Partway through the first week of the Edinburgh Fringe I caught up with Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett who has returned with a successful solo show Trust Me, I’m From Essex.

Show Title, time and Venue.

Trust Me, I’m from Essex, 12:45pm at Greenside @ George Street – THE FERN. 

Where did the inspiration or ideas come from for your show/production?

I’ve wanted to do a solo show since I was sixteen. During COVID, my sister-in-law sent me an example of one and said, “You can do that,” and suddenly my brain went into overdrive. I started thinking about what I wanted my own solo show to include — songs, projections, maybe some characters — but then I hit a wall: what would my story actually be? I had no idea.

Then, one day, I joked to someone that my life had basically been a storyline from EastEnders — and from there, the show started writing itself.

I showed it to my director, Lindsay Perry, and we spent the next six weeks workshopping it. Now, here I am four years later, performing a raw, rollercoaster-of-a-ride solo musical.

Also — because people always find this part interesting — I’d always dreamed of being a musical theatre star. That was one of my childhood obsessions. But I was terrified of singing in front of anyone… unless they had their eyes closed or were facing away from me.

When I first started writing the show, it had just three songs — I was that scared of singing. Now? It’s a full-on solo musical, and I’m out here making ridiculous music videos too.

Who knows — maybe one day I’ll play Maureen in RENT. Anything can happen, right?

What do you plan on doing to relax and get some “time out” during the Fringe?

Great question — and something I’ve actually already started planning for!

I’ve booked a high tea at The Dome (high tea is one of my absolute favourite things to do). I’ll also be spending time at Carlton Hill and finally doing Arthur’s Seat, which I didn’t get around to last time. I’ve even booked a trip to Jupiter Artland to escape the city for an afternoon and soak up some creativity in nature.

I honestly love Edinburgh — there’s so much to do and so many beautiful places to explore. It really fills my historic curiosity cup.

How do you deal with stage nerves before each performance, if you have them?

Honestly? I have no idea — I still get nervous before every show.

I think interacting with the audience at the top helps calm me down a bit, but until the show is over, I’m basically a bag of nerves.

Before my very first performance, I actually ended up in the emergency room with intense chest pain — it turned out I was having a full-blown anxiety attack. So yes, even now, I still get nervous, especially because I’m sharing such intimate parts of my life on stage.

But I try to remind myself that it’s all for the greater good — and that connection, honesty, and a bit of humour can go a long way.

Where are you staying during the Fringe? Did you find accommodation quite easily?

I feel incredibly lucky that, for the past two years, I’ve been able to stay with my friend Lara in her beautiful flat during the Fringe.

Lara and I met back in 2009 when we were both working at a department store in London. None of the staff would talk to us, so after a couple of awkward days, we started talking to each other — and hit it off straight away. We’ve been friends ever since.

What obstacles have you faced preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe this year?

So many! I find producing a show at EdFringe incredibly overwhelming — especially since my team consists of… me, myself, and I. There are definitely moments when I feel completely overloaded.

That said, because I did this solo last year, I learned a lot, so this year has felt slightly “easier” — but it’s still a tremendous amount of work.

For me, once I get the venue locked in, everything else starts to fall into place… like a big, terrifying puzzle.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Honestly, I really do think the biggest game-changer has been doing this show.

Not only has it cracked open my shell and helped me overcome my musical stage fright, but it’s also unleashed a wild, unfiltered part of my brain. (I was already pretty unfiltered — but now it’s been dialled up in a way I’m genuinely loving.)

Fun story: A year before I pulled this show together, I booked my first American TV role — on HBO! I was so jazzed. I was on the same call sheet as John C. Reilly — comedy legend. I had the best week of fittings and filming… it all felt like a dream.

Seven months later, the show came out — and my scenes, my dialogue? Completely cut.

I was devastated. It had taken me so long just to get an audition, let alone a booking. I cried for days and told everyone I was quitting the industry. But… I’d already paid for my venue at the Hollywood Fringe to do a workshop of this show.

And honestly, this show reminded me that you can’t sit around waiting for someone to give you a role — especially one that might not even make the final edit. You have to create your own work. You have to keep going. The more you make, the more creativity flows to you.

Why did you decide to the Venue you are using?

I had reached out to several venues, but when I met with Greenside, I instantly loved the energy and the vibe. The space was exactly what I was looking for, and Darren and the Greenside team made everything so straightforward and easy. I simply can’t wait to get my show into the space!

Favourite and worse thing about performing?

My favourite thing is seeing and interacting with people after the show — hearing how much it touched them and how inspired they felt. That’s really what I want: for people to leave feeling empowered, and to know they’re not alone.

That’s why performers do what they do, right? To create something real and raw that the audience can truly connect with.

The hardest part is that some of the material can be triggering. Last year, I had a couple walk out mid-show, and I later found out it was because they were deeply triggered. That’s always tough to hear — but I do say at the top of the show that everything I’m sharing is real. It’s based entirely on my own personal experience, and yes, it does get intense. It gets dark.

But I’m not a dark person — I’m all rainbows and unicorns. 🌈🦄
So if you’re willing to come with me through the darkness, I promise: the rainbows show up right after.

In one sentence why should someone come to see your show?

Because even though my life has been totally messed up, I’ve found the humour and the fun in it — and honestly, it’s how you deal with all that stuff that shapes who you are.

Let me inspire you.

Name one other show that you plan on seeing at the Fringe?

I have so many shows booked — I’m absolutely OBSESSED with Jane Austen! I’ve already got my ticket for Austentatious secured and can’t wait.

Where are you taking your show next?

Right now, Edinburgh is my last stop for this show. I’m sure I’ll be performing it again, but at the moment, I’m focused on developing the stage show into a TV series.

I really need to start building a team around me because there’s no way I can do this solo.

So, if anyone out there is interested — I have a great idea for a TV show! So hit me up directors and producers. 

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/trust-me-i-m-from-essex

https://www.instagram.com/p/DM7OjGIoUz7/

https://theatreandartreviews.com/2024/08/21/trust-me-im-from-essex-by-lindsay-lucas-bartlett/