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Eight Steps Q&A: Micky Overman

By | Published on Monday 12 August 2019

Comedian Micky Overman offers some tips on how to get the most from the Edinburgh Festival, in eight steps…

1: Beyond posters and reviews, how do you suggest people pick shows to see at this year’s Fringe?
Take recommendations! If there’s a performer you particularly like, look on Twitter to see if they’ve tweeted out recommendations. Lots do! If they haven’t, ask them to do it! That way you get to know about acts you maybe otherwise wouldn’t necessarily consider/know about.

2. What tips have you got for people trying to see as many shows as possible in one day – how can you power through?
As someone whose show is later in the day, I would say make sure you’re not laughed out. Sometimes a lot of shows is just too many shows. Make sure there’s still an anticipation and an excitement there. Otherwise: drink lots of water!

3. When people are reaching peak Fringe, what tips do you have for chilling out during the Festival?
Peak Fringe is utter dread, yes? Go to the Meadows and lie down, or go climb up Arthur’s Seat. Just do something non-Fringe to charge your battery. I hear you can take a bus to the beach! Do that! I’ll come!

4. What things do you think should be on every Fringe-goers Edinburgh Festival bucket list?
Take a punt. You haven’t had a complete Fringe experience until you’ve taken a chance on something. Either it’s good and you’re happy you went, or it’s bad and you’ll be happy you went because those are the ones you remember and reminisce about with your friends.

5: Beyond the flyer, what tips have you got for performers trying to get people into their shows?
Ask your audience to tell people and Tweet about it. Word of mouth is such a strong sell. The people that say “if you make a good show, they’ll come” are right. But it only counts for, like, the REALLY good shows. So unless you’ve made some kind of masterpiece, ask people to tweet.

6: The Fringe can be great for finding a new audience. What tips would you have for staying connected with that new audience beyond Edinburgh?
Depends how many liked you I guess. If it’s a lot, maybe start a newsletter? If it’s just one person, maybe start a new pen-pal relationship based on the fact that they’re the only one that truly ‘gets’ you (this is not based on a real-life example!).

7: Performing at the Fringe is partly about building a network. What tips have you got for people looking to make connections in the industry?
I have absolutely no idea, which means I either have absolutely no idea or I want to keep all my secrets to myself. But it is 100% the former. My best guess is sleep your way to the top. Go on!

8: How would you recommend performers stay healthy during all the Fringe madness?
Don’t drink. Go to bed at a reasonable hour. Exercise. But yes, no, LOL, as if!

‘Micky Overman Presents: Presenting Miss Micky Overman’ was performed at Pleasance Courtyard at Edinburgh Festival 2019.



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