in an earlier slot (11:30am) so will be up relatively early to ‘Wake and Shake’. Upon rising, I shall dust the earth from my brow, scramble from my coffin and gather flower petals to adorn my grave (as let’s be honest, no one else is). I will then find myself sucked into the world of Hamlet, play the audience like a mandolin, and receive my standing ovation. After this, I will spend the rest of the day wandering the historic streets of Edinburgh, seeing shows and connecting with audiences and artists alike. Please do come and say hello!

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

I think it’s all about making friends and embracing that it’s a festival. As humans have done for centuries, gathering together to celebrate the emotional scope of what it means to be alive (and above all, laugh!) is a huge privilege and possibly one of the most exciting things you could be doing with your summer.

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

There are plenty of cafés near Pleasance Courtyard where you can grab yourself a Danish before heading to your morning Shakespeare fix. Piemaker is also great if you want stodge though maybe not daily… I would also recommend to any international friends to try out the UK’s booming meal deal economy. Of these, Coop is my top recommendation. Once you have your sani, snack and soda pop, retire to a nearby graveyard to enjoy!

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The audiences are smart, curious and up for going on a real journey. There are so many people to meet and it becomes the entire world. Just magic!

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

I think it’s gone but there used to be a shop called Pleasance in an entirely different part of the city. DO NOT GO THERE unless you want to wander round on a street corner far from where any theatre is happening.

Being on time for shows is also really important – you might find that there isn’t a latecomers policy and be disappointed. (This happened to me once, it was devastating!) Sometimes it’s good to stick to a venue for a day or afternoon, as this means you can pack more in.

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

Two skulls (your own and an extra one for safety), many blessings (for yourself and for audiences), and some cute outfits for flyering.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

While not performing, I coordinate flyering in London, so give this sort of advice all the time! The key thing is to identify and target your audience, then have genuine engagement with people. It’s all about rapport and showing an interest in what they like and are looking for. If you can match your show to that, then great! You have a relationship and a potential audience member. I would also advocate for A6 flyers. They are usually big enough and easier to slip into a pocket – so less likely to go in the bin!

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

Our show handle is @hamstrung_play on IG and Twitter, and I’m @GeorgeMRennie – check out either for our trailer and some awesome photos of the show!

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

Replenish spiritual jouissance