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!

Douglas Widick: Paperclip

Location:   The Penny – Gilded Balloon Patter House (Venue 24)

Dates:  Jul 30th -18th, 20th-25th

Time: 22:20

Price: £11.50 Concessions £10.50

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/douglas-widick-paperclip

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi! I’m a scottie dog obsessed musical comedian based in Brooklyn who would drop everything to intern for Ina Garten. I love a cold water surf and binging shows with my wife while mainlining lightly buttered (but heavily salted) popcorn. 

Tell us all about your show!

Paperclip is a redemption story about the oft-maligned Clippy of Microsoft Word infamy. My guiding question was “What if that crappy little paperclip ended up saving the world?”. My director, Sarah, and I entertained some truly strange ideas, and wrote down all the ones we couldn’t live without. 

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

I’m 0 for 2 with Sarah Keyworth tickets…as my dog was sick last time Sarah was in Brooklyn, and I couldn’t get a fringe ticket for them last year if my life depended on it.  I plan on seeing Furiozo & MC Hammersmith again, but I’m dying to see some Irish clowns. 

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. 

I’ve never performed at the Fringe before! I always had an excuse for not coming in the past, even though I was aware of its many splendours. I finally got sick of people waxing poetic to me about it and went last year just as a spectator. I saw 29 shows in 6 days and ate more haggis that should be legally permissible. 

Many seasoned folks I’ve spoken to have told me to make one or two very specific goals, and avoid any other metrics, so as not to get too bogged down in numbers & indicators during the festival. 

If this is your first time – what are you looking forward to?

There is a freedom that UK and European performers have, specifically those with a physical theatre background, that blows me away. I want to lap as much of that up as possible.

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

9am – I plan on immediately imbibing multiple sources of caffeine at once. The UK doesn’t have many iced coffee options so I’ll probably make a vat of cold brew.

9:30am – Call my wife so we can tell each other everything we’ve eaten in the last 24 hours in excruciating detail. 

10am – I have this delusion of regularly hiking Arthur’s seat, but every day there will be some sort of morning stroll or exercise so I can stay loose for the show.

10:15am – 1st Vocalization. This is what we call “getting the cobwebs off.”

11am –  immediately start looking around Edinburgh for a scottie or a westie that fill the terrier shaped hole in my heart while I’m away from mine.

12pm – See a show! When at Fringe 🙂

1:30pm – LUNCH

3pm – See another show or relax so I can pace myself

6pm – Dinner

8pm – See a second show

9pm – 2nd vocalization – Game time baby!

10:20 – somehow cram 1000’s of adoring fans into a 50 seat theater for a performance Paperclip!

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

Besides that hot donut stand in George square? I had an awesome meal at White Horse and plan on eating there again. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

 The energy of the people descending upon Edinburgh is infectious. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

This will be my first time, but I’m anticipating the marathon of it all. 

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

Besides my joi de vivre? I’ll probably be bringing a pillow that is perfectly calibrated to my neck. 

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

The meat pocket at Greg’s is very cost effective and filling!

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

1.a portable phone charger 

2. A water bottle 

3. two pairs of your favorite sneakers. 

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Being adorably dressed as a paperclip. If you don’t have that, equanimity. 

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

You can follow me on instagram, @douglaswidick if ya nasty!

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

Turing Time Travels.

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