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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TWELVE: Going The Distance

Location: Dissection Room at Summerhall  (Venue 26)

Dates:  Aug 6th-16th

Time: 14:10

Price: £17 Concessions £14.50

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/twelve-going-the-distance

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Hello! Tell us all about your show!

Hi! Marisa f. Ballaro here, Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer of Ballaro Dance. We (Ballaro Dance) are super excited to make our international debut at Edinburgh Fringe this summer! TWELVE: Going The Distance is a really unique show; we’re thrilled to share it with an international audience at the treasured Summerhall Arts venue! Inspired by shadowboxing, the 47-minute theatrical dance work is set inside a boxing gym atmosphere and parallels the structure of a boxing match: 12 three-minute rounds followed by 60-second ‘breaks’ in between. 

Unlike traditional dance/theater performances, there is no backstage area for the performers to hide; they show it all in a raw, naked space – like athletes do. Characters are woven throughout the work: the nostalgic referee, a rising star, the ring girl. Movements are compact, punchy and, at times, luxurious. The work captures both the beauty and intensity of this dynamic sport and invites the performers to push their bodies to the limit: to go The Distance.  

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

Oh my gosh…hopefully everything and anything — as much as we can! I’d love to check out the other dance/theater works, music performances, and acts happening in public spaces! I make a lot of work inspired by unique spaces and view ‘sites’ as collaborators. I’m looking forward to seeing how Edinburgh is transformed from ‘city’ to ‘performance venue’, and I’m eager to investigate small, intimate shows in pubs and clubs, and the big, grand productions. I’m hoping to connect with as many artists and creators as possible! We love building community and I can’t wait to navigate all of the people and places this August. 

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

I’m a curious human so I’m most looking forward to being a ‘student’ in a new city, and learning the culture, food, community, creativity, architecture, and vibe of Edinburgh. I am a hands-on, experimenting kind of person, so I want to walk the city, eat the food, learn the history, talk to locals, and feel like we are ‘in Edinburgh’ for the two weeks abroad. I am excited to learn and grow, and to return to New York City post-Fringe inspired and changed as an artist and human! 

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

I anticipate we’ll have quiet mornings as we are performing at 14:10 each afternoon for our 10 shows. We are staying close to our venue so, thankfully, we’ll have a short commute! I am bringing five performers with me: they love to do their own physical practices so I imagine folks will go for morning walks, do Pilates, meditate, or journal upon waking. I imagine that will be a lovely few hours of independent recovery time for folks amidst the hustle-bustle of the day! 

After our show, we’d likely regroup and then head out to explore: see shows, flyer (which I’ve heard is a MAJOR component of the festival), eat(!), and connect. I think our first few days will be essential to tap into our routine and then we’ll be well on our way! 

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

We tour for performances and residencies regularly while in the US; I always bring a candle and a plastic foldable vase (for fresh flowers) that has a Monet painting on it. I am a huge ‘ambiance’ person and need my space to feel comfortable. To me that means I have soft lighting, good tunes playing, a candle burning, and some nature to enjoy looking at! I imagine for this trip I’ll also pack a few small photos of friends and fam so I can ‘bring them’ with me for the journey. I love to toss a fabric over the table or dresser for texture and colour. Little things like this help make a stock, cold space (think: dorm rooms) into ‘my’ space; one where I can rest easily, regroup, and do my best work. 

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

Find us on Instagram at @Ballaro_Dance – more info can be found on our website https://www.ballarodance.com/ . We always update it with our latest happenings! Reach out and say hi on IG, and we’ll hope to see you in-person at TWELVE: Going The Distance in August! 

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

Rigor of humanity.

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