Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#94): Lauren O’Brien, LOLO’S BOYFRIEND SHOW
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 writer and performer Lauren O’Brien to chat about her show, Lolo’s Boyfriend Show.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
Lolo’s Boyfriend Show is a soul-baring solo show about a young artist who is forced to face her demons. She’s hit rock bottom: her show is cancelled, she has no money, and she’s flung back to her childhood bedroom. What follows is a circus-ride through boyfriends past, which ultimately teaches her the art of turning poison into medicine.
Lolo was inspired by the madness of dating in New York City! I started writing a novel version of the show during the pandemic. I focused on the comedy at first, but gradually, the depths of Lolo revealed themselves…
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
I like castles! Plus, coming to the Edinburgh Fringe has always been a dream of mine. I’m a huge fan of Baby Reindeer and Fleabag, and I wanted to follow them (and so many phenomenal shows!) to the Fringe. Lolo seems like a great fit for this festival… she kinda lives on the edge. Some mainstream theaters in the States are concerned that Lolo so much sex, violence, and cursing (God forbid a girl has hobbies!)…but I’m hoping Fringe audience will enjoy these aspects of Lolo.
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
That’s challenging… but Lydia Darly of the NOVA Festival describes Lolo as “…Hilarious, Honest, Hot!”
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I hope audiences fall in love with themselves a little more after meeting Lolo! She is such a flawed character. It’s sometimes hard to accept our own flaws, but I hope by meeting and accepting Lolo, audiences can make friends with their own imperfections (and even have fun with them)!
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Try to be in the moment!! This is my first time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, but before I do any major festival, I make a determination: I vow to always be in the right place at the right time, with the right people, doing the right thing for the greatest happiness and success of everyone involved! Then I trust the process and let the magic unfold…
6. Where and when can people see your show?
Lolo’s Boyfriend Show will be at theSpaceUK’s Haldane Theater August 1-16 (not 10) at 20:30-21:25. Lolo is dying to meet you!!
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