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!
Reparations
Location: Above at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
Dates: Aug 5th-16th, 18th-23rd, 25th-30th
Time: 14:00
Price: £16 Concessions £15
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/reparations
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
REPARATIONS is a sharp, dark comedy about class, obsession and the lengths people go to be seen. It follows Aisha, a petty shoplifter fresh out of prison who becomes fixated on V, a wealthy woman living the kind of glamorous, effortless life she’s always envied. What starts as admiration quickly spirals into obsession, and Aisha begins to convince herself that true healing might mean stealing a wealthy woman’s life.
The show is set between London estates, influencer retreats and prison cells, and explores social climbing, influencer culture and the dangerous myth that anyone can reinvent themselves if they just try hard enough. Aisha builds a fake persona and lies her way into elite spaces, convincing herself she’s finally becoming the person she was always meant to be.
Tonally, it blends biting humour with psychological tension. There’s a lot in it about jealousy, identity and performance, but it’s also very funny and chaotic. I was really interested in how dangerous jealousy becomes when you feel unseen, and what happens when someone truly believes the only way into the life they want is to steal it.
At its core, REPARATIONS asks: if the system won’t let you in, is it so wrong to fake it?
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
I’m always drawn to work that blends comedy with something darker underneath it. I love shows that feel bold, messy and socially observant whilst still being entertaining. I’ll definitely be trying to catch as much new writing and one-woman work as possible, especially shows exploring class, identity and contemporary culture in unexpected ways. My best friend is also going to fringe with her debut play ‘CRUSH’ It will be at Underbelly bistro square, very much looking forward to seeing her smash it.
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 is my first time bringing work to the Fringe, so I’ve mostly been collecting advice from people who’ve survived it before me. The biggest thing everyone says is pace yourself, enjoy the month, see as much theatre and comedy you can. The Fringe can feel like you need to constantly be “on”, but I think protecting your energy and remembering why you made the work in the first place is really important. My main goal is to remember how exciting it is to be at the fringe in the first place.
I’ve also been told to be open to meeting new people, making friends with other artists who are on the same journey as you. Some of the best moments apparently come from seeing random shows, talking to people in queues and ending up somewhere unexpected at 1am.
If this is your first time – what are you looking forward to?
Honestly, just being surrounded by that much creativity. There’s something exciting about thousands of artists all taking risks at the same time. I’m also looking forward to hearing audience reactions every night because REPARATIONS is such a live-wire show. The comedy, tension and discomfort really does sit very close together, so I think each audience will shape the experience differently. And with Live theatre every night feels so different.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe
I imagine it’ll probably start with convincing myself not to spend £10 on a coffee and pastry. Then spending the remainder of the morning flyering. Then at 2pm at the Pleasance courtyard (The above) i will do the show, which will lead to me immediately obsessing over how the show went afterwards. I will then catch other theatre, or comedy shows with my friends and grab dinner. Somewhere in between all of that I want to also explore Edinburgh. I’ve not really spent this much time away from home before, so really learning what this city has to offer is also something I’m looking forward too.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
I feel like this answer will probably change daily depending on how broke I am by week two, but anywhere that’s cheap, open late and close to a venue will probably become somewhere I frequent. I also do like to find a good pizza place wherever I am!!
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
The freedom. Audiences at the Fringe are really willing to go with you, especially with bold or unconventional work. There’s honestly something quite magical about knowing someone can walk into your show knowing absolutely nothing and leave completely obsessed with it.
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?
In general probably too many comfort items for someone only away for a month. But I decided months ago I would bring a matcha station, and bulk buy my favourite matcha shoutout to ‘Matchado’. I spend way too much money on matchas so I’ve started to make them myself and I’ve become obsessed.
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
I’m kind of the worst person to offer money saving hacks but I do know that trying to cook more will obviously make a massive difference and trying to walk more and not wasting money on transport if you can.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
You can follow updates about REPARATIONS and my work on Instagram @reparationstheplay and @maryamogarad.
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