Jessica Toltzis – Edie
Friday 1 – Saturday 16 August (only)
The Annexe at Paradise in The Vault, 11 Merchant Street, Edinburgh EH1 2QD
21.10 – 22.20 (70mins)
What is the history of your show? Has it been performed anywhere else in the world before bringing it to Edinburgh?
In 2019, I came across a photo of an older woman wearing a T-shirt that read, “Nobody Knows I’m a Lesbian.” As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to find out more about who she was. That led me to discover Edith Windsor, a woman I felt an immediate kindship with. I read up on her, studied her, and from there, I began writing my one-woman show inspired by her fabulous life.
I had three, sold-out, off-Broadway performances at 59E59 Theatres in New York City before coming to Edinburgh Fringe.
What are your plans for the show after the Edinburgh Fringe?
My hope is that there will be enough interest in Edie at Fringe that it gets picked up and I can continue to tell this important story, whether that be continuing the stage performance or adapting Edie it for the screen.
Is it your first time at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I was at Fringe once before, in 2014 when I performed with my high school, in As You Like It. I played Touchstone. It’s been my dream to return and I’m so excited to be doing it with my show.
There are over 3,500 shows performing – how do you think you will cope with the overwhelming chaos that the Fringe brings?
I’m so excited to be part of the chaos! And I think that the energy from the festival is only going to catapult my show and my performance.
What sort of other shows will you see if you have time? Has anything caught your eye from the programme?
I have a few friends performing shows, which I’m excited to see! I’m also excited to see shows I will stumble across. The beauty of Fringe is that you can have a plan, but then it rains and you think “oh no, I should get inside” and you find yourself at a show you didn’t expect to see and it’s the best show you’ve come across.
Any advice about flyering?
Have a small but mighty team! I have an amazing associate director/stage manager who will be out there pounding the pavement with me! So if you see us in our “Edie” shirts, say hello!
Do you have any “good luck” rituals you undertake before performing?
I always warm up and remind myself: I have time. With the pressure of a one-woman show, plus the external chaos, it’s incredibly helpful to remind myself that I have time to perform and tell this story.
How have you found booking accommodation?
Finding accommodations has been pretty smooth. But it required a combination of patience and action—when what you want is available, take it! And the Fringe staff has been incredibly helpful, making everything so much easier.
What three pieces of advice would you give to first-timers going to the Fringe?
1. Enjoy the unknown! A big part of enjoying the Fringe is discovering whatever is nearby, has tickets available, and wasn’t on your list.
2. See shows that aren’t necessarily “your style” or favourite genre. You just might see the greatest historical drama. Or a puppet show.
3. Always carry a rain jacket or umbrella!
Have you performed at any other Fringes? If so which has been your favourite so far?
As I said before, I performed at Fringe in 2014 as Touchstone in As You Like It. This time at Fringe will be a very different experience—one was a with a cast of 20 and this is a solo show. They will be wildly different experiences, so I truly can’t compare!
I’m so excited for audiences to see Edie and have a great laugh while also learning about an unsung hero.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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