Today we let Emily Davis take the reigns and talk about the biggest lessons she has learnt from performing at her first Fringe in 2022.

I brought Blodwen’s in Town to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in 2022. It was my debut as a solo performer with a full-length show, and honestly, I was terrified. I didn’t know if I had the stamina – physically, mentally or vocally – to get through a whole month. I’d heard so much about how hard the Fringe could be that I arrived feeling overwhelmed, kind of braced for impact.

“…I’m not the rabbit in headlights I was in 2022 – and I want the audience to feel that ease too…”

In that first week, I barely left my accommodation. I didn’t drink alcohol, and still don’t when I’m up there – the adrenaline cycle alone is enough for my body to cope with! I surprised myself with how sensible I could be: swimming, regular meals, early nights, walks to the sea and the Botanical Gardens. I think that in order to survive the Fringe, you have to create your own calm – and your own definition of success.

I’d say that’s the biggest lesson I learned: you’re on your own journey. It’s so easy to compare yourself to other people – their goals, wins, reviews, venues, successes. But the Fringe isn’t a competition. You have to remind yourself why you came.

Now, in 2025, I’m back for my fourth Fringe, this time with 2 shows (the latest in the Blodwen series, Escape the Rat Race), and this, the origin story – Blodwen’s in Town, which has come a long way since 2022. That first run taught me how to pace it, how to listen to the audience, how to sharpen the shape and the rhythm. Since then, I’ve toured the show around Wales and performed it at the Wales Millennium Centre. 

At its heart, Blodwen’s in Town is a love letter to Wales, to hiraeth, and to the joyful mess of finding your feet in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home – yet. It’s about culture shock, growth, long-distance grief, and learning to laugh through it all. Blodwen leaves a one-road Welsh village in search of something more exciting, and like all the best journeys, it doesn’t go quite to plan.

“…I’d say that’s the biggest lesson I learned: you’re on your own journey...”

This year I have a little more confidence in myself, and want to give the show another outing now I feel I have more room to breathe. I’m not the rabbit in headlights I was in 2022 – and I want the audience to feel that ease too. I want them to laugh, maybe cry a bit, and leave feeling like no matter what happens, everything’s going to be alright. Maybe even better than alright.

Blodwen’s in Town is about keeping going when life throws lorries, lightning and landlords your way – and still finding time to have a cup of tea.

As one audience member put it: “Funny, charming and beautifully performed.” I hope I can live up to that in 2025.

Come along to see ‘Blodwen’s in Town’ at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Fingers Piano Bar – Finders Piano Bar (Venue 221) – at 5.30pm between the 2nd-24th August

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!)