t 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!

Jumper Bumps

Location:   Gilded Balloon – Ruby (Venue 140)

Dates:  30th July – 11th Aug, 13th-18th, 20th-24th

Time: 16:20

Price: £12 Concessions £11

Ticket Link: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5572/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello! I’m Amelia Rodger but go by Millie and I’m an actor originally from Perth in Scotland. I guess I have to say writer too now but that feels funny. 

Tell us all about your show!

I don’t think I should struggle with this question as much as I do, maybe because I’m so close to it and it’s hard to condense something so broad but I didn’t really sit down with any clear intentions when I started writing Jumper Bumps. It was a sort of three day writing bender, just getting stuff out of my brain and onto paper (well a screen, I didn’t hand write this). In a nutshell, it’s a two hander.

A comedy / drama play focusing on the erasure of women’s voices. Looking at what it means to be a woman in a male dominated world and it tackles themes such as female friendship, coercive relationships and a women’s right to chose. 

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

I’ve not done an extensive list yet but off the top of my head I’m very excited for… Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space by Briony Martha & Zak Reay-Barry, PALS by Mirren Wilson, R/Conspiracy by Ella Hällgren, Homo(sapien) by Conor O’Dwyer… I’m missing out loads but these  are some I’ll definitely be seeing. 

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. 

I have performed at the Fringe before as an actor, last year. But this is my first time writing and performing. 

Advice I’ve been given is look after your voice!  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Lots of water, lots of lemon & honey and make sure you do a vocal warm up before getting on stage.I was commuting last year via the train so I tried to prioritise yoga and daily stretching just so I didn’t resemble a piece of crumbled cardboard on stage. 

This all sounds very preachy, basically take care of yourself because it’s taxing but also have fun! Immerse yourself in the buzz, it can be super overwhelming so don’t push yourself to be non stop but try and soak it all up. Doing things not Fringe related, i.e. a bit of sightseeing can be a nice way to breakup the chaos but equally make friends with as many performers / creatives as possible because venue passes save you a lot of money when seeing shows! 

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

I’ll be working my muggle job every morning, commuting through and getting to the venue before the show hopefully with enough time to stretch, warm up vocally and get into a calm head space. I think it’s all in the prep work, I need to prioritise sleep otherwise I just won’t function. 

I wish I had a step by step but I don’t, I kinda wing it. Fringe is honestly a whirlwind blur and I just try to make it through in one piece! 

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

There’s so many nice pop ups but Edinburgh has no shortage of amazing places to eat. I personally love Wahacha, I know it’s a chain but it’s such a great place to relax and refuel after a show. And the guacamole is 10/10. Is it bad I want to keep my other favourites top secret? 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

It’s electric. You can’t help but feel part of something much bigger than you. It’s a really special experience. Exhausting and terrifying but it’s a real chance to experiment and play on stage in front of a live audience every day and that opportunity can feel like gold dust a lot of the time. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

For me it’s imposter syndrome and I feel that’s doubled this year because I’m sharing my work not just as an actor but as a writer too.  I also burn out quite easily so it’s hard to not overfill my schedule with seeing friends, abusing my venue pass on discounted drinks and trying to see a show every five minutes. You can wing it but I feel an element of planning would maybe make things flow a little easier.

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

Perth to Edinburgh isn’t so bad but I always have my phone so my parents and pals are never far away with their last minute advice and words of encouragement. 

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

I am not the person to ask. I am perpetually skint. 

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

Water bottle, ideally with a straw. Deodorant, it’s a workout. Hmmmmmmm, openness – you never know what each day will bring. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

I think knowing your audience. Don’t just hound people and don’t just throw your flyer into someone’s face.. Try and connect, have a conversation, sell the show. You’ve put in a lot of work to get to the Fringe, drum up excitement. Also, sometimes you do need to just swallow your pride and get loud to get noticed but in a non combative way. 

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

We’re on Instagram as jumperbumps_theplay

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

Current. Important. Heartwarming. 

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