Interview with Steven Mclean
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 who are preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we dive into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect.
Today we’re joined by Steven Mclean who is taking a staggering five shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer, all produced by PBH Free Fringe.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
I have five shows this year going to the Edinburgh Fringe!
Adorable Comedians Reading Poetry and Telling Stories is a spoken word / story telling show. When I started performing in the 1990s I was a performance poet on cabaret bills and such. I'm making a return to it this year and inviting some very special guests along to join in (some of whom the audience will be very familiar with).
Ageing Disgracefully; A Glass Ceiling Smashing Comedy Show. - I'll be hosting this show for new comedians who started late in life. The comedy circuit has an artificial glass ceiling for acts who are under 35 so this is an attempt to get a profile for some that aren't. it will feature the finalists of an over 35s comedy competition that I host in London.
Aerosmith To ZZ Top; The A to Z of Hair Metal with Steve McLean - This is a story telling comedy show that is my personal journey with the music as a teenager. I speak about the time and the prominent people plus my own growing up current conflicted love of the genre. Bands like Motley Crue, Poison, Gun's and Roses all feature.
Anarchy Cabaret Present: The West End New Act of the Year Showcase. This is another showcase show from another comedy competition. The WENAOTY was set up in 2021 to give a profile boost to the new acts screwed by the pandemic. Since then we've given around 75 acts Edinburgh fringe exposure and stage time, most were for the first time. The contest is the only truly independent competition in London because it's not beholden to venues or breweries or against. It's funded entirely by audience donations. We've been going four years now and some of our previous finalists are making a real splash. It is an absolute honour to be able to host this show.
Comedians Perform Rocky Horror From Memory. Okay this is a final day of the fringe blow out. It was an idea I had a 2am once. I turned into just a room full of peope having a singalong and quote along with key scenes being bellowed out by the 'cast' (by cast I mean anyone who turn up) , which is what I wanted. We did it last year, we didn't really advertise it and about 30 people just came along. We're in a bigger room this year.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
I bring work every year to the fringe. I invite local promoters from around the country and then tour it independently around small festivals and theatres.
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
Funny, interesting and touching, (Does the 'and' count as a fourth word?)
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I hope they enjoy it. That's the first and foremost of any entertainment, be it upbeat or sad or sill or bleak. It doesn't matter if it's the Hair Metal show or the poetry, I really hope they enjoy it. If they enjoy the story or the references or the jokes. It doesn't matter. I want it to be lovely and fun.
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
The fringe can be very tough. Someone much smarter than me once told said 'everything is amplified up here and life seems hard when you live on beer and chips' which is a great comment. Take a proper day off and get out of the city. Go up the hill or go to North Berwick or the beach. We are producers of art and that's a hard thing to do because we're saying to the public 'Come here and judge me'
If you're an act and you find it hard then be mindful that you are performing at the Edinburgh fringe and that's a great thing. About 5000 people do that a year... in a country of nearly 70,000.000. When you visit your family at Christmas and everyone is chewing the fat about holidays or visiting the pyramids or their marathon time, I'll bet you are the only person in the room that can say 'I performed at the Edinburgh and out of 3000 other shows, some people chose to see me' If you're an act and you're struggling then reach out to someone. We're hear to support each other.
6. Where and when can people see your show(s)?
Adorable Comedians Reading Poetry and Telling Stories.- Doghouse Hotel, 11am 2nd - 24th except Tuesday
Aerosmith To ZZ Top; The A to Z of Hair Metal with Steve McLean - Slow Progress Cafe 4pm 2nd - 24th except Tuesdays
Ageing Disgracefully; A Glass Ceiling Smashing Comedy Show. - The Globe, 6pm. 13th - 24th every day
Anarchy Cabaret Present: The West End New Act of the Year Showcase - The Voodoo Rooms. 10pm 2nd - 24th every day
Comedians Perform Rocky Horror From Memory. - The Voodoo Rooms, 11.35pm 24th August ONE SHOW ONLY
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