Haley McGee talks about her new show, I'm Doing This for You.

1 Tell us about your Fringe show

You get comedy and cake. I get to correct a mistake.  

A woman flies halfway around the world to make a big romantic gesture for a man. He's an aspiring standup comedian. Today is his birthday. The audience is her gift to him. It's a surprise. 

Funny, uncomfortable and a little bit sad, it is an immersive show that takes surprising and daring turns, as it explores just how far we will go to not be alone. 


2 Best thing about the Fringe?

Seeing things I've never see anywhere else. Meeting people from around the world.


3 Worst thing about the Fringe?

Crying. 


4 How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

This is my third year in Edinburgh.  In 2013 I was here with my solo OH MY IRMA and in 2014 I was in a show that was part of the International Festival programming, Helen Lawrence


5 Favourite Fringe venue?

Summerhall! Also really like Forest Fringe.


6 Best Fringe memory?

Karaoke night with the venue staff and artists at Hill Street Theatre. 

7 Worst moment of corpsing?

A friend of mine couldn't stop laughing during my first solo show, and he took me down with him. 

8 Craziest on stage experience?

A bat flying around the stage.  Rural Ontario Summer Theatre. 

9 What’s on your rider?

A clean toilet backstage. Heating. 

10 How do you wind down after a show?

I clean my face with coconut oil. Then I get a drink and a snack from the SH courtyard. Really enjoying the Bao Buns at ROST with a glass of white wine from The Made In Adelaide folks. 


11 What do you love about Scotland?

The warm people and black pudding. 


12 What do you like about Edinburgh?

The way the light dances on Arthur's Seat.  All the green in the middle of the city. The architecture. How close it is to the sea. 


13 What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

Eating oats and then hiking in the highlands.  


14 What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to? What is the audience response like in Edinburgh?
I think they like the bawdy stuff.  Really good warm fun. 


15 Favourite theatre character?

Sally Bowles. Lady M. Dame Edna. 

16 Favourite Scottish food/drink? 

BLACK PUDDING. Hendricks Gin. 

Haley McGee: I'm Doing This for You is on at  Summerhall (Venue 26) ​until August 28.