If you know anything about what we like here at TW Towers, you'll surely be aware that we are long term massive fans of improv of all kinds and are always happy to have an excuse to talk about it.
So, you can imagine that I was pleased to get the opportunity to talk to The League Of Improv's founder, performer and producer Damian Arnold about their new monthly residency at Underbelly Boulevard.
As you may know, each of the troupe's shows features an appearance by a special guest, and kicking things off at the new venue is acclaimed stand-up and writer Jake Lambert (pictured).
I spoke to Damian about what to expect from the show, as well as digging a little into how it all came about.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'The League Of Improv' begins a monthly residency at The Underbelly Boulevard on 18 Jul with special guest comedian Jake Lambert. For more information and to book see the venue website here.
If you've been keeping up with edfringe stuff in the last couple of years, then you may well be entirely aware of Lachlan Werner, who took the Festival by storm a couple of years ago with his comedy-horror debut show 'Voices Of Evil'.
A Philippe Gaulier graduate with award nominations coming out of his ears, Lachlan is back in 2025 with his latest work, 'WonderTwunk', and we can't wait to see it.
I arranged a chat, to find out more about this year's show, as well as the talent behind it, and his hopes and plans for the future.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
Lachlan Werner performs 'WonderTwunk' at Pleasance Dome from 30 Jul-24 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
Comedian Alex Stringer makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut this year with the show 'Happy Hour', in which she discusses her wild drinking days, what led her to rehab, getting sober in 2017, and then finally realising who she really is.
So some serious topics for an hour of comedy, but we're in good hands. Alex has been a finalist or semi-finalist in an assortment of comedy competitions in recent years, including So You Think You're Funny, Leicester Square New Comedian Of The Year and the Beat The Frog World Series at Manchester's The Frog & Bucket comedy club. Not to mention winning this year's Chortle Hotshot Award.
I wanted to find out more about Alex's career in stand-up so far and how she went about making a comedy show dealing with some serious life experiences. So I sent some questions in her direction ahead of this August's Pleasance run.
CLICK HERE to read this Chris Meets interview.
Alex Stringer will perform 'Happy Hour' at Pleasance Courtyard from 30 Jul - 24 Aug, find the edfringe listing here.
TW ROUND-UP: EQUITY V SPOTLIGHT, COMEDY SURVEY, FOSSIL FUEL SPONSORS
It's the TW Backstage Round-Up - once a month we select and summarise three key developments in the culture business.
This month, the legal battle between Equity and Spotlight heads to court; a second comedy sector survey is launched; proposals to ban sponsorship by fossil fuel companies debated in Parliament.
CLICK HERE to read the latest TW Round-Up.
EDFRINGE THEATRE PREVIEWS>>
Ways Of Knowing | New Diorama | 16-17 Jul (pictured)
Everywhere I look at the moment it's edfringe this and Edinburgh preview that. Which isn't surprising, I suppose, given the date. So let's see some theatre previews, shall we? Starting with this intriguing Underbelly-bound play about how we try to predict and prophesy the future, delivered via choreography, found text and live sound. Details here.
God Is Dead And I Killed Him | The Pen Theatre | 17 Jul
Well, that's quite a title, isn't it? Isn't your interest already piqued? This is the latest work from Callum Patrick Hughes, who won fans at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 with his debut solo show 'Thirst', and then won some more in 2024 with his next show 'How Can I Help You?' This one's headed for Pleasance Courtyard in August, but see it now, click here.
Desperate Wee Gay Boy | Camden People's Theatre | 19 Jul
Another one headed to Underbelly later this summer and another we have high hopes for. "Dive headfirst into the whirlwind life of Ollie, a chaotic but lovable Scot navigating London's queer nightlife - from tequila-fuelled dance floors to messy encounters with geezers on Grindr". Head to the venue website here for more info and to book.
EDFRINGE COMEDY PREVIEWS>>
Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings & Roundabouts | Hoxton Hall | 16 Jul
So, as you can see, there were so many blooming previews to pick from this week that I ended up with two sections, one for theatre and one for comedy. And here comes the comedy, starting with Nigerian stand-up Ayoade Bamgboye, who takes her debut hour to Pleasance Courtyard next month. Find out more here.
Chris Grace: Sardines | Park Theatre | 20 Jul
The very excellent Chris Grace is only doing three dates of this particular show up at edfringe this year, but there's also this London performance. I should probably warn you, this show has very sad themes despite being listed in comedy. Chris is doing other stuff in Edinburgh too - especially this - and I urge you to go see everything he's involved with, tbh. Book for this London date here.
Urooj Ashfaq: How To Be A Baddie | Soho Theatre | 21-26 Jul (pictured)
You should all be falling over yourselves to get to this show, I reckon, given that Urooj Ashfaq won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer gong last year. Anyway, she is back, and different, apparently: "no longer is she a good girl - a bona fide bad girl and edgelord who at times mentions sexy things and topics". Info here.
FESTIVAL STUFF>>
The Bridge House Theatre Comedy Festival | 19 Jul
If you thought there'd be no more festival related stuff this week after all those Edinburgh previews, well you'd be wrong, wouldn't you? And actually, most of the acts at this one day comedy festival over at the Bridge House Theatre are headed for Edinburgh in August, so this effectively doubles up as more previews, as well as being fest-ive. Check the banging line-up here.
Medium Dead | Riverside Studios | 17-19 Jul (pictured)
And now one from the Bitesize Festival at Riverside Studios, which I meant to mention last week, but I must have got distracted. Again, this is its own festival, obviously, but this show is also on its way to a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe's Zoo Playground. Another intriguing one, about Bennie, who writes suicide notes for a living. Click here.
The Ghost Of White Hart Lane | Jacksons Lane | 21-27 Jul
This one isn't on as part of a festival, but it was on at edfringe last year, and we tipped it, expecting good things, then our reviewer saw it and thought it was great, so we were right. It's the sad and powerful true story of a brilliant footballer who was cut off in his prime, and his son, only months old at the time of his father's passing. Click here.
FAB AND INTRIGUING STUFF>>
Maiden Voyage | Southwark Playhouse Elephant | 19 Jul-23 Aug
Well all I can say is, there'd better not be any ed previews amongst this lot, or you'll think we've got one track minds. This one's a musical and it's another show based on a compelling true story: "It's 1987 and young galley cook Tracy has just bought a run down yacht. Her plan? To lead the first all-female sailing crew in an ocean race around the world". Oh yeah. Click here.
It's Not About Coffee | Jack Studio | 15-19 Jul
A dark dystopian comedy, this one, and I'm really interested by the storyline. It's about two women who sign up for a sixty day trial in a coffee shop in Hawaii, but it's a mile underground. They need the money, so agree to working in extreme circumstances under the eye of a billionaire tech mogul. Find out more about it here.
In Defence Of Adventurous Mothers | The Glitch | until 4 Aug (pictured)
Another thing I meant to mention last week but that got away from me. It's okay though, because this show is on until August so you have plenty of time to get it in the diary. It's about Theo and Nancy, whose mother was somewhat of a legend in the mountaineering world, and who one day doesn't make it home from an expedition. Will they follow in her footsteps? Details here.
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