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!
Mama G: The Magic Bookmark
Location: The Den at Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14)
Dates: Aug 5th -31st
Time: 12:20
Price: £12 Concessions £11
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mama-g-the-magic-bookmark
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
The Magic Bookmark is a storytelling pantomime that explores the importance of including everyone in stories and how reading can help change the world. It follows me, Mama G, on a quest to defeat the evil Book Worm (played, on screen, by Edinburgh Fringe legend Katie Pritchard!), with my trusty sidekick the Magic Bookmark (voiced by West End star Julie Yammanee). Along the way share some amazing picture books, sing some brilliant songs, tell pretty terrible jokes, and indulge in all the traditional audience participation that audiences expect with panto. Plus, I will be looking blooming fabulous the ENTIRE time!!
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
I’m looking forward to catching up with panto pals such as Katie Pritchard, Tom Brace, Nerine Skinner, and Max Fulham. I’m also looking forward to seeing a few American comics that I’m a fan of like Guy Branum, and Chris Grace. I’m hoping to try out some new musicals too. So far I like the look of The Ballad of Isobel Gunn and You Never Know: A Song Cycle.
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.
The closest I’ve come to doing the fringe previously was when I co-hosted a musical theatre quiz with Katie Pritchard. I have also appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival for the last three years, so I’ve been on the periphery looking in! So I’ve got no advice for anyone, apart from find someone else to get advice from! I’m lucky that I’ll know a fair few Fringe old timers who’ll be back again this year. I just have to hope they don’t block me when I ask too many questions, or find myself totally lost and on the way to Glasgow.
If this is your first time – what are you looking forward to?
There’s a lot that I’m looking forward to! The Magic Bookmark has existed for three years, but I tend to perform it on an ad hoc basis. I’m really excited to give it a chance to sit down in one place and let it breathe a bit. It’s toured all over the UK and I’ve also taken it to the SoHo Playhouse in NYC, but I can’t wait to see how it develops over the course of the Fringe.
Ultimately, I’m most excited about experiencing Edinburgh for a whole month. I want the ups and downs, emotionally and geographically!
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
A large part of my audience is families, so my show is at 12:20pm EVERY DAY! That means I’m going to have to look after myself. I’ll get up at 4am, splash my face with cold water, then go for a 10K up to Arthur’s Seat (and back again.) Around 6am I’ll prepare an impossibly healthy breakfast, followed by a vocal warm-up that will also act as a major wake-up call for my housemates. Around 8am it will be shower and skin care, ready to put on a full face of immaculate make-up, so that I can walk to my venue a true vision of beauty.
I’ll flyer for a few minutes just to try and fill the final two or three seats that will get me on to the sold-out board, and then… show time. After the show I’ll meet my adoring fans, exhaust my final ounce of energy, and then have to find somebody to carry me back to my bad so I can get ready to do it all again tomorrow!
I wish!
My routine will probably start too late at 9am and proceed to be total chaos from then on.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
I have NO idea! Let me know people! Drop me a line on my socials!
Embarrassingly, when I’m an audience member at the fringe I’m usually dashing about so much trying to get to shows that my food habit is mostly ducking into shops to grab something I can eat on the go. Well, she’s got places to be!
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
It’s always the audiences, right? Personally, I think the best thing will be bringing panto to an international crowd, and even just bringing panto to such a big platform. There’s very little panto rep at the Fringe and it’s time that changed!
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?
When I tour or go on holiday, even if it’s for one night, I take a travel alarm clock that my Gran’s French pen friend gave me when I was going to uni. I’ve got no idea why it has garnered such sentimental value, but if I’m without it I am not at ease! The irony is that I’ve got such a naturally good body clock that I don’t often set an alarm! Sorry to brag!
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
I don’t even have the best hacks for saving money in life! Teach me! Anyone! Help!
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
You can search for @mamagstories on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube!
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
Panto. Is. Amazing!
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