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!

How To Kill A Mouse

Location:   Just The Tonic At The Mash House – Just The Snifter Room (Venue 288)

Dates:  Jul 31st -11th, 13th-24th

Time: 12:35

Price: £10

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/how-to-kill-a-mouse

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

My name is Alex Berr and I have a PhD (but I’m really humble about it). I started doing comedy while in Chicago earning my PhD (from a really well-respected university which I will not reveal because of how humble I am). I love science, but find most science communication boring, so I started a live show and podcast that combines science and comedy; it’s called Uncontrolled Variables and it has one (1) 5-star review on Apple Podcasts (I’m humble about it).

Tell us all about your show!

My show is about science, my mom dying, and killing mice. But it’s funny, I promise.

I was a career-motivated kid and grew up dreaming of being a scientist. I started working in a lab studying
brain cancer when I was in university. Years later, while finishing up my PhD in Biomedical Engineering, my
mom was diagnosed with the same rare brain cancer I once studied.

The show focuses on me reconciling my mom’s illness and death with the cancer research I was conducting. It deals with themes of burnout, professional vs. personal struggles, and mother-daughter relationships, and, ultimately, highlights the human side of science.

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

Terence Hartnett– he’s an amazing storyteller and razor-sharp jokewriter Rima Parikh– I’ve heard great things about her show, Death Threat, and I can’t wait to see it

Andrew Doherty– Gay Witch Sex Cult was genius and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with this year

Cat Cohen– how could you not?

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 did a work-in-progress of this show last year and had a blast. Go see everything you can! Drink water! Eat veggies! Take naps! Stay up all night!

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

My show is an 12:35 this year, so I will try to wake up early enough to eat breakfast and get an hour of flyering in before performing my show! Then I plan to make small talk with every acquaintance I run into. Once that’s done, it will be 2 am and time for bed.

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

Mint in Pleasance Courtyard!

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

It’s so inspiring! I love seeing what everyone brings– it makes me want to be a better performer.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Staying up until 4 in the morning then performing a perfect show at noon the next day

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

I bring my American SSRIs– I swear they don’t make antidepressants the same across the pond.

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

Seduce an older man to fund your food truck habit

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

Warm jacket, comfy shoes, and approximately $10 million

what’s the secret to successful flyering?

Talk to people who want to be talked to! Some people want to be left alone– their loss!

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

@al.berr on instagram!

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

Science but interesting

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