#Interview with academy award film director, Guy Trevellyan on movie, Plastic Surgery by Lou #plasticsurgery #GuyTrevellyan #AnnaPopplewell #DanielIngs #plasticpollution #thriller

Interview with Guy Trevellyan

Interview by Louise Cannon -Bookmarks and Stages

Guy Trevellyan is a film director who is having a lot of success with short film, Plastic Surgery, a film that highlights plastic pollution in an original way.
He has won Best Thriller at the Academy Award, had a sell-out screening at the Glasgow Frightfest and more… He has also worked with well known directors, Wes Anderson and Greta Gerwig.
We talk about the film’s originality, the stella cast, setting up Nice Guy Pictures and its goals, his next film and more…

Let’s give a warm welcome to Guy Trevellyan as we begin the interview…

What or who inspired you to become a Film Director from being an Assistant Director, learning from Wes Anderson, Greta Gerwig among others?

You’ve hit the nail on the head here! It was indeed directors like Wes, Greta and of course my childhood favourites like Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott. However, my main inspiration came from where I grew up near the Bourne Woods in Surrey. This became a popular film set ever since they shot the iconic Gladiator open battle sequence and I used to cycle to the woods after school with friends to watch whatever magical production was filming. This truly ignited a cinematic dream in me since I was a kid, and I’ve been chasing that ever since. One day I hope to film in the Bourne Woods and go full circle with my own film. I did shoot The Witcher season 2, way back when in the woods as an Assistant Director which was quite the career highlight for me, going home to where I used to watch them film as a kid. Incredible.

Plastic Surgery is enjoying a lot of success just now, including winning Best Thriller at the Academy Award qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and a sold-out screening at the Glasgow Frightfest.
What is the impact on your career and how did you celebrate this success?

It’s been a crazy journey, and I never thought it would happen to be completely honest. You never create something with festivals in mind; you just make what you feel is true to you and tell the story that you want to tell. It was quite a shock being selected to Hollyshorts and winning was just a dream come true. As this was my first film there are always nerves, making the creative plunge after being an assistant director, you are always asking yourself; was this the right decision? However, this whole experience has given me the confidence that I do have a voice, and I have stories to tell. I am so grateful to all the festival programmers who selected us and all the public who came to watch and support independent film. It’s had a massive impact, getting signed by an agent is probably the biggest but also the networking. Meeting so many like minded directors, writers, producers at festivals has opened so many doors for me. In terms of how I celebrated, well, I guess I shot another film! I love my work, so maybe I had a glass of wine while writing the next one!

It’s a rather different type of plastic surgery, Dr. Terra performs on her patients, it’s finding bits of actual plastic inside people that started with a small plastic fork and evolves into finding plastic shopping bags, bottles, six-pack rings, toys, food packaging, fishing nets and even PPE equipment. How important is it to highlight plastic pollution and what inspired the use of humans to have it within their bodies instead of the usual birds and mammals?

Highlighting plastic pollution is extremely important because it effects not only our natural world, marine life and mother nature, but also ourselves. Our health and future generations are affected by plastic waste and microplastics, seeping into our bodies through the food we eat, air we breathe, water we drink and even the clothes we wear! It’s important for people to know this, because it directly effects our lives and the lives of our children. It’s sadly reality that inspired the visual use of everyday plastic seeping from within our bodies, with the proof of microplastics inside us. In terms of the imagery and prosthetics this was heavily inspired by marine and bird life which had died from plastic consumption, trapped or suffocated by netting and waste. After working with the Ocean Agency I was given a rare insight into the true horrors beneath the waves and seeing how our use of plastic has polluted the natural world. But when I dived into deeper research, I started learning about its effect on our health, I was stunned. The medical research which has gone into this is truly terrifying, like studies from the British Heart Foundation and more worldwide. I had to create something which would bring this to global attention, increasing our awareness of the subject.

The infection spreads from patients to the medical staff and a decision for pregnant Dr. Terra has to be made, whether to save herself or more patients.
How easily or challenging was it to find a conclusion to this profound dilemma?

