Brilliantly energetic all-female sketch group Lady Garden have emerged as one of the top rated new acts on the circuit. Emma caught up with the girls ahead of their new Fringe show.
So, your show is called Top Secret Gig, can you give us any clues as to what we can expect?
It's top secret so expect surprises. We can say no more.
We last spoke to you over a year ago. What is the most exciting thing you’ve been up to since then?
We've all had our hair cut. And Beattie learnt how to drive so now she drives us everywhere in the Lady Wagon.
You’re back in the Pleasance Courtyard. How does it compare with the Gilded Balloon?
We're in the Pleasance Beside this year which is a great space for sketch comedy, though having six of us poses a problem at most venues. We will always have fond memories of the Gilded Balloon as that was where our Lady Gardening began, but we are excited about being in the courtyard this year!
This is your third Edinburgh show. Is it less daunting now you’ve done a few runs up there?
Edinburgh and doing a new show is always daunting, but maybe we know what to expect a bit more and should have learnt how to pace ourselves... Or maybe not.
Do you all live together up there or would that be overkill?
Yes! In our first year we even shared beds but we've upgraded now and are staying above a funeral parlour this year, so at least the neighbours won't be a bother.
What do you on your day off?
Recover from a hefty one the night before by watching as many shows as we can. It’s always tricky to pick one show we want to see that clashes with our own.
What would you say each of your roles are in Lady Garden - are some of you good at certain characters?
We do have certain characters that we've grown fond of, but this year we've decided to try something new and the show is much more ensemble-based for it. We do have job titles too - for example, Hannah is Minister of Transport and Rose is Task Master. We're a mini government.
What are you up to after Edinburgh, besides having a well-earned rest?
We’ll be starting our residency at the Wilmington Arms in London in November and so we’ll start writing new material that we can try out. We’re also doing Manchester and Sheffield Comedy Festivals.
What’s been your best and worst Edinburgh memory so far?
Our best memory is finding this amazing Japanese restaurant near Bristo Square. The food was amazing - they threw egg at us and we had to catch it in our hats! The worst memory is when an audience member sat on the front row wearing a kilt in the traditional way with legs apart. One by one each of us noticed throughout the show.
Lady Garden's Top Secret Gig will be at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh from August 9th-30th.
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