Sarah McGuinness brings her first show to the Edinburgh Fringe this August Grit, Glitter and Gaslight. However, this isn’t her first time at the Edinburgh Fringe. In fact, she has been coming for thirty years. Find out more about the inspiration behind her first time performing there.

When and where are you performing at the Fringe this year?
I’m performing my one woman show Grit Glitter & Gaslight at the Billiard Room in the newly reopened Teviot venue at Gilded Balloon, 10pm nightly

What was the inspiration for your show?
It came after a very scary bout of Covid during which I realised it was now or never for me to tell my own story. In 30 years of the Fringe I’d never had the courage to do that, I had worked mostly in backstage or production roles. Fear of death versus fear of performing the truth? – made it an easy choice!!

Have you performed at any other Fringe Festivals before embarking on
Edinburgh?
Yes, I’ve recently performed the show in Ireland, Perth and Los Angeles. It’s been fascinating to discover which parts of the story connect with people everywhere – and which bits need explaining because there simply isn’t a local equivalent! At its heart, the show is about finding your voice and refusing to let other people
define you. That seems to resonate wherever we go.
Have you been given any advice or help from performers or creatives who have previously been to the Edinburgh Fringe?
Absolutely! From my dear friend Eddie Izzard – ‘Just make it fun – even if it’s serious – and ignore the haters!’ That has become a bit of a guiding principle for the show. It deals with difficult experiences, but there’s music, glamour and plenty of humour. Sometimes laughter is the best way into a serious story.
When did you first step on the stage as a performer?
When I was eight years old! Then a few years later my confidence was shattered and it took many years to get back on the horse and do it again! That’s what the show is about – the decades in between and the show charts the course of learning to defend yourself against naysayers.
Who or what inspired you to take to the stage?
When I was little and growing up in the Troubles in N. Ireland, I remember seeing a touring production of The Marriage of Figaro with everyone beautifully made up and the pretty lights and the gorgeous voices and the humour and it was the most amazing sense of escape from the daily fear we were living with. It had a profound effect on me. I realised that in theatre you can get away from all the bad stuff for an
hour or two and life becomes more bearable afterwards. Theatre truly is a kind of magic.
Who is your target audience?
Anyone who’s ever been ostracised, targeted, or bullied and is trying to find the confidence to break free and be the person they were always meant to be. It’s taken me a lifetime.It has taken me a lifetime to tell this story, but there is no such thing as “too late.” I want to help inspire audiences to leave feeling entertained, understood and perhaps a little more willing to take their own leap – though preferably not down
the Teviot stairs at 11pm.
Are you planning on seeing any shows this year? If so, do you have recommendations?
Absolutely – definitely going to see Mariella Frostrup (which is conveniently next door to me lol)

Photo Andy Carver
Sarah McGuinness: Grit, Glitter, and Gaslight
Billiard Room at Gilded Balloon Teviot Bristo Square, Edinburgh
5 – 31 August (No show 11, 18, 25)
at 22.00 (1 hour).

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sarah-mcguinness-grit-glitter-and-gaslight