Fantasy Fringe

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Fantasy Fringe 〰️

*Anna Leong Brophy and Emily Lloyd Saini (right).*

We’re excited about the Edinburgh Fringe, but it’s clear it needs to change. A lot of people have a lot of ideas, but nothing has really happened yet. So we decided to ask the comedians themselves: in your fantasy, what would the Fringe look like? It might have been a mistake.

Emily Lloyd-Saini (of double act EGG, alongside Anna Leong Brophy) brings us this interview to help us understand the strict new rules imposed at this year’s Fringe.

All artists and industry professionals now are required to don sight-restricting blinkers in every bar, completely blocking out the risk of distraction. The controversial new rules at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival aim to maximise connection between performers and industry alike with a new way of improving the social, rapport-building aspect of the fringe.

Our intrepid interviewer, Wayne Chuddington checks in with stand-up comedian and Edinburgh Fringe performer, Chrissie Bobson who thinks, thanks to the new rules, this could be ‘her fringe’.

Chrissie, you’ve been an aspiring stand-up for 8 years now, do you think the new rule will help take you to the next step of your career?

It’s an absolute game changer. I’ve already made so many more contacts, sorry, I mean, industry friends. Previous years, anyone I chatted to post-show in a bar would be pretending to listen while scanning for a bigger name, or more interesting person which really hindered my progression. But with the blinkers on, they can’t see anyone else if I get in front of them, so they can now pretend to listen - whilst keeping eye contact!

I see, and do you feel you’re getting more attention now?

It does feel like it. I'm really enjoying answering peoples questions, no matter how vapid or disingenuous they seem. And they obviously feel obligated to answer mine too. It's good for the ego. And ego is so important in this game.

You look very comfortable. Can I ask what your blinkers are made of Chrissie?

Well you will see some artists around with the single use plastic blinkers that are offered to all performers, but mine are recycled bamboo. They give me a bit of street cred with other acts who, like me, share a more environmental concern.

Oh wow, so you made them yourself?

No, you order them online, and they ship internationally in 3-5 days.

Sure. I notice some of the bigger, more mainstream comics have been wearing leather blinkers, promoting their venues. What do you make of that?

Well, it's a little unfair. I mean I can't see them as I’m talking to you, which is nice. But the leathers tend to stick together which feels a bit elitist. They’ve also started the leather only bars, which I don’t agree with at all. Actually between you and me, I do have some ‘pleather’ blinkers too which have got me into some late night venues that bamboo just won't do for me. How can I reach leather status if I can’t engage you know? You really have to play the game.

I see. So, Free Fringe artists weren’t included in the distribution of the blinkers, so to socialise at all they’ve have been forced to make their own, some asking for fabric instead of money in their bucket speeches...and many have been fashioning blinkers out of mussel shells, is that right?

Yes, I feel so bad for them. Free Fringe is the heart of the fringe, what it’s really about and I truly believe it must be protected at all costs. So to alienate them as if they aren’t real performers, like they are part of a different festival, is so wrong. And what they’ve been forced to do, with the mussels, has resulted in quite nasty eye infections actually. And I wish I could help, but I can’t be seen with them obviously - not only because of the status, but also the tears, and the smell.

Now I have to ask you about the horses. The City police horses have become involved in the Fringe, with their new found acceptance into previously only human occupied venues, one even performing their own stand-up show?

Yes I think Best Newcomer might go to a Shire horse, Brodie Hayman, this year. Which is great, I’m all for inclusion. Apparently they just wandered into the venue bar, hoovered up 12 packets of McCoys, upturned a cider barrel, stomped about a bit and left with 5 stars in the Scotsman.

Have you seen the show?

I have. It’s really funny but also so poignant and it’s just amazingly brave. Everything is done without words because he’s a horse, but he also says so much. Like, it’s interpretive but I took from it that it’s a kind of anecdotal dramedy about never being allowed to see the bigger picture, always looking ahead but being held back, raring to go but never feeling like you could take off at full speed. I think everyone relates.

I heard he just stares at you for a while then takes a huge shit on the stage.

That's a rather crude review, but yeah, essentially that. I actually did something similar in my 2016 show, which was more my more experimental stage, but it didn’t go down well at all. I thought maybe it was before its time. But watching the horse do it, I get it, it’s all in the delivery.

And that show, Is it called ‘Why the long face?’ Haha.

Yes. You’ve seen it too?

No. So Chrissie would you say this blinkered rule is a winner? Is it here to stay?

Oh yes, acts are already encouraging audience members to bring their own and wear during shows. The only problem is people can still turn their heads while wearing them. So I hear next year the Fringe are making obligatory reigns that they'll try out on reviewers first.

Emily Lloyd-Saini is from sketch double act, EGG, alongside Anna Leong Brophy. They will bring their new hour ‘Absolutely Fine’ to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, performing at 4.50pm at Pleasance Courtyard Beside from Mon 14th to Sun 27th August. Tickets here.

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