How did Fringe go?

So, being authentic, I’ve started this blog four times and got overwhelmed as it’s a massive subject.

I did 26 shows of Ginger's Problem Area in 26 days - including open spots, this totals around 40 shows. I didn’t take a single day off. When I wasn’t performing, I was flyering, doing admin, having meetings about Ginger's future with industry people, watching shows and having drinks with friends.

Edinburgh is the single most intense thing I do, so it’s hard to answer how it went briefly…

I guess there are other questions which are simpler to answer though?

WAS IT FUN?

Yes, I made and saw friends who I adore, I loved my show, and by the end I really felt like the show had momentum. So yes, bags and bags of fun!

Aunty Ginger with some familiar faces, including Uma Gahd, Angela Bra, Daisy Doris May, Alex Mitchell, Jens Radda as Skank Sinatra, Dolly Diamond and Goody Prostate.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE FAVOURITE PROBLEMS PEOPLE CAME TO YOU ON STAGE WITH?

Here are some of my top ones:

1. The really hot gerbologist (he breeds gerbils) who wanted me to solve global warming so the shortage of gerbils was no longer a thing and then his job would go from part time to full time - I’m not sure I follow his logic but he was so hot I could have talked to him all day.

2. The women who had a sex party that got out of control, who then privately invited me to her sex parties on instagram… no I didn’t go (not yet anyway).

3. The one with the shimmying pigeon - I liked this one as I genuinely got stumped by it.

4. The women who had loud sex and got a letter from her neighbour in block capitals, which she brought with her to the show so we could write a response together. Epic!

WAS IT WORTH IT FINANCIALLY?

No and yes. Almost no one I know goes to Edinburgh to make money. Even friends who have been on TV tell me it’s their working holiday, which might feel mad. I have to take into account all the extra work I get from it to work out if it’s a break-even project or a loss. However, if you ask was it successful that’s a different question…

SO WAS IT SUCCESSFUL?

This year I consistently got 4 star reviews, whereas last year I had a combination of 3 and 4 star reviews. And I had an article from the British Comedy Guide that was everything I could have asked for and more.

I got assessed without invitation by the CEO of Adelaide Fringe and 3 comedy awards people.

I had an agent come and see me. Although they haven’t signed me yet, they have put me forward for auditions and are very much keeping the conversation alive.

I had an events producer come along that has put me forward for some corporate work.

Overall I feel I had a better show - my best yet - and what’s more is that towards the end of the run, audience members came back to watch it again as they had new problems to discuss. This is when I knew I was onto something. Wait, what…the show can be repeated?

It had a game show feel and people were racing to get to the stage with their problem for a chance to interact with Ginger and a custard cream!

I performed to over 1,000 people. I didn’t really sell more tickets than last year, but I did sell out one night and came close on others. I also grossed higher than last year as I avoided the daily discounted show boards that Fringe runs. Sometimes it’s signposting that your show isn’t doing well!

WHAT'S NEXT?

So the show will tour at least a few venues in the next year. I’ll also be following up opportunities with the agent and working on tweaking the show as it feels like a 9/10 in its current format.

If I go back to Edinburgh next year it will be with the same show, as personally I want to keep going with the momentum. It really feels I’ve found something that fits Ginger.

Being an agony aunt is nothing new, but this game show element where anyone can be part of it feels brave and different. It kept me on my toes.

Aunty Ginger in civvies, spotting her poster out in the wild.

DID ANYTHING GO NOT SO WELL OR BADLY?

I had a sickness throughout my entire run, which caused a lot of weight loss and meant I only saw a handful of shows. I’m dealing with it now but that was really hard and meant I had to spend more on flyerers helping me than I wanted to. I was impressed with myself at how I just got on with it - both mentally and physically.

However, all the usual stuff - such as jealousy of others' marketing budgets - did take its toll in some moments. It’s definitely true that some acts with teams behind them can achieve a lot more, but I shan’t be defeated and I’m very proud of me.

There are people who still don’t get why I do this… but bettering yourself should never be looked down on. Every time I see a queen do something new and different I cheer for them, because although the bars are wonderful, that world is precarious and limited. Not only in its technical capabilities (I couldn’t get my graphics played in a noisy pub for example), but also the fact that the audience are simply not paying to sit down and see you. There are some cracking venues where audiences are there for the show, but it’s nothing compared to when they’ve paid to see you. They’re more invested and you’re under even more pressure, not to just keep them in past the interval, but to make it worth their while.

WHAT ELSE DID YOU LEARN?

Shows with strong concepts sold well. Like the Shrek show, Swamplesque - it just sells! Not because it’s good (which it is) but because people like Shrek and they like burlesque. The cast had a Drag Race winner in it, who wasn’t even on the poster as she didn’t need to be... the concept just sells itself.

Returning shows sell well. People with limited funds in the face of an increasing cost of living want a sure thing. Is it the spirit of Fringe? No! But does it mean they’re less likely to regret that ticket fee? Yes! Shows like Murder She Didn’t Write (which is exceptional) or Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare have earned their reputation at Fringe and they’re making money. I respect that because they’ve built it… the only challenge is, how do you get people to take a risk on you when you’re selling your name and not your concept?

For me this year it was flyering. But the goal must must must be for some better pre-sales… therefore, growing my social media profile and maybe getting on telly so I can add ‘as seen on’ to my poster would probably help me.

The dreaded flyers... Aunty Ginger and the flyerers handed out over 7,000!

BUT WHAT TELLY, GINGER?

I’m working on it, so patiently watch this space! It has to be something where I can show Ginger's funny…

If you kept reading thank you, and if you have anything else you’d like Ginger to write about, please drop me a DM or an email. If it’s good, I’ll write a blog about it soon enough!

All the love,

Aunty Ginger x