Michelle Brasier's best and worst of the Fringe

Australian comedian Michelle Brasier is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe next week, performing her show Reform at 7pm at the  Gilded Balloon Teviot from August 2. Here she shares what she can't get enough of at the festival, her most embarrassing Edinburgh experience; and the worst thing about the Fringe. Apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously.

Edinburgh binge

I love doing really silly line-up shows with my best friends like Stamptown and Reuben Kaye’s Kaye Hole. I’m hosting Late’n’Live this year and I’m going to try to bring a bit of that vibe into my nights over there.  A feeling of togetherness where anything could happen. I just love the feeling of a ‘once in a lifetime’ ‘you had to be there’ night of live comedy.

Fringe for me, really is about the community. I keep coming back now cos I want to play with my friends. And connecting with audiences from the other side of the world is so awesome.

I always hang out and meet people after the show. Sometimes they bring me little gifts they’ve made and it’s the most surreal thing. Very good for the ego which is, of course, always ready to be cut off at the knees by a bad review.

I really love the audiences. They are so up for a laugh and so curious about new things. The fact that people still take flyers is so impressive. It gives me a lot of faith in humanity to see someone taking time out of their day to listen to someone try to sell their show.

Oh! And I have to say special mention goes to sitting in Union Brew Lab on a rainy day with a notebook, an oat cold brew mocha and the perfect sized serving of smashed avo.

I would never have thought to have a mocha - in Australia it would be humiliating especially Melbourne where I’m from where coffee is our entire personality. I tried it because the ‘cold brew’ elevated it in my mind and I have never looked back. Every coffee I have since that mocha breaks my heart. I’m coming back for you baby. Mama’s coming! 

Edinburgh cringe

When I was in comedy duo, Double Denim, my friend Laura and I were performing at this enormous, cavernous venue. It had a capacity of hundreds, but the entire audience was made up of one table full of drunk women who did not expect a show to interrupt their dinner and drinks.

We were instructed by the venue to get on their table and do the show up there. They yelled at us. They called us ‘Double Dickheads’ which was absolutely fair. The sound cues didn’t play and one of our mics broke. Eventually, they left and we just sort of stopped. It was extremely humbling and occasionally keeps me up at night which is helpful. 

Edinburgh whinge

Not enough dogs in shows.

Is it legal to bring dogs to shows in Edinburgh? In Australia, I have a Guide Dog ambassador dog called Eva and she comes everywhere with me so I always feel the biggest pang of lack of dog over in the UK.

If the venue says it’s cool, please bring your dog to my show.

Or just like bring your dog to me in the street and present me with the dog. Place a lead in my hand, I’ll take very good care of your dog for you. Meadows dogs are good but c’mon guys. Branch out. More dogs more places more often plz.

I did not consult with Gilded Balloon before writing this and I reckon I might get a call about it. So maybe don’t bring your dogs to the show. 

• Michelle Brasier: Reform will be on at at 7pm in Gilded Balloon Teviot

Published: 26 Jul 2023