The Gilbert Twins Carine and Frances, identical twins and TikTok sensations, make their debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe with Under The Influence!
“After becoming a viral sensation, identical twins Carine and Frances land in couples therapy as the world’s most co-dependent non-couple. The session erupts into a hilarious musical intervention and a reckoning that threatens to collapse their lifelong duet. Best known as @thegilberttwins to their 3M+ followers online, Carine and Frances return to their musical theatre roots with their original score co-written by Shona Maule. Loud, ridiculous, and unexpectedly heartfelt, this new musical comedy explores the chaos of sisterhood, online pressure, and the search for your own voice.”
Where: Dairy Room at Underbelly, Bristo Square
When: 5-30 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/under-the-influence
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
Our show, Under the Influence, is a musical comedy based on the true story of when we ended up in couples therapy. After sharing the same genes, a flat, and a job, our relationship came to a breaking point. Unfortunately, there were no twin therapists – so a couples therapist it was! The moment we stepped foot in our therapist’s office, we knew we had to make a show about it one day. It’s hilarious, honest, and it’ll make you wish you had a twin…or glad that you don’t!
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
Why go to therapy when you can watch two identical twins hash out a lifetime of co-dependency for a fraction of the price? It’s a fast-paced comedy that will strike a chord with anyone who has a sibling, partner, or a severe lack of personal space. If you’re looking for catchy songs, zero boundaries, and a place to laugh, this is the ultimate group therapy session you won’t want to miss.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
This is actually our Edinburgh Fringe debut! We performed in a short improv set at a TikTok variety night at Fringe two years ago, but this is our first full run. A moment we’ll never forget from that 2024 trip is looking at each other after the show and promising that one day we’d bring our own here. Two years later, we’re back, doing exactly that!
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
We are most excited to return to our live performing roots. After graduating drama school in 2019, our careers pivoted into building our digital comedy platforms. While we love our online community, nothing beats the thrill of a live theatre audience. Sharing our debut musical together in Edinburgh feels like such a full-circle moment. It’s really special for us to share this experience together, as sisters and creative partners.
What’s next for the show?
Edinburgh is just the beginning for Under the Influence! This run is all about introducing the world to us and our show, and we already have plans for the future. The ultimate dream is a London transfer followed by a UK tour. And since we have roots in Canada, bringing the show across the Atlantic for a North American run is obviously on our bucket list too. We can’t wait to see what’s next…