It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to Steph about the show Prototype.

Date: 13th-16th /18th August

Time: 19:00

Price: £14 Concession £12 / £11 Concession £9

Location: Old Red Lion Theatre / Museum Of Comedy

Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/prototype/

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

‘Prototype’ means ‘the first example of something, such as a machine or other  industrial product’. In the world of the show AMEXA is the prototype of a robot  politician and I like to think of this show as the prototype for the AMEXA works- dare  I say franchise? 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show? 

‘Prototype’ is a political comedy and a satirical farce, with lots of physical comedy  and multi rolling. Some might describe it as narrative sketch. Think ‘The Thick of It’  meets ‘Westworld.’ There are over 80 countries voting in elections this year. Satire  cannot be dead. 

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

‘Break a leg, babe’ by Rebecca Rayne who is also performing at The Museum of  Comedy and ‘My Female Husband’ by Tomboy productions at The Old Red Lion  Theatre are just two of the many shows that have piqued my interest. I’m keen to  see lots of women and/or non binary folk led work.  

what advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe  next year? 

Prepare as early as possible and listen to the Camden Fringe podcast! I got some  really useful tips from various episodes. 

What is the best thing about performing at the Camden fringe?

The support and resources from The Camden Fringe are brilliant, particularly if you  are self-producing, which I am. I’m sure I’ll have more to say on that once I’m doing  my run in August, as it is my first time doing the Camden Fringe. 

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give  to performers that is a sort of life hack? 

Camden Fringe is cheaper than the Edinburgh Fringe! But in all seriousness, find a  ‘bread and butter job’ that pays as much as possible for as little time as possible, and  doesn’t sap your physical or emotional energy. A job you can leave at the door so to  speak – easier said than done though!

What are your three favourite things about Camden? 

1. The amount of theatres, particularly fringe venues! 2. The audiences – so many  theatre & comedy lovers. 3. My boyfriend lives there.  

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member? 

Maybe some actual real-life politicians. I think I’d struggle to hold it together and  that would be a fun challenge. 

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this year’s  pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

@userPigeonbot4001. The pigeon carrier & message spreader for the social media  age. 

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

@stephdarcey on X (Twitter) & Instagram and @steph.darcey on TikTok. 

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

Comedic political catharsis.