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!

Kanpur:1857

Location: Beneath at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

Dates:  Jul 30th -11th, 14th-24th

Time: 15:40

Price: £13 Concession £12

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/kanpur-1857

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I am a Scot’s-Indian, non binary, neurodiverse writer and theatre-maker from Scotland who has performed all over the world including Delhi and New York. My work often looks at historical or mythical narratives and I love decolonising and queering the heck out of things. 

Tell us all about your show!

It’s an explosive satirical take of the Indian uprising of 1857 and specifically the events which took place at Kanpur. It features myself playing an Indian rebel who is strapped to a cannon and being forced to tell their version of events by a British officer (played by Jonathan Oldfield).

It’s got a trans love story, love, jokes, drama, betrayal and devastating storytelling. All of this set to live music from the Tabla master Sodhi. We have been super lucky to win the Charlie Hearthill (global majority) award with Pleasance and cannot wait for people to see it. 

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

Theatre wise: anything Natasha and Xhloe are doing, they are incredible and have three shows up I think and then lots of stuff at the Scottish storytelling centre, they have such good programmes and are so underexplored at the festival (would be rude of me not to shout out my other shows Green Knight: but it’s gay and Rajiv’s starry feelings).

Comedy: Lorna rose Treen will be incredible, I can’t wait to catch Kathy Manuria, and Nish Kumar always is a must see for me. 

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 is my 6th fringe as a performer and 8th working. My main advice is you can’t see everything, pace yourself and you don’t need to drink 7 pints every day. Take restful moments around your shows and get out of the festival from time to time.

Also not every show will be gold, it’s hard to go back to back for a month and the main thing is to just enjoy it, remember you chose to do it and that whatever is happening good things will come of it down the line.

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

Be up and about at least a few hours before my show, I’m not in a kids one this year so that’s going to be so much easier than usual, then make sure I’ve eaten and had coffee and set off to the venue.

Start warming up, no pints till after.

Do show as best as I can and then do some flyering and admin.

Then spend the evening catching pals shows and things I’ve been meaning to see. I try and see a show a day. 

Try and catch a pal for a drink and then bed time by a reasonable hour, it’s a long month and I’m 30 now, my routine is a lot more dull than it was when I started working fringe in 2013.

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

Nile valley cafe is my life. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

You get so so good at your show, and as I live in Edinburgh it’s so nice to catch all my mates on the circuit who I normally don’t get to see. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

It’s just relentless, the ups and downs with audiences, reviews, flyering, crying and drinking are so much even for the most extroverted. I’ve always said it’s one week too long and I’ll never stand down on that. 

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

I am lucky that I live in Edinburgh, but I used to stay on pals sofas when I was living in London. And I would make sure I had my journal with me, it really keeps me grounded. 

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

You don’t need to drink 7 pints every day or eat out every day. The amount of pals who are like omg I’m spending so much and they tell you through their days and it’s just endless drinking and eating out, and then they are like I’m so tired as if that has nothing to do with it. Go home and make a meal and go to bed early you will not regret it. 

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

Ear plugs, a list of places to eat and drink that aren’t fringe related and a good book. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Have a chat, don’t just stand there and hand out pieces of paper, if people don’t want a chat don’t worry about it and try not to take anything personally. 

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

I’m only on insta  really, (Tik-Tok was a bridge too far for my old soul)  @niallmoorjani 

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

It is explosive 

Thank you again for all your support in reading and engaging with the website.

If you want to help support the website then you can! You can buy Holly a cup of tea (and a biscuit!)