Bearded Ladies

What is your show all about?

Well, it's a sketch show with a modern feel. We want our audience to go 'oh I do that', or 'I know someone like that', so I guess it's about life as we know it, but not in a Star Trek way.

Where and when can we see it?

We are on at the Smirnoff Underbelly at 6.15 in the Belly Button. We are also recording an episode of our Radio 4 series at the Pleasance on the 14th August at 8.30 which you can get tickets for via the BBC website.

Do you love Edinburgh or is it a chore?

Oh we love Edinburgh but it is a lot of work and a big financial commitment. You sort of become addicted to the grind of it all.

What will you be doing with the other 23 hrs of the day?

Eating delicious, crusty pies from the pie shop on Nicholson Street, trying to get Christian Slater (who's starring in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Assembly Rooms) alone in a dark alley off the High Street, speaking in rubbish Scottish accents, murdering each other.

What's the best thing you've ever seen on the fringe?

A huge favourite was The Donkey Show in 2001 - the sexiest cast ever, each show was more like a party. The music was so fantastic the audience would end up dancing and long after the show had finished everyone was still boogying away in a loved up frenzy.

What's the worst thing you've seen?

A truly awful university production of a Greek tragedy with a toe curling rape scene, 'at least she's wearing sensible knickers' said one woman loudly. Before the interval there was an audience of 4. After the interval an audience of two - both asleep.

What's the most curious thing that's happened to you in Edinburgh?

Spending an evening with Edinburgh's Naked Man. He's this middle-aged guy who wonders round Edinburgh with nothing on apart from a hat. It wasn't at all titillating but I have to say he is quite well-hung.

If you could persuade one VIP to come to your show who would it be? Why?

For us it's more the sort of VIP rather than a specific one. Ideally we'd like a sort of Tom Selleck, Brian Blessed, David Bellamy type, basically any man from the 1970's who still sports interesting and eye catching facial hair.

If the Edinburgh fairy could grant your wish, what would your wish for?

Everyone - man, woman and child - would sport beards throughout their time at the Festival in a sort of homage to the Bearded Ladies, not only would it look funny but it would be such good PR we'd never have to flyer again.

What advice do you have for first time Edinburgh punters?

Try and enjoy it. The first time we went we spent most of our time in our flat having nervous breakdowns and forgetting that Edinburgh Festival is about getting out there and meeting people, having fun and enjoying yourself. Just don't forget the paracetamol.