Jenny Bede's Fringe experiences

Jenny Bede recalls her most embarrassing Edinburgh experience; what she can't get enough of at the festival; and the worst thing about the Fringe. Apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously….

Fringe cringe

The third show of my 2019 run was attended by five people.  One was my new flyerer, two were a father and daughter I mistakenly referred to as a couple in the first ten minutes and therefore hated me, and the other two were Louie Spence and his partner. 

However, I only realised that when I bought him on stage to be danced at badly by me. A professional choreographer. He was very lovely and fun about it, but I did feel like a bellend. 

The show also involved a conceit that I thought West End producer, Cameron Mackintosh was in the audience and later found out he wasn’t. Having almost no one to work with I endowed my flyerer with that role. When it got to the bit where I say, ‘Wait, are you not Cameron Mackintosh’?, he answered, ‘No, I’m your flyerer.  We just met outside’.   I wanted Louie Spence to spin me into the abyss. 

Fringe binge

There are two things I normally binge on during the festival:  The first is comparing myself unfavourably to every other comedian there and the second is cheesy chips and battered sausages from the City Restaurant. 

I’m not sure which is worse for me, but I do know which one I enjoy more*. 

Fringe whinge

Magic shows 

* The crippling self doubt, obviously. Yum yum

• Jenny Bede: The First Pregnant Woman in the World is on at Underbelly Bristo Square at 6.55pm

Published: 20 Aug 2022