So this is the first real Fringe I’ve done anything in since 2019, and it has been a festival of weird accidents from start to finish.
It started end of July when I broke my leg, and I genuinely thought I’d have to pull out of the festival. I did not. I kept to the show I had commited to, where I thought I’d just be a stage manager and just occasional have to awkwardly appear on stage every now and then.
Instead, I have ended up being a performer and stage manager, all on crutches, doing quick quips and CLOWNING of all damn things. The last 2-3 nights, that show has ended up with 30+ audience members chanting my name, and being recognised in the street and being heckled by audience members who have seen the show before. Tonight during that show, I led the entire audience in karaoke version of I Believe In A Thing Called Love. You had to be there.
Then earlier today, I got a message asking if I’d like to cover a show for the week as the original host had to pull out. Its supposed to be a showcase of spoken word/mixed bill sort of thing. I’ve done those shows before. Sure, I’ll run a week long show for the Free Fringe with 8 hours notice! What could go wrong?
It was short notice and no other acts turned up. But the audience did.
So I downloaded the poems from my old Edinburgh Horror Show, and accidentally did my first ever solo Fringe show. I’ve not done a solo show since coming out as trans, I’ve done a couple of variety nights but never a solo show. And honestly, I never thought I’d do another solo show again because of transitioning because of a fear of judgement/persecution/transphobic arseholery.
But tonight I did it, I did a full show an audience of 6 complete strangers. They actually loved it. People willingly put money in the bucket for a poetry show that no one knew anything about, 2 people cried (which is my personal hallmark of victory to make at least one person cry). I felt confident, in control, and felt like my most complete self for the first time ever.
(Also, technically that show was so last minute that there were no posters or flyers for the show, and I live local, so therefore have no overheads and have technically made a profit at the Fringe which is absolutely bizarre and hilarious).
Anyway, come along to Banshee Labyrinth at 8.15pm for the mysterious PBH Spoken Word Showcase where I have no idea what’s going to happen on until the moment the show starts and then come see The Ritual at 9.30pm in the same room for Extra Emilie in your life.
Mxcellany - Poetry, Music, Art 