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!

Madonna on the Rocks

Location: Roxyboxy – Assembly Roxy (Venue 139)

Dates:  Jul 31st -10th, 12th-17th, 19th-24th

Time: 11:55

Price: £13 Concessions £12

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/madonna-on-the-rocks

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I am a writer and actor who had a baby and now won’t stop going on about it.

Tell us all about your show!

It’s about… my baby!?! Well not really at all actually. It’s about making art when the world is on fire, about trying to be a semi decent parent and also a semi decent artist, it’s about rage and resentment, and generational self sacrifice. And, despite being all of that, it’s also a lot of fun.

We have amazing music composed in Berlin by Cameron Mackintosh Award winner Ben Osborn, absolute bangers inspired by Madonna, Peaches and Nina Simone. And all in all, it’s a dark, empowering and very funny way to kick off your Fringe Day, for anyone who has spent any time swimming around in a womb. Oh yeah, that’s you. That’s me too… Disgusting little creeps.

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

I want to see Crying by Lily Phillips, BAIRNS at Pleasance, Super Mama at C-Arts, a Minor Theft at Bedlam, FATAL FLOWER at Summerhall… there are quite a lot of mum-ish, musical-ish, comedy-ish things on this year and I want to support them all. Because having a baby is a mental thing to do, and it’s even more mental if then go and make a show as well.

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… but many years ago, before the dawn of time, pre-covid, so I think it’s all a bit different. And I’ve never done a show on my own before so it’s going to be different again. I guess it’s about keeping the faith. It’s an endurance exercise: physically, spiritually, emotionally. But we’re all in it together, and even people who look like they’re having the most incredible, sellout, five star superstar time are probably also feeling really overwhelmed and questioning all their life choices. Comparison is the killer of cool vibes, or whatever the saying is.

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

I’ve got 2 little boyos, so though I’d like to say it’ll be a morning of yoga followed by journaling, it will most likely be spent trying to encourage the toddler to wear his pants over his bum not his head, and scraping wheetabix gloop off the wall.

My show is at 11.55 so we’ll head down to Assembly Roxy early to do some flyering/ chase pigeons and then around 10.30 I’ll hand them over to someone vaguely responsible so I can warm up, get my costume on and get my head in the game.

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

Anywhere cheap and with some vague nutrients.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Seeing so many other amazing, inspiring shows and seeing your own show deepen and develop. It’s such a privilege to get to do the Fringe and to discover more about the show with every new audience. Oh, and meeting people and getting pissed and eating deep fried food.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

…the expense? It’s so messed up that this is still one of the only ways emerging artists can get anyone to see their work, and that so many people see it as a way to make money out of them. But that’s a rant for another show.

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

My bike, so I can zoom around. And a good pillow to make sure I sleep well. Oh, and my children!

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

Batch cooking, bringing your bike!

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

I’ve said it before I’ll say it again. Bike. And a good pillow. And blister plasters. But probably not children if you can avoid it.

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Focus. Targeting near to the venue a couple of hours before the show, or exit flyering a show with a similar vibe, if not the exact same content. Because if someone’s just seen a physical theatre show about death they might not actually want to see another one… But they might be up for a physical theatre show about… I don’t know, 18^th century basket weaving feminists?

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

@marierhymeswithgary on Instagram and TikTok. And the songs are also available on Spotify.

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

Beautiful, hilarious, BangingTUUUNES

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