In the second of our series of blog posts from writers and performers at this year's we spoke to comedian (and member of our Belfast Voices development group) about why she is back for her third year and how to make the most of the experience.
Mary Flanigan
How many times have you taken part in the ? When were you first involved and why did you decide to do it?
This year was my third performing stand-up at the Fringe, this year for two weeks. Like a lot of stand-ups, I was drawn to the Fringe because performers I admired had done it, because performers I wanted to see were there, and because I wanted to talk about comedy until 5am in damp Edinburgh smoking areas.
What are the positives and negatives?
The things that drew me to the Fringe originally are still my favourite things about it – the community, the atmosphere, the bizarre acts you might never see at normal gigs but who are out there and who will make you radically rethink comedy. The negatives are the flipside – to be at the Fringe is to be constantly convinced all of your friends are having a better time at a cooler show without you, that you are always about to miss something that will somehow be The Thing To See. And of course, you have the running calculator in your head of how much every fun chaotic second is costing you.
What considerations do you have to make before taking it on?
The main consideration everyone makes is how much the Fringe costs (brochure registration, accommodation, print, transport) but I would recommend first-timers to also take time to unwind, decompress. Try not to be aware of whether other people are making money and focus on whether your show is the best it can be.
Do you make any money from it or is it more about profile?
For me the Fringe has been less a money-making enterprise and more a comedy training ground. If you push yourself, you can gig more than 10 times a day and each gig makes you better (yes, even the awful, waste of time gigs you do to one unsmiling bartender).
What has your experience been like this year?
I used to be so focused on getting to the Fringe I forgot to actually enjoy it while I was there. But this year I took time to watch more comedy and had an incredibly enriching time intellectually (while having an incredibly enpoor-ing time in all other respects). If you’re still at the Fringe, stop and smell the roses – the damp, smoky, really expensive roses.
Follow Mary on Instagram @mazflaz