The Scotsman

My festival Lady Rizo

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Ionlyhavet­imetoseeon­e show in Edinburgh. Why should I go to yours?

We all need to process the pain wave of Trump/brexit right now and let’s do it led by a velvet-voiced siren sparkling her way through hilarious stories and protest songs we can all be lifted up by. Plus, two audience members get shots of booze.

Now I think of it, I’ve got time to see two. What else should I definitely go to? An Evening With Amanda F***ing Palmer or Ali Mcgregor’s Decadence.

What are the best and worst things that have happened to you at the Edinburgh Festival?

Best: In 2013 I found out the all-female Indian cast of Niryaba were coming to my show to help them reset after their very heavy, personal show about the Delhi bus gang rape.

We closed the festival that year with a drunken party including them teaching me how to do courtesan dance moves.

Worst: The first year, 2012 was a really mixed bag. I won a great award (Time Out and Soho Theatre) and was introduced to this incredible internatio­nal community, but also my husband of 12 years and I decided to officially separate during that month. That’s pretty bad.

Please describe where you’re living this month. I’m in an incredible grand house with a trampoline and big back garden in Newington thanks to my friends Neil Gaiman and Amanda F***ing Palmer. Amanda is doing four shows at the Queen’s Hall and we have toddler boys the same age, who are ruling this big house. What’s your favourite place in the city and why

I love the cavernous venues of Cowgate. All ancient bricks and steps. I love to go to shows around there and pretend that I’m the luckiest medieval prisoner ever.

Who do you most like spending time with at the festival?

All the artists that live on other sides of the planet and we join our wild worlds together in this amazing rollercoas­ter of a festival. I’m loving joining forces and venues with my cabaret wife, the Aussie octave wonder, Ali Mcgregor (we’re both at Rainy Hall).

Where can I find you at 9am, 9pm and 2am?

9am: Dropping off my son Tennyson at nursery. He does a half day there so I can sleep in the morning.

9pm: Circling up with my musicians before my show. I like to do a centering thing where we feel each other’s heartbeats to make better music together.

2am: Either in bed or at one of the artist’s bars.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people.

I’m very bad at drinking beers and ciders. I don’t like commitment with a beverage. I’ve been known to leave full drinks around bars. I love a shot, though. Quick and to the point.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

These days it’s get Tennyson some milk. He likes it warm and is very prissy when it comes to temperatur­e. Then we cuddle. That part is pretty great.

What’s the last thing you do before you go to bed at night? Cleanse off all the day’s drag with fancy oil, take out my contacts.

Here it’s been talking over the day with Amanda Palmer over a glass of wine in our tees and underwear which has been pretty amazing. We’re living some Scottishfe­minist-mother-cult fantasy this month.

Thanks for the interview! I’d like to buy you a drink. Where are we going and what are we drinking? You’re welcome, darling! I love Checkpoint because it brings back so many memories of performing there. And now they have velvety red couches in the back! Get me a top-shelf tequila in a cocktail devised by the best bartender there.

 ?? PICTURE: IAN RUTHERFORD ??
PICTURE: IAN RUTHERFORD

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