Fascinating Aida's Adele Anderson brings songs of disappointment, depression and death to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

SHOW NAME: FASCINATING AÏDA’S ADÈLE ANDERSON
VENUE: Assembly, George Square Studios
DATES: 1st – 26th Aug (Previews 1st & 2nd Aug – No Show on 15th or 22nd Aug)
TIME: 6.45pm (60mins)
TICKETS: £14 (£13), £12 (£11) plus booking fees
TIME: 6.45pm (55 mins)

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I graduated from Birmingham University with a BA in Drama & Theatre Arts. It took me several years to get my equity card. I did, just in time to successfully audition for Fascinating Aida. Dillie Keane and I have been writing songs together for over thirty years.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
It is a world away from Fascinating Aida. I shall be singing songs of disappointment, depression and death, not all of them as gloomy as they sound. I will tell you about the songs and why I chose them.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
This is a shorter version of a show I did two years ago. It was my first public appearance since a very nasty brush with cancer. The world seems to be going to hell in a handcart so, who knows, these songs may provide some light relief!

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Try not to drink too much and actually get some sleep. See shows other than those in which your friends are performing. (See them as well, of course). For performers, don’t overrun. The venues don’t like it and it’s unfair on performers coming after you.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
The funniest is when I sat on a stool at the back of the stage and toppled backwards through the back curtain. The most embarrassing is when I forgot the words to a song I’d been singing for ages and, no matter how many times I restarted it, the words just wouldn’t come. Dillie said to the audience “Well, it’s quite a depressing song anyway. Let’s go on to the next one.”

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Dillie Keane, obviously. Daniel Cainer, Sarah-Louise Young, Dusty Limits. They all write original material and know how to put it across to an audience.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I like to pee just before I go on. Then I stretch out my arms as wide as they can go, take a deep breath and remember that my audience are here to be part of the experience, so I’m opening myself up to what I hope will be the waves of love coming towards me for the next hour.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
Daniel Cainer at the Underbelly in ‘Old Dog, New Schtick’. I am singing one of his songs in my show. Also, my hilarious American friend, Paige Jennifer Barr, in her show ‘Death, Dating and I Do’. It’s on 13-18 August at 1115 hours at Venue 39, the Space on the Mile. I recently saw some fine young actors in Brighton perform a play about homophobia. They are starring in Shakespeare for Breakfast at Venue 34 at 1000 hours. I shall have to do some getting-up-early to see both of these.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the Fringe?
Because I have an interesting take on life, which is reflected in my choice of songs. I am known for making people laugh with Fascinating Aida and this is an opportunity to show audiences what else I have in my repertoire. Rest assured, you will leave my show feeling uplifted.

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