Emma Sidi's new stand-up show, Faces of Grace is on at Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Below, during August. 

  • What is your Fringe show about?

My show Faces of Grace is a character comedy show about desperately wanting to be beautiful, successful and graceful - but life’s obstacles and your own personality always getting in the way. My characters really want some sort of transcendental moment of grace in their lives, but they ain’t gonna get it. Or will they? (See what I did there - hopefully that question at the end has you hooked). Plus, there’s a lot of dancing in it.

  • How many times/many years have you appeared at the Fringe?

This will be my third solo show. I had a year off last year, which mainly involved being jealous of every other comedian up at the Fringe. The ‘fomo’ was real. Prior to that I performed as part of the Cambridge Footlights which in retrospect was more of a booze cruise than a well put together comedy show.

  • What’s your most memorable moment from the Fringe?

Morgana Robinson came to my first solo show in 2015 and she’s a huge idol of mine anyway, but she was part of a minuscule standing ovation and God that was the best feeling ever. Other than that, various unsuccessful love affairs. Guys, that’s what the Fringe is for!

  • What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?

Having to ask and respond to the question ‘How’s your show going?’ upwards of twenty times a day. It gets so boring it starts to feel like your teeth are going to fall out.

  • If you were not a performer what would you be doing?

I’d love that classic rom-com job of writing cute slogans for greeting cards. I feel like no-one does that in real life, it’s just an algorithm but various romantic comedies really sell it as a career.

  • How do you prepare for a performance?

I hum a lot to prepare my voice - I don’t use a mic in this current show as it’s so physical - and I say a mad nonsensical phrase before going on stage and I will never tell anyone what it is. It’s a mix of focusing on one thing and pure superstition. It’s mad, I would not recommend it, guys.

The remembrance of unsuccessful love affairs. As I said, that’s what the Fringe is for!

  • What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve ever done?

Asked a fish and chips shop in Edinburgh if I could bring them a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and they deep fry it for me. They weren’t in the mood.

  • Favourite Scottish food/drink?

Um, hello? IRN BRU. The sketch group Sheeps and I once wrote a really good song together about how much we love it.

  • Sum up your show in three words

Let’s dance crazy. 

Show summary

Critically acclaimed character comedian and contemporary somatic movement enthusiast Emma Sidi brings her third hour of comedy gymnastics to the Edinburgh Fringe. An original and hilarious show of graceful heroes who are having a bit of a tough time. Includes dancing. 

Emma Sidi's new stand-up show, Faces of Grace is on at Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Below, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com

You can follow Emma on Twitter at @EmSid1