Dylan Adler will be making his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. I caught up with him as he is making the final preparations to his show.

Is this your first time at Edinburgh Fringe?

This is my first time at the Fringe! My first time performing Scotland was this February opening for my friend Atsuko Okatsuka in Glasgow. The audience was very fun and rowdy! I’m so excited to perform in Edinburgh and see how crowds respond to my show. I also want to see as many shows as I can. Everyone has told me Edinburgh is like “Theatre Camp” which I never got to attend as a kid. I’m excited to live out that childhood dream. A lot of people I admire have performed their shows at the Edinburgh fringe like Tim Minchin, Bo Burnham, and Hannah Gadsby. 

How long have you been preparing your show for Edinburgh?

 

I’ve been performing iterations of this show for about four years now. It contains a mix of musical comedy, storytelling, and stand up. I’ve been working with my brilliant director Sam Blumenfeld to prepare for Edinburgh for about a year and a half. He recently directed Emily Wilson’s show “FiXed” in 2022 that was nominated for Best Newcomer award at Edinburgh Fringe. I’m proud of how far the show has come and look forward to seeing how crowds at the festival will respond to it. 

What is your motivation to perform there?

 

I want to showcase my solo show at the world’s biggest theatre and arts festival! I want to immerse myself in the world and really sink into the musical, theatrical, and storytelling elements of my show. I primarily do musical comedy and stand up, but in crafting this show I’ve been able to use my degree in musical theatre composition. It’s been very refreshing and exciting to get back into the practice of crafting a narrative show. I’m also excited to have the experience of performing the show so many times consecutively. Close friends have told me the fringe is a life changing experience. 

What have you done to prepare for the Edinburgh Fringe, emotionally and
physically?

 

I’ve told my family I love them. Just kidding. I’m going to bring my immunity pills, a sleep mask, and a C-PAP machine (I have sleep apnea unfortunately lol). I am asking all of my friends who’ve done the Fringe for advice. I am also going to try to keep an open mind and be open to whatever may come along. Whether it be an artistic epiphany or a mental breakdown. 

Have you had any advice from other’s who have performed at the Fringe?

 

My former roommate Sam Morrison whose Off-Broadway show “Sugar Daddy” debuted at Edinburgh Fringe told me that it’s an emotional rollercoaster ride. Some nights you’ll feel great about yourself and some nights you feel like shit. He told me to stay grounded and to not get too swept away by extreme highs and lows. I’ve also been warned that the burgers are cooked very well done. 

Have you visited Scotland or Edinburgh before?

 

Just this year I went to Glasgow to open for my friend Atsuko’s Okatsuka at O2 Academy Glasgow in February. The crowd was actually one of our favorites for her entire European tour. They were very rowdy! During the show I actually learned that there is a rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh and it honestly got very heated! Some people traveled to the show from Edinburgh. It was like the Sharks Vs the Jets. 

How have you found booking accommodation?

 

Just this morning me and my director Sam Blumenfeld locked down a nice one bedroom apartment about a ten minute walk away from the Pleasance theatre! I’m so excited. It’s going to be cramped quarters and one of us will be sleeping on a couch, but it’s a big relief we found a place! 

What plans do you have for your show after the Edinburgh Fringe is over?

 

I would love to tour the show after the Edinburgh Fringe is over. I’d love to perform it at the Soho Theatre in London and do an Off-Broadway run in New York City. I want to continue honing in on it and eventually record it as a special. I’m very inspired by shows like “Nate” by Natalie Palamides, “What” by Bo Burnham, and “Dark Side” by Tim Minchin that were shows that debuted at the Fringe and eventually turned into recorded specials. That is definitely a dream of mine. 

 

Dylan Adler’s debut comedy show ‘Haus Of Dylan’ will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Beside for the entire fringe for tickets go to www.edfringe.com

 

Photo credit-Kim Newmoney.

CREDIT – KIM NEWMONEY

LINK-https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/m4bjttn5fqm4mqwwh6omy/ACL1LiRcseOxlRIKZF_Mh2A?rlkey=cpwnjv6fyfa3xmp9yjp2z2oj4&st=td4b0m6y&dl=0