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!

I Was a German

Location:  ZOO Southside – Studio (Venue 82)

Dates:  Aug 1st -11th, 13th – 24th

Time: 13:50

Price: £12.50 Concession £11.50

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/i-was-a-german

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

I’m a London-born actor, and I’ve been kicking about doing theatre for many years. I inadvertently developed a specialism in puppetry and new writing: I’ve performed in at least 15 new plays, and I love being in the room helping to shape a brand-new piece. 

I Was A German is my debut full-length piece as a writer! It came about after I discovered I was entitled to a German passport post-Brexit, and then started digging around in my family history… 

Tell us all about your show!

Berlin,1933. Heinz – a young Jewish journalist – goes out to the cinema, and never makes it back home.

London, 2023. In the wake of the Brexit vote, Clare applies for German citizenship. But it’s Heinz’s citizenship, and he gave it up. How would he feel about her taking it back?

This one woman show tells two true stories, 90 years apart, exploring displacement, exile and identity in Pre-War and Post-Brexit Britain. 

After I applied for a German passport, I discovered my grandad wrote a memoir about why he gave his up! His story felt like nothing I’d ever heard before, from his personal shock as the Far Right took over his country, to his escape from the Secret Police in Berlin, through becoming a refugee overnight and being interned by the British. 

His story feels more pertinent every day, with democracy under threat around the world: it feels like a time to pay attention to the lessons from the Nazi era, especially to the voice of one of the many refugees whose warnings were disregarded at the time.

The show is extremely theatrical in the storytelling, and with thanks to past ACE funding I have worked with a very talented team of creatives to make I Was A German. I’d describe it as a playful, multimedia show with interactive elements and a Cabaret twist. 

That team includes shadow and light specialists Shadowboxer, who helped develop the shadow puppetry world which brings Heinz’s narrative to life – inspired by his own love of cinema. Lowri James, one of the co-founders of Shadowboxer is IWAG’s very clever director, while Arran Glass has composed a beautiful original soundtrack and songs. 

It’s a show designed to entertain, uplift, but also make you think.

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

Well I MAY be biased but I’m very excited to see Out Of The Forest Theatre’s Bury The Hatchet – the team is incredible and I know it’s going to be an absolute cracker. (Out of the Forest fans … you may recognise me from their Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III in 2023). I’ll also be checking out some other shows at ZOO venues…

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 third time! But first time solo – so that’s going to be different for me. 

My main advice is to pace yourself … especially if you’re there all month. You don’t need to watch every show (and drink every pint) IMMEDIATELY, or you might find you get two weeks in and your voice is hanging on by a thread. (Says the person who learnt this my first time in 2011, when I was more able to get away with it!) 

Try to listen to what you need physically, but also do enjoy it- cos the Fringe is the most incredible explosion of creativity and there’s so much to see and learn from being there.

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

I’ve always done afternoon or early evening shows, and obviously that has a big impact on how my day looks. If I’m winning at life, then my day begins by getting up and out to see a show before my own performance, in which case I feel like a smug high-achiever. 

More often I’ll  do an excessive amount of pootling around in my digs, and don’t manage to see anything else beforehand. 

This time, as I’m doing a solo show and producing too, I will definitely be pootling and catching up on all the life (and Edinburgh) admin! Then warm up – ideally in the digs, but I’ve been known to lie on the grass in the Meadows doing a quick vocal. Then once I’ve done the show, I’m usually starving, so it’s food, a drink with the team or visiting friends, and maybe see another show if I can. 

Unlike my first time in 2011, I will not be out making merry till 4am, but I’ll be trying my best to get early nights! My kids will be staying for a week – so when I’m with them I’ll try to take them to see kids shows as much as I can.

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

Last time – in 2023-  I tried pretty much all the food vans around Bristo Square, and can particularly recommend the Gyros and the Gelato! Also enjoyed some Wurst from a German van – I’m not just saying this to be on-brand, but the sauerkraut was excellent! Got to shout out the Mosque Kitchen as well – always good for a hearty, inexpensive dinner.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Oh wow, well it’s like no other experience as a performer. It’s not just you and your show in a venue – but most of a city taken over by a whirlwind of creativity. The buzz of being surrounded by other artists, platforming work that they’re also really passionate about is incredibly special.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Pacing yourself ! Especially if you are doing 4 weeks and only 1 day off. Rest and vocalzones are your friend. And just take yourself off to the cinema or something non-Fringe related to chill out sometimes, especially if you start to feel overwhelmed.

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

An extra pillow – a really big fat squishy one. And I’m thinking about bringing a mattress topper too. Because I’m in my 40s and I spend my time thinking about things like mattress toppers now.

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

Try not to spend all your money on Gyros and Gelato from the food vans (note to self…)! Try to make your own food in your digs as much as possible. And if you have a pass from a venue that lets you catch other shows in the same venue for free – do it! It’s incredible to get all that free theatre and comedy. Also – check out the Free Fringe. 

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

Vocalzones, Tupperware (so you can carry food you pre-prepped, and not buy more Gyros…), enough pants and socks that you don’t need to do laundry too often.

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

Insta- @iwasagermantheplay Facebook I Was A German

BLUESKY – @clarefraenkel.bsky.social

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

I’m going to sum up how it’ll make you feel: moved, thoughtful and joyous. 

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