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!
Marty Gleeson: Dog Ear
Location: Bunker One at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
Dates: Aug 5th-16th, 18th-30th
Time: 19:15
Price: £13Concessions £12
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/marty-gleeson-dog-ear
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
Hello! Dog Ear is a show about details, how much attention we give them in our lives, good or bad and I look at if we should give them all that attention actually. It’s a show full of flights of fancy, moments of heart, it’s unpredictable and wonderfully stupid at times because that’s life. Abby Wambaugh is directing it so it’s an extra immersive experience and feels very human but so silly too in the best way.
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
Oh so many, Paul Hilleard, Frankie Thompson, Li Jin Hao, Zoe Brownstone, Roger O Sullivan, Hasan Al-Habib, Sarah Roberts, Celine Kuklowsky, Jonathan Oldfield, Sophie Garrod, oh there’s loads and loads more.
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.
I did the Pleasance Reserve in 2024 for the month. This is where four comedians share accommodation and an hour so we each got to do fifteen minutes each and alternate being the MC. It was brilliant, having the whole month performing non stop really made a difference. I went with Rohan Sharma, Sharon Wanjohi and Sam Williams. I still don’t know who is who but I love ‘em. Because we were only there for the month, none of us committed to buying salt for the flat so that’s tip number one- buy salt for your flat.
In 2023 I bought up a split bill for ten days with Su Mi and France Keyton which was great, this was my first real mega insight into the fringe where we organised everything ourselves and flyered our hearts out to get people to come. In one show we had a full house but barely any of the audience spoke English apart from three people and randomly Jon Culshaw. I think they thought we were musicians because we each had instruments in our sets and used these to flyer.
Tip number two: Make sure your audience knows that you are comedians.
The year before that I went up for a week to do some spots and be a part of a competition showcase with West End New Comedian of the Year. I remember thinking wow, I’ve made it and it was perfect. I did three spots and almost missed the bus back to where I was staying because I underestimated their frequency. Tip number three: Make sure you know your bus schedule/ stay somewhere where you don’t need to get a bus.
Some other advice, see as many shows as you can. I think it’s more important than just doing spots, even if you only did like two spots and watched twenty shows, that’s better.
You have access to so much comedy in one place, it’s crazy, make use of it! Also, not only are you supporting other comics but seeing shows helps with your own creative practice as well; you learn the practical aspect of things like how they get people in, how they approach their room, if any issues arise what they do to handle them. Comedy is inspiring and a joy to watch, that’s why we started it, remind yourself of that. Also, for the love of god, bring a battery pack.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
Get up, do something not comedy related like walk or run to remind myself that this is a weird
reality that I can jump in and out of, make a loose plan of shows I might want to see that day but don’t over plan because things happen and someone might suggest something spontaneously.
Eat well oh my goodness, work on the show, be, do the show, try to not talk about the show but also will, maybe have a pint, go see other shows or maybe do a spot somewhere else and get to bed later than I said you would. Remember to drink 8 glasses of water in the middle of all that Somewhere.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
Mosque kitchen, all the other places are drive buy bits, it’s the only place I’ve actively sat down in. Stories the pie shop is class too actually and its 24hrs.
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
Seeing shows, your pals, performing everyday and becoming better, it’s magic. Also seeing what you’re capable of.
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?
My accommodation this year doesn’t have any kitchen utensils so I’ll bring a frying pan to remind me of home.
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
Make packed lunches and use a battery pack so you don’t have to go into places and charge your phone. I’ve also seen people bring a bike for the month and I think that’s incredible. Also download Too Good 2 Go to save on some lunches if you gotta buy out.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
You can follow me on a little place called instagram @martygleeson_
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
Surreal, funny and unpredictable.
Welcome to The Phoenix Remix 
Leave a comment