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!

Jamie MacDonald: Toxic Bastard

Location:   Dram – Gilded Balloon Patter House (Venue 24)

Dates:  Aug 15th -24th

Time: 16:15

Price: £15 Concessions £14

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-macdonald-toxic-bastard

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I am a stand up from Glasgow. Been in the game for 12 years. I suppose my USP is that I’m blind but that
isn’t so impressive any more as I don’t have a dancing trophy to go with it! My biggest achievement to date
was winning a Grierson award in 2022 for my BBC 2 documentary ‘Blind Ambition’. Biggest gig to date has
to be Live at the Apollo which was an awesome experience.

Tell us all about your show!

As a white, middle-class, straight male with an ok career I fit the current stereotype of a loathsome, over-
privileged, toxic bastard. However,  purely because I’m blind , I’m constantly told I’m a role model.

FYI, I’m not toxic. But surely I should have the choice to be without people continually telling me I’m lovely??

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

Marjolein Robertson, Rosy Jones, Show Stoppers and Stephen Buchanan

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.
This will be my 8 th run in Edinburgh. The only advice to people coming for the first time is that it’s a tough old slog. It’s really a massive comedy trade show so try and get yourself in front of as many folk as possible and
get them to come to your show. Don’t try and make any money. This is where heart break lies.

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

I’d love to say I get up dead early and go for a sea swim before tucking into a healthy breakfast. The truth is I wake up with the taste of whatever van sold me my beer snack at 4 in the morning. I’ll have a pint of water.

A word with myself that this type of excess isn’t sustainable. Check my emails and then try and catch up with someone for a coffee or some lunch. Then I’ll get my head in the game and go and do my show. I repeat this for the run.

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

I like to try and get out of the mayhem that is the Old Town. There’s a cracking pub in the New Town called the Cumberland bar. Nice food and a great beer garden on a Sunny day

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The best bit about performing is not having a clue who’s coming to the show. Edinburgh is so international
so it’s always fun when a group of tourists rock up, especially if they struggle with my Scottish accent and
just decide to laugh at any point regardless of punchline.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

It’s pretty much totally inaccessible for disabled acts so getting to and from venues is both a pain and pretty
dangerous

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

Try not to eat every meal from a van. Although they are many and delicious

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

A thick skin, robust liver and can do attitude

what’s the secret to successful flyering?

Don’t try and get rid of as many flyers as you can. Engaging with punters, giving them a bit of time, tends to get better results when it comes to ticket sales.

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

Insta, X, Face book and my site http://www.jamiemacdonaldcomedian.com

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

Air conditioned venue !!

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