Zoo is on at Assembly George Square, Studio Four, during August.

Zoo is co-directed by Hamish MacDougall and performed by Lorna Beckett and Lily Bevan. Lily answers our questions. 

  • What is your Fringe show about?

Zoo is about two women, Bonnie and Carol - one in America and one in the UK, who both work with and love animals and who have both had a tricky time with people. It’s based on the real story of the hurricane hitting a zoo in Miami last year and how the zoo keepers responded. The story then jumps to Yorkshire and another animal chapter. When the going gets tough - their friendship helps them through.

It has high winds, flamingos, bats, giant otters and lot of laughs. It’s performed by me and fab actress Lorna Beckett with cameos from Jim Rastall, Robert Moutford and award nominated comic Mike Wozniak.

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

The first time was when I was a student at Cambridge a long time ago. Then recently I’ve been back four times. With a play ‘Mock Tudor’ at Pleasance. Then a solo show ‘Pheasant Plucker’ at Underbelly, a character show ‘Talking to Strangers’ at Assembly and now ‘Zoo’ back at ‘Assembly’ again.

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

Two years ago in my last Assembly show - Sally Phillips fell off the stage during warm up and broke her foot, not funny at the time - very awkward, but she soldiered on and proved you can still be very funny while still!

  • What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?

It’s hard to stop and it’s hard to sleep. There are so many things to do, shows to see, music to enjoy, fireworks to watch, cocktails to drink in bars on astroturf etc - how can you switch off? You can end up standing on a hill in the rain with gin and a falafel at 2am and not sure which day of the week it is.

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

I’m a performer and a writer - so I try to cover quite a few bases already. If I did something else I’d be a director or set designer - as then I’d still be able to work in theatre which is where I like to be. Failing that - I’d move to Paris and I’d run a chocolate eclair shop.

  • How do you prepare for a performance?

Yoga warm up, back bends for energy! I like a good walk on the Meadows. I love Edinburgh coffee. I like checking in with my team - Lorna my co -actor, having a laugh and listening to loud 80s music. I try to say all my lines through, especially if I’m tired. I wake my body and voice up.

  • Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?

It’s the most inspiring place so my favourite thing is the work I see from other people. Every festival I see work that is new, weird and full of creativity. I love cabaret and burlesque, and off the wall stuff. I did some training at Gaulier in Paris so love seeing clown shows. It’s such a wonderful way to catch up with old friends - watching their new shows. I feel lucky to be a part of it.

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

Drunk whisky in Whistle Binkies till 5am.. I hope it’s still there. A very Scottish hideaway. I also got a boat across Loch Leven to see Mary Queen of Scots castle - such a beautiful legendary place, and the beauty of Scotland out in full force - a bright sunny day on a loch! We may have even glimpsed a monster… 9 Favourite Scottish food/drink?

Hmm.. yep, Whisky. I also just love how diverse the delicious food is in Edinburgh. Great curry and Scandinavian bakeries, and swanky coffee and late night chips, and herbed cocktails ..

  • Sum up your show in three words

Storms. Laughs. Flamingos.

Show summary

A tale of animal instinct, fight or flight and a woman trying to trap 47 flamingos in a urinal... Until today the most dangerous event at the zoo was the tapir’s caesarean section. When a hurricane heads straight for Miami, Bonnie hurries to keep her animals safe. Across the world in Yorkshire, Carol feels the repercussions. However, the danger is deeper and darker than the weather. An inventive comedy drama of heroism and friendship.

Zoo is on at Assembly George Square, Studio Four, during August. Zoo is co-directed by Hamish MacDougall and performed by Lorna Beckett and Lily Bevan. ​For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com