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!

The Alphabet of Awesome Science

Location:   Udderbelly- Udderbelly, George Square(Venue 300)

Dates:  Jul 30th -12th, 14th-19th, 21st – 24th

Time: 12:00

Price: £15 Concessions £14

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-alphabet-of-awesome-science

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hey there, my name is David Lampard and I am the creator/director/designer and one of the two performers in “The Alphabet of Awesome Science”. I am also the creative director for That Science Gang — who co-produce this show (with NCM). I am a theatre creator as well as a science communicator. I have worked in TV, opera, cabaret, musical theatre and children’s theatre. Currently, I create ‘science theatre’. I’m one of those uber lucky people who can honestly say that their job is their passion. And while I wouldn’t say that the old idiom of ‘loving what you do means you’ll never work a day in your life’ is true — because running a theatre company is incredibly hard work — what I would say is that it certainly makes things a lot easier… and way more fun!  

Tell us all about your show!

The Alphabet of Awesome Science is a scientific race through the alphabet — where fascinating words inspire mind-blowing scientifical shenanigans. The show is performed by two professors — Professor Lexi Con (a self-confessed word nerd) and Professor Noel Edge (a proud science freak). Lexi has carefully curated a collection of weird, unusual, archaic and obsolete words — such as corybantic, nephelococcygia, and floccinaucinihilipilification. Each of these words inspire Noel to reveal a quirky (and often spectacular / and sometimes explodey!) science demonstration. For example, nephelococcygia means to ‘seek and find shapes in clouds’ — so Noel uses liquid nitrogen to create a massive cloud that the audience can then use to seek and find shapes in. Oh, and every show is different — with audiences determining the order in which each word and experiment is revealed. Plus, the professors are on the clock — with a countdown from 52 minutes. Will they make it in time? It’s an immersive family show full of carefully crafted chaos — an alphabetical, scientifical variety hour.

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

Unfortunately, the shows I don’t get to see at Fringe are the shows that I’d really love to see — other family shows! I’d really love to experience what other artists are creating for young audiences, but the set up and pack down for our show is quite diabolical, so I never get time to visit other shows during the morning or early afternoon — which, of course, is when most other family shows are playing!

The first week of fringe I always concentrate on our show — making sure it is up and running smoothly. But, during that time I keep an eye and ear out for shows that other folks are enjoying. What are people talking about? What are the theatre techs and staff talking about? I also like to wander my eyes across posters and take a scroll through the Ed Fringe app to see what stands out as interesting to my tastes (which are very broad!). So, my fringe show attendance is always a mix of things that I know that I’m going to love, and things that are a bit of a roll of the dice. I’ve seen some amazing shows just by ‘taking a punt’. And isn’t that what Fringe is about? Taking a risk, and seeing things that you otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity to see…

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. 

Yup! This will be our third year at this fringe (with the same show). The best piece of advice I’d have would be to talk to lots of people. Everyone has a different experience, and you never know what information might resonate with you and your show. And don’t restrict yourself to talking to artists who work in the same field. You will learn so much more by talking to a wide range of people — from tricks to best market your show, to the best way to find affordable accommodation (an increasingly difficult and vexing task!). The way we approached our first trip is now very different — based on personal experience, as well as conversations with other performers and companies…

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

A good brekkie is absolutely essential for me each morning of Fringe — because, after that, I don’t really get to eat until my show is done and I’m all packed up (so, fueling up early is important!). After that, I’ll walk to the venue (this year, that’ll be a 45-minute walk). I find this time really useful to get my head into the day and focus in on the show — eliminating other distractions. Then, at the venue, it takes me about 2 hours to prep the show (there’s so many ‘bits’ to set up). This is actually a rather calming process and helps me to keep focusing in towards ‘curtain up’.

Then, because of the nature of fringe programming, it’s a mad dash to get our props and set into the venue, perform the show, and then get everything out again. After the show we’ll meet our audience for conversations and photos (the absolutely BEST part of the job!) — and occasionally we’ll chat with theatre reps and presenters from all around the world. After that, it’s about a one hour pack up and prep for the next day.

Once all of that’s done, I’ll usually spend an hour or so catching up on work things at Abattoir (Underbelly’s artist bar), and then maybe go see a show, catch up with friends, wander about Edinburgh, or simply head home (another 45-minute walk — where I can detach from the day). The day is pretty much non-stop from 8:30am to about 3 or 4pm. Of course, all the audience sees or thinks about is that one hour show… which is exactly the way it should be!

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

Fringe is an expensive adventure, so I tend to prep food at my accommodation rather than eating out that much. However, when I do eat at fringe, it tends to be somewhere different every time. I’m vegetarian and there are plenty of fab food adventures to be enjoyed between the many food trucks dotted about the city…

Oh, and there is a coffee van parked behind George Square (near the main library) that makes the most incredible hot chocolate I have ever tasted! That is a very BIG part of my fringe experience…

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Meeting other artists from all around the world and sharing stories and experiences. It’s the absolute best.

With so many artists all converging on the one city, fringe is the most wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded folks — who are just as passionate about what they do as you are.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

The constant fear of selling enough tickets to cover costs!

It’s genuinely terrifying. Getting to Fringe from another country is an incredibly expensive process. So, remembering why you are there is vital. What is it that you are trying to achieve? Because making a massive profit is unlikely to be the reason… 

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

A pair of running shoes! Wherever I am on tour, I like to explore by going running. I am still exploring Edinburgh after a couple of Fringes — and hope to be doing so for many years to come!

Plus, we now have a storage unit in Edinburgh — for most of our set and props. I keep a couple of ‘homey’ things here — including plates, bowls, glasses and mugs. These are personal things that make me feel a little more ‘at home’ while away. Last year I also bought a plant to keep me company through Fringe. It really made me smile for the 5 weeks I was there… but it was genuinely sad to give it away at the end of the season! There was a ‘crochet’ plant I discovered in a fab little store at the end of my time in Edinburgh last year… I think I’ll buy one of those this year! Something to make me smile and feel uniquely ‘home’.

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

For me, it’s all about prepping meals rather than eating out — and pretty much walking everywhere rather than using public transport. Plus, both of these things keep me fueled up and healthy. As they say, Fringe is a marathon — not a sprint. It’s best to know that going in, and to set up healthy routines that allow you to perform with as much enthusiasm and energy at Show 1 as at Show 24!

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

Good walking shoes, a notebook and an open mind!

You’ll do a LOT of walking — so, it’s best to be comfortable (and watch out for the cobblestones!).

You’ll be bombarded by new information — so, find a way to record your thoughts and discoveries.

You’ll be presented by many new opportunities — so, keep an open mind and a ‘yes and…’ attitude. You never know where it might lead…

what’s the secret to successful flyering? 

We don’t flyer! It’s an ethical thing for our science-inspired company… We try to avoid creating waste. BUT, the most successful ‘flyering’ I have seen is from folks who can stand in public as representatives of their show — in costume, with props from their show, and organically engaging in conversation with people walking by. QR codes that people can access for more information are also a GREAT idea… (on a card / on a banner or mobile sign…).

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

Facebook — /thatsciencegang

Instagram — /thatsciencegang

TikTok — /@thatsciencegang

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

Laughter. Spectacle. Wonder.

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