Everything I would do if I were in Edinburgh for the Fringe

because I just want you to have the best time (and bring me, ok??)

(firstly, as a little disclaimer, I’d like to apologise for this not going out yesterday! I was away last week writing this, went to upload it when I got home yesterday and opened my laptop to THE SCREEN OF DOOM (an enormous crack and a black squiggly screen). The rest of Sunday was spent at the Apple store in Covent Garden going full Carrie ‘no I did not back it up’ Bradshaw, but rest assured I shall be compensating this week with some extra posts, which I hope is alright!)

Last year I went to the Fringe for the first time.

(If this is the first time you have heard me talk about this I am thrilled because sometimes I feel like it is all I speak about).

Anyway! It was a bit of a last minute decision (lord knows how we managed to book anywhere to stay which didn’t cost the same as a deposit on a small home), but after a drive back in the car one evening, and having not booked anywhere to go on a summer holiday- my boyfriend said to me- “Should we give Edinburgh a go??”

Fortunately the entertainment gods were smiling down on us- and somehow, just somehow, it all fell into place.

With Mike being a pro-fringe goer and me being someone who has always wanted to go (and in moments of absolute heady madness thought ‘maybe I COULD DO A SHOW*) it was an easy decision. We were very lucky with finding a decent Air BnB which didn’t cost the earth (AND had it’s own bathroom and kitchen), semi-affordable trains and with my, ahem, come-what-may attitude insisting that YES WE SHOULD DO A SPREADSHEET TO BOOK TICKETS, we were set.

During our three days there, I wrote down that it ‘is truly is the most awe inspiring and life affirming place to see and soak up the silliness, vulnerability and rawness of being human’. We saw everything from cabaret, clowns, comedy and crying (not *just* a show about crying, but lots of earnestness and soul baring shows) and I truly came away feeling blown away by the wonder of watching human beings. Its people watching in sequins. A glimpse into someone’s notes app and deepest WhatsApp chats with a crowd.

Watching so many people try something new, do something I find unfathomably scary and commit months and hours and days and years to creating something to connect people, bring joy in a tiring, dark and challenging world was a true reminder of the good that really can surround us and exist. That ultimately we’re all giving it a go. Being vulnerable, silly and wanting to channel our thoughts, feelings and beliefs into something that creates community and connection. To find meaning in the way we experience the world and hand out a thread that we can all hold on to. I’m not sure what was in the water when I went up, but it felt a little bit like magic.

All this to say, if you are off to Edinburgh during the month of August for the Fringe, I have one thing to say to you ma’am- and that is that I am incredibly jealous.

I JUST LOVE IT

With last year being my first time, I truly have no right to the jealousy or possessiveness or deservedness that makes me feel that I should be going again. Like a seasoned regular, Edinburgh graduate, professional comic, actor or in fact, resident of the city itself. But I am incredibly sad to be missing out; which in a sense, I suppose says everything about how brilliant it is. That you can attend once for a few days and yearn for it to become a regular annual trip.

Anyway! In the spirit of living vicariously through any attendees, here is a list of everything I would be doing if I were hopping on that sweet sweet LNER this week- I’ve also just seen that the brilliant Rosie (whose newsletter is one of my absolute favourites) has just written a slow guide to the city, which sounds absolutely dreamy and has covered a lot of wonderful ground- so head there for an abundance of local recommendations that would be pretty hard to beat…

• It’s not essential (I don’t think) but I highly recommend making a spreadsheet to work out what you want to see and get organised with booking tickets ahead. This isn’t very spontaneous or Fringe-like but for some shows you just have to book. There are some corkers, word gets out and it’s a shame to miss out for want of being footloose and fancy free (just this once).

• One of my favourite dinners last year was a cosy French dinner at Chez Jules, and I know it’s no secret but it’s SO GOOD. Incredibly affordable steak and frites and my very first Dame Blanche; which might be the most chic dessert there is. Imagine being able to say ‘I’ll go for the Dame Blanche please!”

• I’m not here to tell you which shows to go to because I know how everyone’s taste is subjective/completely varied but my god you MUST go and see Cat Cohen’s new show Broad Strokes. I adore this woman. Comedy and cabaret and songs and sentiment and what-the-eff-is-going-on and ugh, I wish I had a SEQUIN of this woman’s humour.

• Okay, okay I’ll make some suggestions…

• We saw Rob Auton last year (after Mike waxed lyrical about his previous shows) and it might have been my highlight of our whole trip. We laughed, we cried and this man has a way with story-telling that is not only life affirming but completely beautiful. (His newsletter is also wonderful, too).

• If I was also there I would also make a beeline for Bebe Cave, Ania Magliano, Nish Kumar, Stevie Martin (which I *think* may be sold out, yay for Stevie/sob for anyone not going) and the man, the myth, the legend that is Tim Key.

• But! On that hilarious note of very funny human beings- I must state that you must do more than just comedy. I love a laugh a minute but the Fringe has good stuff coming out of it’s ears in all genres…

• …which means you should absolutely see a lunchtime musical (we saw A Jaffa Cake Musical last year which I don’t think needs further explanation)…

• …and a late night a cabaret too. Fire breathing? OH GO ON THEN.

• One of our favourite places to see things is Summerhall, and there always seems to be something (or somethings!) wonderful there, so check out their programme.

• At this stage it’s a rite of passage but obviously go to Lannan Bakery for… well anything. Get up early for breakfast pastries, lunchtime sandwiches, after lunch. It doesn’t matter; everything is great.

• but do also go to The Palmerston for pastries/dinner too because it is heaven.

• There’s a lotta posters around the city in August so be prepared to be lured in by excellent typefaces and great poses. Go on! Be swayed by posters! We booked physical comedian (and….mime?) Trygve Wakenshaw’s ‘Silly Little Things’ because of his and adored it.

• But also be prepared to be deceived by posters too. Duds are part of the experience! Mike and I saw one show last year (that sounded GREAT and had a fun 00’s inspired poster), came out, looked at each other dubiously until I broke the silence by saying; ‘well, I didn’t love it’ and he said ‘THANK GOD BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU DID’. It’s all… part of the fun?

• There’s also much more than the Fringe in August and a whole lot of culture to soak up. It’s also the Edinburgh International Book Festival and my fave Jess Elliott Dennison is hosting a lot of wonderful humans at her studio, which I know would be amazing to go to.

• There’s also this exhibition which I was lucky enough to pop along too, which I can recommend!

• We also spent a lovely afternoon in between shows in Thomas J Walls having tea and lunch and it was a *very* good comedian-watching spot…

• Finally! Bookshops! I feel like I can’t leave Edinburgh without falling into a bookshop; from Topping & Co, Golden Hare and Ginger & Pickles (my favourite children’s bookshop)- you just have to!

*I know I am not qualified/able to do a show. This was based on one morning over breakfast doing a BIT with Mike which got out of hand and ended in 3 A5 sheets of paper with THE CONCEPT written down. But alas I will not share them, y’know…

…just in case.