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!

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TO BE FRANK

Location:  Bunker Three at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

Dates:  Aug 5th-18th, 20th-30th

Time: 14:05

Price: £13Concessions £12

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/to-be-frank

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Hello! Tell us all about your show!

So, TO BE FRANK is a non-verbal clown show, inspired by Frankenstein’s monster with a rocking live electric guitar soundtrack. We follow Frank on an odyssey of love and loss as he learns, with a lot of help from the audience, what it means to be human. It’s hilarious, horrifying and tender. 

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

Well as a Kiwi clown I have a massive bias for supporting anything from my home country as well as diving into the rich clowning/alternative comedy shows that Edinburgh Fringe have become home for. Always keen to see what Trygve Wakenshaw is up to, as well as Julia Masli, her HA HA HA HA HA HA HA was a massive stand out for me last year. I’ll be getting along to my NZ pals’ shows ‘Only Bones’ and ‘How To Art’, on at Underbelly this year, too.  

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

Hmmm, I came in 2024 as a Delegate from the Creative New Zealand international exchange to Edinburgh Fringe, and I gained so much from that experience. What shocked me was how deeply interconnected this event is! Sure there are 3000+ shows but somehow, everyone knows everyone else! So that’s definitely what I am looking forward to, connecting with all the plenty likeminded  creatives that’ll flock to Edinburgh this year.

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

Ok – so, the plan is. 

Wake up at a reasonable time, 8am, 

Have a nutritious cost effective breakfast, I am thinking porridge to pay homage to the land I am on.

Do a check of all my costume and props.

Likely send out a social media post and touch in on ticket sales and admin.

Then off to the venue! 

To become Frank through costume and make up and prepare all my living balloons (spoiler) is quite time consuming, I like to start getting ready 3 hours before showtime.

Then I’ll jump out there in character and flyer like my financial life depends on it (it does)

Warm up, which consists mostly of dancing like a maniac to James Brown

Pack in.

Then do the show! The best bit!

Greet my adoring fans.

Derobe and hopefully catch a show or two with some new friends.

Get to bed so I get 8 hours!

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

Himalaya cafe! Himalaya cafe! Himalaya cafe! One of the only places in the city you’ll find a bit of zen as well as genuinely delicious, nutritious and cost effective food. But don’t tell anyone.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The people! Cmon, it’s gotta be the people. By that I mean the opportunity to perform with a new audience every night for a whole month who are keen to see something special. It’s the fellow artists you rub shoulders with and of course, getting to work closely with my collaborator and all the hard working people trying to make Fringe happen.

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

Around my neck, I have a pounamu or greenstone, gifted to me on my 18th birthday by my whanau (family). It helps me stay grounded and remind me of the rich Māori  culture I have come from in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

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

Make your own sandwiches at home before you head out, and instead of a £7 beer while socialising, how about a £2.50 soda water? Yay for cost effectiveness and maintaining some sobriety throughout the madness! 

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

Here is the show’s instagram: @tobefrankshow and here is my own, if you’d like to see what other artistic business I get up to: @middle.mike Please follow this weird lil show from this big weird kiwi stuck on the other side of the world!

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

Because its Ridiculous. Alive. Electrifying.

Thank you again for all your support in reading and engaging with the website.

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