Mairi Campbell: Auld Lang Syne is on at the Scottish Storytelling Centre - The Netherbow Theatre at Fringe, from August 3 - 27 (except Mondays). 

  • What is your Fringe show about?

My Fringe show which is called ‘Mairi Campbell: Auld Lang Syne’ is the second show in a trilogy.  The first show was‘Mairi Campbell: Pulse’. 

It’s about my true life adventures with the song ‘Auld Lang Syne,  Scotlands’ most famous song.

The song is about relationships: remembering, forgetting and letting go, so those are the themes I explore through real life encounters: ; a childhood friendship, marriage and the time I sang it to President Clinton, Sean Connery,Sarah Jessica Parker and many other stars - which was a disaster so what followed was, very surprisingly, a contract with Sex and the City who wanted to our version of the song in their movie.

The show also reveals the meaning of the song and it’s sounds, it’s history, how it was disseminated around the world and what to do in the last verse.  

I express this show through a mix of live and recorded music that I’ve written, ( with David Gray), movement, animation and storytelling.  Hopefully a funny and profound experience for the audience.

It’s co-devised and directed by Kath Burlinson.    

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

2010, 2011, 2012,2016 and 2017

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

I was born and bred in Edinburgh so I remember being twelve years old and busking with my sister at the mound in 1977 when there were no other buskers. We made a small fortune.

Getting a standing ovation for my last show ‘Mairi Campbell: Pulse’ to a full house at the Scottish Storytelling centre in 2017.

  • What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?

It’s very competitive and hard to get an audience.  The hoards of people in town are a nightmare if  you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry.

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

Sitting in my cottage on the island of Lismore, listening to the birds.

  • How do you prepare for a performance?

Give myself a good talking to, prepare well, don’t do much else during the day ideally and remember to enjoy myself on stage.

  • Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?

The Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street, it’s a hidden gem and a cracking venue where I’ll be doing the show. Arthur Seat, Portobello beach.  The amazing architecture. 

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

Sing Auld Lang Syne at the Scottish Parliament on Burns night.  Get pissed and then rant on about how great we are.   

  • Favourite Scottish food/drink?

Haggis and Edinburgh gin.

  • Sum up your show in three words

Funny, profound, surprising.

Mairi Campbell: Auld Lang Syne is on at the Scottish Storytelling Centre - The Netherbow Theatre at Fringe, from August 3 - 27 (except Mondays). 

For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com

You can follow Mairi Campbell on Twitter at @uldlangsmairi, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MairiCampbellOfficial/ and her official website at https://mairicampbell.scot/