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!
Diary of a Mad Man
Location: Roxyboxy at Assembly Roxy (Venue 139)
Dates: Aug 5th-17th, 19th-31st
Time: 13:20
Price: £13 Concessions £12
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/diary-of-a-mad-man
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
Diary of A Mad Man is a darkly comic one-man drama tracing the psychological collapse of a corporate worker whose craving for status mutates into obsession. Adapted from Nikolai Gogol and relocated to contemporary Ireland, the play immerses audiences inside a mind where professional failure breeds paranoia, rage and terrifying logic. Set within a mental asylum, the production replaces traditional diary entries with social media posts, where the pursuit of validation and virality drives a descent into paranoia and rage. At its core, the play examines society’s failure to properly support mental health, asking what responsibility we hold toward vulnerable people, both individually and collectively.
I feel deeply connected to this story because of my own experience supporting a family member through a mental health crisis and witnessing firsthand how inadequate the system can be. Eventually, the responsibility falls back onto families, and it can be overwhelming. You only truly understand how essential these supports are when you suddenly find yourself depending on them. I’ve always been fascinated by the fragile line many of us walk between stability and breakdown. Sometimes it only takes a few pressures or incidents for a mind to begin unravelling. There’s also a personal artistic connection to the project.
My first acting coach, Tim McDonnell, was a major influence on my development as an actor. He performed this play in 1989 and won an Obie Award for it. In many ways, this production is also a tribute to him and everything he gave me as a mentor and teacher.
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Angels in America. Ivo van Hove is such an exciting director. Krapp’s Last Tape at Assembly sounds great. And I also like the sound of Adam Riches: The Captain. One of the best things about the Fringe is stumbling into shows you knew nothing about and discovering something brilliant. I am totally open to discovering new shows. You often only find out when you’re there on the ground. The streets are talking.
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.
Yes, and the biggest thing I’d say is treat it like a marathon, not a sprint. Look after your energy. Eat properly. Sleep when you can. Exercise. Get out for walks. It’s very easy to burn out because the city is buzzing constantly and there’s always another show, another event or another late night. Really try and go see other work. Meet people. Talk to other artists. It’s so easy to get up in the bubble of doing your own show, but some of the best moments happen outside your own show. Enjoy every second of it. Getting to spend a month doing what you love around thousands of other passionate artists is an absolute gift.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
I usually start the day with meditation and some movement work to get myself going. Then always coffee. The day revolves around good coffee. Followed by a run or gym session.
After breakfast I’ll do voice and movement work, and review notes from the previous show. Get some flyering in, and try to connect with potential audiences, Then it’s showtime. After the performance, I normally reward myself with a coffee and a small treat before grabbing lunch, seeing other shows, exploring the city a bit and trying to soak up as much inspiration as possible. Later in the evening I’ll catch up on admin and emails, meditate again and try to reset before doing it all over the next day.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
The Milkman. Last time we were at the Fringe, we had a tradition of getting coffee and pastries there after every show. We only did 12 performances then. This year I’m doing 27 shows. That’s a lot of pastries! I may need to rethink the strategy slightly.
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
The buzz. You’re surrounded by performers who are just as obsessed, passionate and slightly mad as you are. There’s incredible energy in the city all month. You meet amazing people/artists, discover brilliant work and constantly feel creatively energised. It’s food for the soul. You have to experience it to really appreciate it.
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are Away?
Good coffee and books. I love reading proper books. I am a serial book reader and will have about 5 on the go at one time. A book for every mood.
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
Make your own food when you can. It’s incredibly easy to overspend because you’re constantly out and surrounded by cafés and restaurants. Also, walk everywhere. Edinburgh is very walkable and you end up discovering loads of hidden corners of the city along the way. Good for the head also to move and get some air and daylight.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
You can find me on Instagram and Facebook – @santaponza, Substack , as well as through my website – https://www.markmcauley.com/diaryofamadman
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