Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#27): Bailey Swilley, GIMME A SIGN!

27 Jun

Conducted by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect.

Today we’re joined by Bailey Swilley to chat about Gimme A Sign!

1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

Have you ever experienced a personal tragedy and said to yourself, “I’m incredibly sad right now, but this will be funny someday.”? That’s how Gimme a Sign! was born.

It’s a show inspired by that nagging, lost feeling that follows you after someone you love dies. It’s also about my own personal beliefs around ghosts (I TOTALLY BELIEVE!) and how we can honor our lost loved ones, while still acknowledging who they really were—both the good stuff… and some of the tougher things as well.

Gimme a Sign! is also packed with fun millennial nostalgia that’ll either make you cringe or long for low-rise jeans and a Britney Spears jam session.

2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

I had an absolute blast previewing my little ghost tour last year! Now the show has some more fun additions, after working with my incredible director Tim Dunn, and I’m ready to get even more people to check it out and more importantly, believe in ghosts! Or signs from the universe!... Or something!

3. How would you describe your show in three words?

Playful, nostalgic, searching!

4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

Even though this is a show that speaks a lot on DEATH, I hope they walk away feeling better about LIFE! And that no matter what their familial circumstances are, they can view their loved ones and themselves with a gentler lens.

5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

Every now and then, step away from the Fringe mayhem, and enjoy the city of Edinburgh! Last year, I didn’t take a breather until my run was over and this year, I want to make sure that I enjoy all the city has to offer—Holyrood Park, the Water of Leith Walkway, the museums, incredible coffee… Dishoom!

6. Where and when can people see your show?

My show is 1-23 August (not 10 & 17) at 15:05 at Greenside at George St. See you there, babes!