Fran Bushe from Ad Libido talks about trying to become a Dolphin at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
My name is Fran Bushe and I’m a prizewinning playwright and comedian. I was once on a poster that won the Bus Shelter Poster of the Year award, so pretty big time. Ad Libido is my first solo show that I have taken to the Edinburgh Fringe, so do pop by Pleasance Courtyard and say hi.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
Ad Libido is a true story about me realising I wasn’t really enjoying sex and going on a mission to try and fix that. It’s all completely 100% true, from the extracts from my teenage diaries to the wonder cures I tried. I even went to a Sex Camp. I meant to stay for 4 days, but ended up staying for much much longer.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I suppose I’ve been unofficially working on this show for as long as I’ve been sexually active (but I didn’t take notebooks to bed I promise). I’ve been officially working on Ad Libido since the idea was selected last October for Litmus Fest at Pleasance Theatre. It then had residencies at Theatre Deli, Arts Depot and an award winning run at VAULT Festival. I think audiences of 2018 are ready to talk about female pleasure in a way that’s often been taboo before.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Comfy trainers for running between venues, climb Arthur’s Seat to get away from it all at least once (at sunrise if possible) and always carry emergency millionaires shortbread from Black Medicine Café.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
Probably nothing tops my trousers falling down onstage when I was in Grease at school. I probably went into performing to try and erase that one moment.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
There are so many lovely people working in this industry and it can be a very tough environment to work in. So I am forever inspired by all the people who keep making work and stay lovely.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I can be quite superstitious, so whatever I do on a day when the show goes well I feel I have to repeat on the following days. One year it meant eating the same sandwich every day, singing “Let it Go” from Frozen and telling everyone in the room I loved them.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
So many. ‘Really Want to Hurt Me’ by Ben Santamaria, Lucy Burke’s ‘Weird’, ‘Love Songs’ by Alissa Cooper, ‘Awakening’ by Empty Wallet Productions, Rob Auton, Alison Thea-Skot, Beth Vyse, Olaf Falafel….I mean I could just list the whole brochure.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the Fringe?
Dolphins are one of the only other animals that enjoy sex for pleasure. Come and see me try to become a dolphin.

Ad Libido
Pleasance Courtyard, Below
3.30pm
(1-27th, not 21st)

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