Ed: the new, totally unofficial, sketch show

This summer Ed: the new, totally unofficial, ginger-inclusive parody sketch show, a late night comedy parodying the rise to stardom of a certain ginger singer, is premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Accompanied by a glittering live band and fresh from a sold-out London run, Ed charts the story of a ginger pop sensation who just wants to play music. Can he survive fame, fortune and being ginger? 

Featuring multiple authentic gingers and starring Rosie Parrish as Ed, Ed combines joyful comedy, first-class musical talent and a kid with suspiciously decent guitar skills. 

OUR JOURNEY

When we first began creating this show, we discussed various ideas, and each went nowhere. ‘Guys and Dolls… but set in a Leeds pub!’ / ‘West Side Story… but three people play all the roles’. Terrible.

With the application deadline for a venue fast approaching, on Christmas Eve 2021 James (co-writer) sent a single text to Alex (co-writer): 'Has anyone done … Ed Sheeran: the completely unofficial parody musical'.

Also terrible? Less terrible than the rest. Armed with this line, we reconvened in a meeting room with a dynamic cast, a pop savant musical director, and a corkboard of blank note cards. This was the beginning of Ed.

With the talents of writers, actors, musicians, and producers, Ed played two sold out runs in 2022 in Cambridge (March) & London (September), seen by over 500 paying customers. ‘A reminder of the comedy songs of Bo Burnham… Hilarious lyrics… Instantly in stitches’ (Varsity). We were offered a second London run in 2023.

GETTING TO FRINGE

But from the beginning, we designed this show for the Edinburgh Fringe. We are delighted to have a glittering cast and crew. We want them to enjoy the experience of a multi-week run of theatre in Edinburgh, with everything that involves.

And we want it to be a springboard to new things for everyone, whether that is simply honing skills and confidence, exploring a professional career in the arts, or even figuring out a commercial future for this new work. 

We are aiming to raise £5,750 from patrons to help take Ed to Edinburgh. We have already raised £500 of this total from one generous donation, leaving £5,250 to raise.

This is due to the high costs of the Fringe including transport, insurance and (by far the biggest cost) promotion. Contributors to this fund will be making vital grants. The fund will be split between subsidising travel & accommodation and paying for marketing and other production costs.

COSTS BREAKDOWN

Indicative headline costs of taking the show to Edinburgh:

Venue Costs, Registration and Production: £3,000

Publicity: £1,500

Insurance: £100

Costumes: £150

Set/props: £125

Sundries: £100

Contingency: £100

Welfare/Company Support: £650

Music Licensing: £25

TOTAL: £5,750

ABOUT THE SHOW

Packed with parody remixes of favourite pop songs, gender-switched character sketches and cameo appearances from a sequin-jacketed Rocket Man, audience members even have the chance to participate (or be victimised) on stage in a live game show.

Ed will enjoy a two-week run – from 4 to 19 August – at the iconic ZOO Playground 2, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Best consumed after dinner or drinks, Ed runs every night from 21:50 to 22:40. Tickets are £12 (£10 concession) on weekdays and £13 (£11 concession) on weekends.

MEET THE COMPANY

Rosie Parrish (Ed): Rosie is currently in her first year studying history at the University of Cambridge. Recent acting credits include starring as Rachel Crabbe in a production of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS at the ADC. She has experience in directing as well as acting and also enjoyed her time as a technician on the ETG European tour of HAMLET. Music has always played a large part in Rosie’s life; highlights include being a choral director of a 40-person choir and a big band singer, performing with both the band and choir in Essex, York, Barcelona, and Lake Garda, Italy. This is her first time at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Stella Williamson (Ensemble): Stella is a first-year student studying Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge. This is her first time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and she’s very excited to be here. Recently, she originated the role of Mary of Nazareth in a new musical showcased in Cambridge about the three Marys in Jesus’ life and is currently recording for its concept album to be released on Spotify. Additionally, she performs in a student band.

Alex Mentzel (Co-Writer and Director; Ensemble): Alex is a current PhD student at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar. Recent credits include co-directing and co-writing the augmented reality performance piece FAUST SHOP (Cambridge Centre for Digital Humanities) and Jack McCracken in A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS (ADC Theatre), Tobias Ragg in SWEENEY TODD(Eugene Opera), Gabriel Conroy in James Joyce’s THE DEAD(UO Theatre), a Dalton Academy Warbler on Fox’s Glee, and Quinn Baxter on NBC’s Grimm. He has taught musical theatre, improv comedy workshops, and choreography to students in the US and in Europe.

Annabel King (Musical Director): Annabel is a first-year music student at Fitzwilliam College. She is primarily a pianist but enjoys singing too. In her first year at Cambridge, she was the assistant musical director of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (CUMTS, 2023), and she looks forward to musical directing the CUADC/Footlights Pantomime next year. She does beginners’ commercial dancing in her spare time and has a weakness for Diet Coke and pop culture.

Bella Cavicchi (Co-Producer): Bella is a theatre artist, educator, and freelance producer. She is an alumna of Brown University and the University of Cambridge, having taken a particular focus at both institutions on the radical possibilities of devising theatre with young people. As a producer, recent credits include STRANGE CONTAGIONS (Camden People’s Theatre, 2023),  RUBBERNECKS (Deadweight Theatre, 2023), and NYAMAKALA: AN AFRICAN STORY (Theatre Peckham, 2023). She was also a member of the Almeida’s Young Producers Cohort in Fall 2022, currently serves on Boundless Theatre’s Advisory Group, and otherwise spends her time teaching drama at a secondary school just outside of London.

Katie Kasperson (Co-Producer): Katie is a writer and photographer based in Cambridge, UK. She attended the College of William & Mary and the University of Cambridge where she studied psychology and education, respectively. Her previous theatre credits include directing AN OPEN BOOK (Corpus Christi Playroom, 2022). In her spare time, Katie can be found wandering local gardens, drinking green tea, shopping for journals, or logging films on Letterboxd.

James Carroll (Co-Writer and Director): James is a speechwriter and political consultant. He was previously director of broadcast at a talent agency. He has produced and appeared in sketch shows with Grad Life at the Canal Cafe Theatre in London and as a pianist for the touring drag troupe Dragtime. He originated the role of Marvin in the workshop production of LOSERVILLE by James Bourne and Elliot Davis, which went on to be nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Not Yet Home (www.notyethome.co.uk) helps to develop books, campaigns, television, theatre and podcasts.

TICKETS 

Some of our rewards on this page come with tickets, so please consider supporting the show by giving what you can! You can also buy tickets from the Fringe box office.