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!

Space Hippo

Location:   Underbelly, Cowgate – Big Belly (Venue 61)

Dates:  Aug 1st-18th, 20th-24th

Time: 12:30

Price: £12 Concessions £11

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/space-hippo

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello. I’m Seri Yanai. I’m a Japanese visual artist and theatre director who designed the hundreds of shadow puppets used in Space Hippo. I work with my partner Daniel who wrote the show. The two of us perform all the puppetry in our show together, doing all the voices. I also designed the paper puppets for the show Shunga Alert which I painted in a traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e style.

Tell us all about your show!

Space Hippo is an epic science fiction adventure story told with hundreds of shadow puppets projected onto a large screen. Using original music, colorful shadows and silly voices, two puppeteers create a cinematic live animated movie before your eyes. 

The story is about an ordinary hippopotamus going on an epic adventure through the universe.

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

We like to look for the weirdest shows we can find. Other puppet shows, clown, experimental theatre. We’re also looking forward to seeing Theatre Group Gumbo’s crazy physical comedy show “Are you Lovin’ It?” We collaborated with Gumbo on our other show Shunga Alert.

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 our fourth time in Edinburgh Fringe. Our advice is Don’t be too hard on yourself and give yourself time to get used to everything. It can take some time to get into the flow of things when you’re new to Fringe.

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

Wake up. Coffee and Duolingo. Perform our show. Take a nap. Flyer. Go see some other shows. Make a new friend. Try to experience at least one new thing in Edinburgh. Have a pint or two. Go to bed.

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

We have been on multi-year mission to try the food at every pub in Edinburgh. We haven’t even come close to reaching the goal yet. Maybe this will be our year.

Best thing about performing at the fringe? 

Performing at the Fringe teaches you how to become a better artist in every way. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Returning to normal life once it’s all over.

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

With a good travel pillow, a towel and an aeropress, we can feel at home anywhere.

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

Offer other artists complimentary tickets for your show and they will do the same in kind.

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

Rain jacket. Extra pair of shoes. Reusable shopping bag.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Have several cups of coffee before you go flyering. We learned that from legendary Fringe performer Jem Rolls.

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

instagram.com/mochinoshapuppet

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

Hilarious. Cosmic. Puppetry.

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