Having formed their company Clownfish just over a year ago they have created their first show for the Edinburgh Fringe. Jo Tomalin talks to actors and directors Jess Clough-MacRae and Jonathan Tilley about their company and Sir david and His Animals. “The magic of David Attenborough live on stage! A blue whale swims through the […]


Jo Tomalin talks to Rhum & Clay’s Artistic Directors, Matthew Wells and Julian Spooner, about their physical theatre company, how they choose topics for their devised shows and how they developed and adapted The War of the Worlds from Orson Wells’ 1938 radio broadcast adaptation of H.G. Well’s sci-fi novel of the same name. “‘No-one […]


          Benjamin Alborough from Percals about Cream Tea and Incest and Ricky Riddlegang and the Riddle Gang. Cream Tea and Incest “Romance! Adventure! Murder! Aristocrat Eddie Spangler and valet Jeffrey must learn the meaning of these words and more in this new knockabout Edwardian comedy. Delight in their capers, mix-ups, and […]


From Japan, Masashi Kadoya and Keisuke Hamaguchi (wearing glasses) talk to Jo Tomalin on the busy and famous Mile at the Edinburgh Festival, about mime and physical theatre in Zeroko’s Teatime. “The teatime show by mime and clowning comedy duo Zeroko from Tokyo. The heart-warming performance represents the breathing sigh of after-teatime relief.” Listen to our […]


Storyteller and stand up comedian Matthew Fong has performed around the world and is a regular on the UK circuit. Jo Tomalin talks to Matthew Fong about developing his comedy, making a living in this career and BBC British-Born Chinese playing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. “BBC is the debut show from british born chinese comedian […]


Roya the Destroya, Phax Said Cheik Ahamada and Hello Shelly are three of the six international hip hop/breakin’ street theatre performers performing in one show.  Jo Tomalin talks to  them about their specific acts and how they came together to perform in FrontX. “FrontX shows a range of international street artists who combine exceptional energy and […]


Trick of the Light Theatre, from New Zealand, is known for their storytelling and innovative use of shadow and object puppetry. Jo Tomalin talks to Ralph McCubbin Howell and Hannah Smith about the techniques used in their latest show, Troll. “It’s 1998. Otto is 12 but online he’s 13 and he’s pretty sure he gets […]


              Sketch Comedy at the Fringe: Paul Levy, joined by FringeReview’s comedy reviewer Joe Angella, talk to Dan Robinson about Sketch You Up! “Comedy sketches that are observational and familiar but with a contemporary Sketch You Up! twist. Think Catherine Tate meets Little Britain and you’re almost there! Let […]


Jo Tomalin talks to Louise Hunter and Robin MacPherson about their new series of discussions and events at the Fringe this year. Already with a strong list of interesting talks (from AI to slavery, and much in between) with renowned speakers, they hope to develop EduMod in the future. Listen to our interview with Louise Hunter […]


Using memories and life events to create a humourous show:  Jo Tomalin talks with writer and performer Rohan Candappa about spoken word, developing humor and One Starts in a Barber’s. One Starts in a Bar. Being made redundant after several years  years in a job was a source for material that touched a nerve with […]


The Female Role Model Project: Kate Saffin talks to the creator, Tjasa Ferme

Tjasa Ferme talks about this ground breaking mix of theatre and multi-media exploring the science of the brain. She describes how the idea emerged and developed into an interactive experience as much as a ‘show’ using live neuroscientific monitoring and recording which the audience see and hear as video and soundscape. And volunteers from the […]


A Solo Meditation on Love and Morality for Us All: Paul Levy talks to Brian Joseph and Daria Roland about Normaler Than Everyone

              Paul Levy talks to Brian Joseph and Daria Roland about Normaler Than Everyone. “A solo musical featuring multi-instrumentalist and award-winning polymath Brian Joseph. Through his songs, writings and photographs, made while his wife was going through cancer treatment, Joseph presents a funny, moving and altogether original portrait of […]


The Silent Clown, Chaplin and A Goofy Testament to the Power of a Childlike Imagination: Paul Levy talks to Alex Curtis about (Chalk) A SIlent Comedy

              Paul Levy talks to Alex Curtis about (Chalk) A Silent Comedy. “If everything you drew became real, where would your imagination take you? A charismatic clown discovers magic chalk that makes everything he draws come to life in this fantastical one-man show guaranteed to delight audiences of all […]


Ariadna is a new production brought to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe by Alyona Ageeva Physical Theatre PosleSlov, based in Russia. The company explores physical theatre and expression of themes and abstract physical storytelling through outstanding movement quality. Jo Tomalin talks to eight members of the cast and creative team, including Alyona Ageeva, artistic director, Constantine, creative director, […]


