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!
Amy Matthews: Definitions of Toast
Location:
O’Neill’s (The Tron) at Monkey Barrel Comedy (O’Neill’s, The Tron) (Venue 51)
Dates: Aug 5th – 11th, 13th-18th, 20th-25th, 27th-30th
Time: 15:00
Price: £14
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/amy-matthews-definitions-of-toast
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
I find it really hard to tap into anger, so I’ve set myself the challenge of trying to teach myself. I reflect on things that should have made me angry, whilst examining some surreal and funny ways I’ve reacted to things in lieu of being able to get cross. It takes a light and bright and compassionate look at intergenerational differences, the experience of watching alcoholism and addiction affect people I care about, and the joy of being in my first queer relationship. It’s a show about detaching from old harmful patterns and stepping into aligned, joyful living. It’s hopeful and silly and fun. My favourite show to date.
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
Raj Poojara – Not only do I think Raj is hilarious, but he was chatting me through the concept of his show backstage a few months ago and it sounds genuinely fascinating. Lots of genuinely gripping and life affirming and nuanced autobiographical storytelling about his and his parents’ lives. He has the kind of comedic ease-of-tone that makes your mate down the pub think they can do stand but because he makes it look effortless. Likeability and originality in buckets.
Hannah Platt’s brain is a Tim Burton film of darkly funny world-building at the best of times, but this year’s show is about cults. I cannot imagine this subject being in more comedically capable black-nail-varnished hands.
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 my 4th full hour at The Fringe. My advice would be to record lovely moments from the day in your phone’s note app, and read them at the end of every day. “I bumped into XYZ and had a lovely chat about…”; “An audience member said the loveliest thing to me after…”; “I saw a crow watching some street theatre…” – any and all moments from the day that felt good or peaceful or inspiring. These little moments pile up throughout the day, and will inevitably end up piling much higher than the pile of reviews that stung, or the ticket sales that weren’t what you’d hoped. Measure your Fringe in content of these phone notes, not in stars and sales.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
I walk to my venue, get there very very early, because of my personality.
I mentally run the show on the walk to the venue, and before going onstage remind myself that I’m about to have fun.
I try and do one thing every day that’s totally unrelated to the fringe – a yoga class, read some fiction, go to the cinema, walk in nature, do an escape room. SOMETHING non-fringey. The flipside is that I try to see at least one show a day. I find it inspiring and grounding to see the breadth and depth of what’s on. It gets me out of my own head and gets the creative juices flowing and reminds me of what an amazing community and industry I’m a part of. I try and prioritise getting a good sleep – I’m not a big out-til-3am festival goer – again, because of my personality.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
In the flat! Being a astand up means so much travel and hotels and being on-the-go. It’s the only month of the year where I am in one place for 3 weeks straight, so I make the most of being able to cook. I LOVE cooking, so I can’t bloody wait to make some home-cooked food and take my time with it. Get to some of my favourite Edinburgh delis and supermarkets and see what I can rustle up. Some personal favourites are Valvona & Crolla italian deli, I J Mellis cheesemongers; Stockbridge Sunday Market; Rahman’s supermarket in Newington.
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
Getting to be playful onstage. It’s an absolute crash course where you get to feel the most gig-fit, performing every day. Getting to share your work and your brain and your world with a different room of people every day, all bringing their own brains, experiences, lives and worlds into the room with them, makes for such a connecting and stimulating way of sharing comedy.
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?
My favourite spoon and fork. Did I mention that the show also looks into undiagnosed neurodiversity…?
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
Don’t drive to the Fringe or get the train, or fly, or indeed buy any tickets, or any street food, or drinks – be smart and dust of that time machine you keep in the garage and go to Fringe 1997.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
Instagram! @amyfmatthews
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
Two big surprises…
Welcome to The Phoenix Remix 
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