Mary O’Connell-Edinburgh Fringe 2025-Part of July Challenge.

Mary O’Connell returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with her comedy show at The Pleasance. I have recently caught up with her to find out what audiences can expect this year at her show.

When were you last performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?

The last time I was at the fringe was in 2023 when I did my debut hour at The Pleasance. Two years later I\ve just about recovered from the last time so I’m back with another show.

What was the name of your previous show?

Money Princess

How long has your current show been running for?

My new show is called Dilly Dally. it’s all about my family, romantic relationships and feeling like you’re wasting time while everyone else is achieving the proper adult milestones. The fringe will be this new show’s first proper outing. I’ve been doing WIPs in the lead up to fringe but it will properly be fit for viewing at the fringe.

Do you have any “good luck” rituals you undertake before performing?

It’s very important to me that I look hot on stage so most of my pre performance rituals are vanity based. I go a gua sha facial massage to make my cheekbones look snatched and I usually stick some glitter or gems on my face. In a more theatrical sense, I do tongue twisters, some stretching and breathing exercises before I go on stage.

How have you found booking accommodation this year?

Booking accommodation is never something I look forward to and not my greatest strength. I always find someone else more organised than me who’s booking a large flat and then just flatter and flirt my way into using their organisational skills. And also I always pay deposits on time. Arguably that’s more useful than flirting but who’s really to say?

Unfortunately the accommodation does tend to get more expensive each year and I’m not the spring chicken I used to be; where sleeping under a desk, in a room with two other people was something I took to with vigor.

What three pieces of advice would you give to first-timers going to the Fringe?

It is the biggest arts festival in the world so remember how amazing it is to experience something like that. Have fun.

Please for the love of god hydrate and take your multivitamins. It’s the one month a year where you really don’t look after yourself all that much so do the bare minimum so you don’t end up losing your voice and having a nervous breakdown on the Royal Mile.

Find a spot that you can go to where you can chill, charge your phone and decompress. A place with wifi so you can catch up on the texts from all your fringe love interests. I have such a place but I won’t name it because I don’t want you to steal it.

What are your plans after the Edinburgh Fringe is over?

I’ll probably want to sit in a cocoon for a day and a half but then after that I really want to focus on writing. I’ve started writing a book and I’ll be able to focus more on that after the fringe. I’d also love to do a mini tour of my new hour Dilly Dally

Photo credit Rachel Sherlock.

Mary O’Connell’s second stand up hour will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Attic at 7.15pm for the entire fringe for tickets go to www.edfringe.com

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mary-o-connell-dilly-dally