Gig Theatre is a genre of theatre that is increasing in popularity. Jo Tomalin talks with Niall, a co-producer of Pound of Flesh Theatre Company’s contemporary spoken word play Fires Our Shoes Have Made at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Niall is in his last year studying Drama at Warwick University and the rest of the […]


Lifelong teacher and author Dr. Emma Kell talks with Jo Tomalin about how data published in her latest book How to Survive in Teaching: Without Imploding, exploding or walking away is included in TEACH, a new solo play about the challenges a teacher faces, written and performed by Matthew Roberts, at this year’s Edinburgh Festival […]


Georgina Russell, actor and new graduate from Manchester University talks with Jo Tomalin about her training in devising, what devising is and how to start devising. Georgina and a friend from Manchester devised this show – Life Between Yes and No – using creative ideas such as instruments to express feelings and emotion and how to express […]


Helen Tennison directs different genres of theatre – from solo shows to Shakespeare in the UK and  internationally. Jo Tomalin talks to her about her approach to directing, and how she collaborates on her latest project, directing Matthew Roberts in TEACH, at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe: Listen to our interview with Helen Tennison about directing […]


Kate Saffin talks to Jeremy Nicholas about… talking (in public)

Jeremy describes himself as the 11th most famous Jeremy at the BBC and has many years experience as a broadcaster and as an international speaker. Last year he shared some of his most colourful moments at the BBC. This year it’s stories of public speaking. He describes the show as for anyone who ever listens […]


              Paul Levy talks to performer and improviser Justin Brett about Showstopper! – The Improvised Musical. The company are back at the fringe again with their ever-popular improv musical comedy show. But what is the true craft of improvising a musical night after night? “Justin Brett (cast member) trained at […]


Ronan Dempsey wrote and performs the physical theatre new writing solo piece The Words Are There for his company NTH Degree Productions. He talks with Jo Tomalin about devising the show and reactions from audiences. “Mick awaits Trish. He stands in his little seaside flat in oh-so-dreamy Bettystown, Ireland: like that little town in Murder […]


Tara Lacey of Peppered Wit Productions directs, produces and acts in The Wasp at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe. She talks about how and why she started producing plays for the company and what skills she needs to be able to produce. “A gripping electric thriller, exploring the far-reaching, unexpected and devastating effect childhood bullying can […]


              Paul Levy talks to actors Nicholas Collett, Patrick Miller and writer and director Hyun-suk Cha about Black and White Tea Room – Counsellor from Group: Theatre Hooam as part of the Korean Season presented by AtoBiz Ltd. This was a fascinating conversation about translation, transposition and transfer of a theatre […]


              Gavin Robertson about Stand-Up Poet. Gavin Robertson is veteran live poet on tour Greg Byron. But Greg Byron Gavin Robertson? We called it an ‘Excellent show’. “Sardonic, comic, whimsical, sometimes just poignant or cathartic, but always ‘keeps you constantly engaged’ (Kansas City Star) delivering verses on life, the universe […]


              Listen to our interview with Christina Gulick about CLAW: The Confederation of Lady Arm Wrestlers. “Are you ready for some serious competition?! Welcome to the stage, the phenomenal, the whimsical, the international movement of Ladies Arm Wrestling currently sweeping the globe! Over-the-top characters, ringmasters, referees, musical intros, lights, […]


              Paul Levy talks to Brett Johnson, standup comedian and storyteller about Brett Johnson Poly-Theist. “Brett was a 21-year-old, married, monogamous Evangelical. Then he became the opposite. After sell outs across the US, stand-up Brett Johnson’s show about (non)monogamy, God and KFC hits the Fringe. ‘A uniquely poignant story, […]


              Two accomplished comedy writers and performers are at the Fringe with the Scottish Play in a Cafe: Paul Levy talks to Tim FitzHigham and Thom Tuck about Tim FitzHigham and Thom Tuck in Macbeth. “413 years ago Macbeth was first performed. 2019 sees the definitive production by multi-award […]


What happens when the glass slipper doesn’t fit? Kate Saffin talks to Michelle Madson and Lizzie Shakespeare about Bait: Kill the Princess

Described as a ‘savagely playful subversion of identity’ talk about the stereotypes of princesses that all little girls face and their different experience of growing up with those stereotypes. They discuss how the work developed as they explored whether you can kill the princess or whether she will always reappear in a slightly different guise. […]


Fourteen years of breakfast and short plays: Kate Saffin talks to Claira Watson-Parr and Billy Knowelden of the Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show

It isn’t always easy becoming a Fringe institution. Claira and Billy reveal some of the work behind creating and growing such a rare and valuable plant (with a total of 15 short plays across a rotating programme of three menus I reckon I can mix a few metaphors). This year sees the company take a […]


