Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#159): Florence Lace-Evans, YES, WE’RE RELATED
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 Florence Lace-Evans to find out more about her show, Yes, We’re Related.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
Yes, We’re Related is the ultimate dark comedy show following two dysfunctional sisters who are forced to reunite on the one year anniversary of their mother’s death. Desperately the sisters try to throw a party to die for, but are faced with a nut-obsessed red squirrel determined to be the star of the show. Produced by Lace-Evans Productions, with direction led by Francesca Davies-Cáceres (We’ll Have Nun Of It, Underbelly 2023), we are a female-led creative team. I started writing Yes, We’re Related about two years ago when I was hungry to see more female-led comedy writing. I love dark comedy writing, especially playwright Joe Orton, and I love the idea of centring a chaotic comedy around grief, which can be for many people a divisive and uncomfortable topic.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
I first performed Yes, We’re Related at Greenside, Edinburgh Fringe 2024 for the first two weeks of the Festival. At the time the script was very much in its early stages, and I knew I wanted to continue to develop the script, making ‘tweaks’ to the writing after our run in Edinburgh. The script still follows the same story line, but I’ve really leant into the absurdity and squirrel-shenanigans in this version – and it really feels like a new show. I also knew that this year I wanted to experience performing at the Festival for the full four weeks, so when Underbelly gave us the green light I knew it was meant to be!
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
MESSY. ANAPHILACTIC. NUTTY.
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I really hope audiences lean into the absurdity and nutty story line of Yes, We’re Related - after all we were known as “the squirrel show” of Edinburgh Fringe 2024. The comedy writing is dark and dry, which very much juxtaposes with the heart of the show being about how people deal with bereavement – so audience members may at times question if it’s appropriate to laugh at some of the gags. The show follows three characters, Sara, Saskia and Mark who are desperately trying to come to terms with their grief, and that manifests itself in very different ways. I hope audience members who may be affected by the shows themes feel like they can somehow connect to the characters and relationships on stage. It is a very unpredictable show, full of secrets and bombshells – and we are a comedy show, so I hope audiences leave with saw cheeks and wanting to know what happens next for the three characters!
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Be prepared for a loud, fun and all-consuming month – but also find times to rest! Edinburgh Fringe is fast-paced and high energy, but don’t feel like you need to be that all the time. Find times in your day where you can recharge your batteries – even it’s just soaking up the sun or having a tuna melt with some mates! I also think celebrate the fact that you are there and you made it - and despite there being a lot of performers and shows around you, never lose sight of why your show matters.
6. Where and when can people see your show?
Underbelly, Cowgate (Big Belly), 31 Jul - 24 Aug at 14:00!
X: @yes_related
INSTAGRAM:@yes.related
SHOW LINK: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/yes-were-related
READ MORE FROM THE FRINGE..
