Gerry Carroll tells you his favourite Charles Dickens story – in August.
A Merry Edinburgh Fringe for all, with singing and dancing. Come and be scared by ghosts!
Where: Just the Attic at Just the Tonic at The Mash House
When: 31 Jul-24 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-gerry-christmas-carroll
Gerry tells us more!
So it’s August. Why are you telling us a Christmas story now?
My Christmas show will have more impact when it’s the only Christmas party in town. “Scrooge is not just for Christmas”, as I say about the hero of the story.
And people can enjoy it without worrying about Christmas shopping, secret Santas, office parties, cooking and having the in-laws around. Come and enjoy festivities as they should be- carefree.
The message of transformation and goodness is appropriate at any time.
What might audiences expect at your ‘Merry Fringe’ show?
Many people know and love A Christmas Carol, in it’s many versions. It’s really popular because it’s such a good story. I’m telling it in the original words of Charles Dickens, in its purest form.
This is the heart of it, a plain tale simply told. With laughter, tears and song and even a little dance.
An oasis (not that kind of Oasis), maybe we should say instead an island of Christmas peace in the midst of the frantic Fringe.
A jolly little afternoon gathering, to set you up for the evening.
How did you make a start as a performer? Do Fringe festivals inspire you?
I’m back where I started because I was into acting for a long time, and this is very much a solo drama.
I moved into improv and then into stand-up and theatrical clown, and all of those disciplines come into this show.
I was usually on the comedy side of acting, my favourite part being John in Run for Your Wife, a great old-fashioned farce. I love being the Professor in Jerusalem also.
I got to the semi-finals of the Not So New Comedian of the Year twice. I’m probably too old for that now.
I find the courage and creativity of Fringe artists make me want to be the best I can. There’s a special atmosphere about Edinburgh Fringe, it turns the whole city into one huge performance.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
There are loads of people I can’t wait to meet again. Especially if we can eat at the Mosque Kitchen where the food is so good.
And to get a coffee at the Laundry Cafe in Clerk Street, especially if the Scottie dogs are there.
Where can we see your work after Fringe?
Follow my socials to find out what I’m doing next- @gerryccarroll on Instagram and A Gerry Christmas Carroll on Facebook.
I hope that my show will travel around in the run-up to Christmas.