              Paul Levy talks to Carmina Bernhardt from Stolen Cactus about R’n’J – The Untold Story of Shakespeare’s Roz and Jules. “Juliet is double pregnant, Rosaline decides she does indeed want Romeo dick, but Romeo is definitely dead. Join Roz and Jules on an epic Thelma and Louise-style multimedia tragicomedy […]


              Paul Levy talks to Tamsin Shasha and Maisy Taylor about Everything I See I Swallow. “Everything I See I Swallow is a provocative examination of a mother/daughter relationship, set against a backdrop of shifting attitudes to empowerment, feminism and sexuality. In a world where #MeToo and #TimesUp have […]


              How do you make simple, accessible, quality children’s Theatre? Theatre that children love to watch and engage with? Paul Levy talks to Natasha Granger and Jack Faires from acclaimed theatre company Fideri Fidera about Ogg ’n’ Ugg ’n’ Dogg. “Hail Ogg ‘n’ Ugg! Heroes! And ta so much […]


              How do you put important History into a Modern Context Using Theatre: Paul Levy talks to Tim Marriott from Smokescreen Productions about Mengele and Judas, two theatre pieces that explore issues of important relevance today. Judas is “a political thriller with biblical bite. In a contemporary single-faith Middle Eastern state, […]


              Cameryn Moore brings three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe this year – is there a linking thread? Could it be storytelling? Could it be facilitation? Cameryn discusses her work with FringeReview’s Paul Levy. MUSE: An Experiment in Storytelling and Life Drawing – “In a world where we learn to […]


Donald Stewart talks to Simon Weir about Benny Lynch

Donald talked to Simon Weir. Listen to Donald Stewart’s interview with Simon Weir It’s always an immense pleasure to catch up with one of the most enthusiastic theatre makers in Scotland and Simon never disappoints. Following his hit tour of The Benny Lynch Story I caught up with him for over an hour of hearing […]


After a successful run of his second solo show, Canoe at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Matthew Roberts talks about developing his latest show TEACH, working with director Helen Tennison and returning to the Edinburgh Fringe, August 2019. Canoe is about universal ideas of love and loss through the lens of a gay couple who […]


          Paul Levy talks to acrobat Adam McMahon about Railed. “From the creators of the smash hit ‘Elixir’ (winner of Best Circus and physical theatre award at Adelaide Fringe 2018). Welcome to ‘Railed’, a western-themed circus spectacular, combining the trademark physical talents, finely chiseled bodies and hilarious comic timing of the […]


          Paul Levy talks to Faynia Williams from Brighton Theatre about Mozzz! “A highly topical, 5* tour-de-force from Festival Best Production Award Winners, director/designer Faynia Williams and actor/playwright Richard Crane. “A one-day-old male mosquito looks forward to joining the mile-high club. He invites you to donate a sip of your blood […]


            Paul Levy talks to performer Beth Hodd about Coming Home With Me. “A night exploring the grimy underbelly of a girls’ night out. The perils of creepy dudes, lad culture, and general unwanted attention face almost every girl when partying, so why aren’t we talking about it?  Using verbatim […]


Hosted by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and FringeReview, The Rialto Theatre was the venue for this annual and rather helpful talk, discussion and Q&A about taking a show to the world’s largest Arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. Alan Gordon, a theatremaker himself and wide man from the Edfringe Society joined us online along with […]


                  What are we going to do about the Arts in Brighton and Hove? That was the question posed by FringeReview’s Paul Levy and Brighton Spiegeltent’s Adrian Bristow. (You can read Paul’s thoughts going into the event here).                   […]


Paul Levy talks to Sam Chittenden from Different Theatre about Sary and Clean. “Different Theatre create intimate work with a strong theatricality. Past shows include ‘Metamorphosis’, ‘Sary’, and ‘So You Say’”. In this interview, Sam talks about where her ideas and creative impulses come from and how she makes her theatre. Sary       […]


    Paul Levy talks to Adam Potrykus about The Nordic Season at Brighton Fringe 2019 at The Old Market “Fancy some Daddy Issues from Sweden? Intergalactic adventures from Norway? Your most secret desires from Finland? Virtual reality theatre from Iceland? A performance lecture from Denmark? Or maybe some Scandinavian burlesque, dance, folk song, site specific […]


              Paul Levy talks to Lucy Pickering about Cellophane Flowers – The Beatles Revisited which returns to Brighton Fringe after sellout shows in 2018. “After a sell-out show last year, Cellophane Flowers are back. Alex Eberhard, Lucy Pickering and Rachel Myer will take you on a fabulous journey through […]


