Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
Frisky’s Remix Roulette is an interactive music extravaganza, where a team of world-class musicians fulfil the depraved musical fantasies of the audience. Any song. Any style. YOU decide. Hosted by the irrepressible Miss Frisky (Frisky & Mannish, La Soirée, Briefs: Sweatshop) whose warm and hilarious interactions with the crowd keep the night fizzing along, while her versatile vocal cords take you musically from R&B to hip hop, jazz to opera, musical theatre to drum & bass seamlessly.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
The show was the brain-child of Frisky, and very much an extension of the “titting around with pop songs” for which the iconic Frisky & Mannish were best known. But while Mannish takes a writing sabbatical, Frisky has found a gang of top-flight musos with as much musical ADHD as her to tit around with. Borne of her love of MCing and playing with audiences (which she’s been doing solo all around the world for the last decade), she wanted to combine her unique skills into a truly original concept, where every single night is a total one-off.
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
Frisky and her band debuted the idea last year as ‘Frisky’s Reshuffle’, to rave reviews and audiences who came back again and again. This year, the show is leaning-into the chaos even more, putting even more power in the hands of the people, and hoping to replicate some of the utterly unhinged mayhem of last time. If you missed it last year, you missed Heavy Metal Madonna, Highland-Fling Craig David, and Opera WAP. It’s a lovely feeling coming back with something proven, and something that people seem genuinely excited to come and see again. We can’t wait to dive head-first into all the madness – onstage and off!
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
As far as we know, this is the only show of its kind. There are, of course, musical improv shows out there, but no one is doing live remixing and reimagining like this, entirely at the whim of the audience. And, like many essentially very simple ideas, it’s fiendishly difficult to execute. The band and technical team have had to devise brand-new systems to make any style possible, even something we may not have heard of before. It’s truly a musical extreme sport, which only works because the team making it are equal parts terrifyingly talented, and total idiots.
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
The show has all of Frisky’s trademarks – musical diversity, absolute delight in the ridiculous and fabulous, and genuine wit and warmth. The whole team share a real playfulness, without which the whole endeavour just wouldn’t be possible. But while Frisky comes from the worlds of comedy and cabaret, the band’s backgrounds are really diverse – folk, jazz, heavy metal, traditional scottish, classical, theatre. This is another key to the success of the show, everyone has a different “speciality” and can lead the others with genres they’re less acquainted with. Ultimately, it’s just a bunch of people who love music, and who love mucking about.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
Aside from the musical overstimulation, we do also hope audiences leave feeling a little more bold, a little more brave, a little less worried about having everything “perfect” before sharing whatever they have to give with the world. There’s such joy in leaping into the unknown, especially with similarly brazen friends. The show is about grabbing the moment, and seeing what happens when we give ourselves over to the chaos.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
Our ideal audience consists of the widest possible range of people, who are bold enough to chuck an idea in the pot. We want the kids throwing in mumblerap, the Mozart-lovers suggesting sonatas, people from all over the world broadening our horizons with music from their culture (which we will always attempt with the deepest respect and sensitivity, as far as 5 pasty Brits can). The only people missing are the grumps who are determined to find fault, and couldn’t crack a smile if you gave them the world. We all know them. They probably won’t like this.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
The best way to decompress from the Fringe is to, just briefly, get away from the Fringe entirely! Edinburgh is the most sensational city at any time of year, with so many beautiful spots to escape to – Portobello, the Botanic Gardens, Calton Hill, and so on. Getting out and touching the grass goes a long way. That, or ordering a haggis pizza to your bedsit and not opening the curtains for 24 hours.
Frisky’s Remix Roulette runs at Venue 20, Bijou at Assembly Rooms
Runs: 5th – 30th August at 20:30pm
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’