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!

Yes, We’re Related

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

Dates:  Jul 31st -10th, 12th-24th

Time: 14:00

Price: £11.50 Concessions £10.50

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/yes-we-re-related

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Hey! My name is Florence Lace-Evans and I am the performer/writer of the smash-hit dark comedy ‘Yes, We’re Related’. I trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and I later started writing plays to showcase women in comedy. I adore comedy, especially comedy sitcoms – and have spent hours watching and re-watching series like The Office and Schitt’s Creek.

Tell us all about your show!

‘Yes, We’re Related’ is the ultimate dark comedy show following two dysfunctional sisters who are unsuccessfully trying to navigate grief. It takes place on the one year anniversary of Sara and Saskia’s mothers’ death, and Sara is very much living in denial.

On the other hand, Saskia is desperately trying to throw “a party to die for” accompanied by her quirky partner Mark – who very much tries to be the life and soul of the party. Expect dodgy party games, disgusting desserts and one diabolical secret.

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

I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People’ – anything Lorna Rose Treen does is so original and funny. Also, ‘Elf Lyons: The Bird Trilogy’ is on my list – I really loved seeing her 2024 show ‘Horses’ last year – she is a masterclass! I also may have to go and see ‘Swamplesque’ again… I saw it last year and it was such a fun show – plus I do have a guilty pleasure for Shrek.

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.

Yes! I actually premiered ‘Yes, We’re Related’ last year at Edinburgh Fringe 2024! I think one of the most important pieces of advice I received was during my time on Soho Theatre Edinburgh Labs, that once you’re up at Fringe, try not to compare your show to anyone else’s and stay focused on what you want to achieve during your time there.

I think if anyone is coming to Fringe for the first time this is super important, because it can feel so scary and overwhelming when you first arrive. There is so much noise and so many people, and it’s really easy to forget why your show is just as important as everyone else’s. Find your people, find your friends, find your favourite coffee shop and look after yourself!

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

Luckily my show doesn’t start until 2pm, so I always try and give myself a bit of a lie in! But what I did find last year that going for a walk first thing or going to a fitness class in the morning really helped me clear my mind before I started my day. Last year I got into a terrible habit of accidently finding myself in Söderberg bakery every morning leaving with a coffee and cinnamon bun.

Then I usually spend the rest of the morning catching up on emails and Fringe admin, and most importantly making a plan of action for the rest of the day. Afterwards the team tends to meet up armed with flyers, and a couple of hours before the show we would hit the streets with our infamous squirrel masks!

Before the show we all head over to Underbelly and make sure all our props and costumes are ready to go – most importantly making sure we have our freshly made trifle ready for the show.After the show I always need to run home to have a shower… spoiler alert, the show can get a little messy. Then in the evening the cast and crew all head out for celebratory drinks together at the pub and try to fit in as many shows that we can manage… usually ending the night with a late night crepe!

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

My guilty pleasure is heading over to this crepe van late night after a show. I think it’s usually parked up somewhere by George Square – and they have so many flavours and toppings. It is freshly made in front of you, and it is always super delicious. My go to order is banana and Nutella – and I’m pretty sure it’s called something like ‘chocolate monkey’?

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The best things about performing at the Fringe is the feeling of being able to truly celebrate the months of work your cast and crew have been putting in. The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to bring a show to Edinburgh is months and months of planning and organising. Once your opening night is done, the feeling of relief knowing your show is up is amazing. Also, the people you meet and work with when you perform at the Fringe are so lovely! Especially the people who work at your venues, you see them every day – and they always super supportive and really celebrate your achievements with you. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Finding time to rest. Fringe is amazing, and there is so much to do and see and be a part of. But I think as an artist you also have to remember you need time to sleep, eat and rest. The festival can be incredibly tiring, so finding ways to pace yourself is super important.

Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?

I think anything that might be a small home comfort I found can really help. I remember bringing a small scented candle and a few pictures of friends and family with me really helped to make my room feel more like a home. It’s small things like this that really helped me settle during my time at the Fringe. I also do have an unofficial ‘Yes, We’re Related’ mascot which I bring with me… a toy squirrel my mum bought me for my first opening night last year.

What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?

Have meals with your cast and crew… eating out or in it’s so much cheaper when you split it with other people. When you’re flyering always have a jumper in your bag in case the weather suddenly turns… don’t make the mistake that I made last year where I was forced to buy an overpriced Edinburgh University hoodie at the only clothing shop open near me whilst I was flyering in shorts and t-shirt. And if you have mates in other Fringe shows, try and bag yourself a venue pass… it saves you money and you get to see some amazing shows.

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

Top three items I’d recommend bringing to Edinburgh Fringe is 1) a waterproof coat – boring, but when it comes to weather you never know… 2) comfortable shoes – you will do A LOT of walking. 3) a camera – try and document as much as you possibly can whilst your there. Fringe is a whirlwind and it’s over before you know it!

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Be confident! Even if it seems like someone is showing no interest in coming to your show it doesn’t matter. We had people come the show last year who I flyered and thought they would never come! And try to flyer in a group… flyering solo can be really daunting. Do it with a mate or your cast and you weirdly find a rhythm with it!

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

Give us a follow on Instagram @yes.related / X @yes_related and our Facebook page ‘Yes, We’re Related’.

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

NUTTY.

RAUCOUS.

UNPREDICTABLE.

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