          Paul Levy talks to Naomi Paul about Despite Everything, Price (Still) Includes Biscuits. Naomi brings her acclaimed show to the Brighton Fringe after success in Edinburgh and around the UK. “Naomi Paul returns to Brighton Fringe with her satirical 4-star solo show. Enjoy original songs, topical stories and Jewish humour. […]


          Paul Levy talks to roleplay game fan and show maker David McIver about Teleport. “Come! Escape into the Kingdoms of Ashgorn, where you can level up, complete quests, defeat monsters and watch a very cheeky young man doing some really stupid character comedy. That’s right my friends, it’s another big […]


  Paul Levy talks to Luke Olfield from locally based Unmasked Theatre. Unmasked Theatre bring two shows to this year’s Brighton Fringe. Further Education is their own creation,  a winner from the highly successful Brighton Scratch Night at Rialto Thatre. “1985: Frank the miner likes doing his job and reading the Sun. Unfortunately, Maggie is after […]


          One Beautiful, Enormous, Historical Flat Pack? Paul Levy talks to Izzy Tyndall Bristow and Sam Rush about Brighton Spiegeltent at Brighton Fringe 2019. This perennial Brighton Fringe hub goes up quicker than you might think. This year it is as packed as ever with Fringe varety. Paul Levy caught up […]


            Paul Levy talks to co-author and director Amy Whitington from Gauntlet Theatre about devised theatre piece My Life Closed Twice which she co-wrote with writer and performer Joseph Hand. “After being diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20, Joe’s life becomes a cacophony of visions, voices and questionable media stereotypes. From the […]


Paul Levy talks to Guy Lloyd about his new solo comedy show, Guy Lloyd: Radio Blah Blah which premieres at Brighton Fringe 2019. Combining stand-up, storytelling, film, character acting and plenty of truthful reflection, Guy Lloyd talks about how he made this very personal fringe show. I saw a preview of this at the Marwood […]


FringeReview Interviews

Welcome to our audio interviews and podcasts. We talk to those who make and influence fringe theatre and arts.


Photo credit: Tom Giebel “Loo Zihan (Singapore) is an artist working at the intersection of critical theory, performance, and the moving-image. His work emphasises the malleability of memory through various representational strategies. He was awarded the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council of Singapore in 2015. This intimate interactive experience begins in the form of […]


photo credit: Camilla Greenwell Performance poet Jemima Foxtrot talks with Jo Tomalin about developing and performing one person shows and Above The Mealy-Mouthed Sea with Unholy Mess (UK). “Unholy Mess is an award-winning London-based theatre company touring internationally. Using performance poetry and live singing, they create bold new work about important stories of human experience that are […]


Photo by Tuckys Photography, Courtesy of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay Koh Wan Ching (Singapore) Director of precise purpose of being broken talks with Jo Tomalin about her background, developing her show and the importance of Movement in Theatre. “precise purpose of being broken is adapted from a collage of texts by playwright and […]


Photo credit: Mark Benedict Cheong Members of Bhumi Collective (Singapore), Soultari Amin Fared (Creative Director) and KayKay Nizam who both perform in yesterday it rained salt, talk to Jo Tomalin about devising the show with playwright Nabila Said and choreographer Norhaizad Adam. “Goodbyes are rarely good. And memories can be tricky things. Azman returns to his island […]


Photo Credit: Irfan Kasban Sharon Frese, Irfan Kasban & Ng Yi-Sheng talk with Jo Tomalin about  Ayer Hitam: A Black History of Singapore (Singapore |UK) A Fringe Commission and World Premiere. “In this lecture performance, actress Sharon Frese explores the history and influence of the African diaspora in Singapore. Dredging the archives, she shares images and documents relating to slavery, colonialism, jazz […]


Photo credit: Marwan Tahtah Hanane Hajj Ali, Artist, Activist, Writer and Performer of Jogging: Theatre in Progress talks with Jo Tomalin about her background, the development of her one woman show, touring internationally and in her home country of Lebanon. “JOGGING transgresses the Lebanese Bermuda triangle of taboos: religion, politics, and sex, and presents a radical challenge […]


   Photo Credits: left + centre – Courtesy of the artist; (right) Mark Benedict Cheong Nabilah Said (Singapore) talks with Jo Tomalin about her plays ANGKAT: A Definitive, Alternative, Reclaimed Narrative of a Native and yesterday it rained salt. “Said is a playwright, arts writer and poet. Her plays have been presented in Singapore and London by […]


Audio Interviews at Singapore Fringe Festival 2019

Here you will find audio interviews at Singapore Fringe Festival: 11. Loo Zihan talks to Jo Tomalin about the development of his Queer Objects installation and his new performance lecture Catamite, an interactive one person show (Singapore). Photo credit: Tom Giebel More here 10. Performance poet Jemima Foxtrot talks with Jo Tomalin about developing and performing one […]