This was a great writing challenge. Whenever you write something which has an environmental angle you can often get lost in the wider narrative so it’s important to hone an idea down to something simple and for me is a character driven story, someone more relatable. Putting real characters into surreal worlds is really appealing to me and creates interesting obstacles and conflicts along the way. Ultimately Dr Terra represents mother nature, so I wanted us to really root for her, and in that sense, I always had an ending in mind. Which was mother nature making a choice whether to continue saving us or save herself. I think this question will be answered sooner than we think…
The look at the end is a look of warning, it’s says; look at me, look at what I am about to do. I knew the film was always going to end that way and I think it was important to have the titles at the end here to bring us back to reality after watching such a vivid and visually striking world.

You were directing a stellar cast, including Anna Popplewell from The Chronicles of Narnia film fame. What is it like to direct actors who have been child/teen actors and are now adult?

To be honest, I was blessed to have Anna on this film (hence why I used her on my next film!). Anna was extremely supportive and loved the script from the very beginning. On our first call she revealed she was going to be 6/7 months pregnant during filming so I re-wrote the script around her and changed the story so it followed a pregnant mother on her last shift before stopping work to start this next chapter in her life. The script evolved so naturally having Anna onboard and that collaboration is what made the film so impactful and relatable. Anna bought a level of experience and knowledge which really helped bring out her performance and the fact she was actually pregnant clearly had a baring on how emotionally driven her performance was.

Following on with the stellar cast, there is also Daniel Ings from Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Love Sick, The Gentlemen etc. What was it like to direct someone who has played quite a range of roles?

Dan was fantastic, and he was the voice of our Intercom! It was easy to direct Dan as we’d worked together before so it felt more like friends catching up with some hospital dialogue thrown in the mix! He’s an incredibly talented actor and so proud to see how successful he’s been recently. Actor’s like Dan just make my job easier as he’s so open to trying things and going out of our comfort zone in order to expand and get various takes. It all helps us in post when putting the final edit together.

You set up Nice Guy Pictures in 2024 to raise awareness about social and human issues. What inspired you to create this company and do you find more people are becoming aware of the issues you cover by watching your films?

I really hope they do! I always wanted to create cinematic films which challenge our understanding of a human or social issue. I really want an audience to come out of a screening with tons of questions, thought provoking work which challenges our understanding of a particular subject or better of worse. With Plastic Surgery the highlight was partnering with Kids Against Plastic and being able to create a lesson plan we can take to kids around the UK – showcasing the film and then active debates around the subject is really important for children to grow their environmental reach.

Your next film is “The Act of Learning”, covering your personal experience of undiagnosed dyslexia at school set in the mid 1990’s around the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995. What did you personally gain from making this film and what do you hope others will gain from watching it?

This was a personal film for me, something I battled with and had to overcome in my own way. I think I gained a full circle feeling, that I’m harnessing the gifts of my dyslexia in my film career. I have a very visual imagination and being able to make this film really let me go to town! The film is made for kids with dyslexia and the mentors which help unlock the sometimes-hidden potential we all have as human beings, with or without dyslexia. I want kids to feel like they have that power and confidence to see Dyslexia as a gift, not a disability. To understand that difference is beautiful. I also wanted to make a film which highlights the work of our incredible learning support teachers across the country who help kids like me. I think it’s an incredibly selfless act to become a teacher and dedicate your life to helping others. With that in mind this film is also inspired by my learning support teacher Miss Morrison, who is the reason I got through school with any grades at all, who gave me the confidence to keep going and work hard, and made me realise I had a future and dyslexia wasn’t going to limit me.

Maureen Lipman joins All Star Cast in Timely Transfer to London Soho Theatre from EdFringe for Suicide Prevention Play, Right Before I Go by Stan Zimmerman #MaureenLipman #sohotheatre #RightBeforeIGo #RBIG #StanZimmerman #SuicidePrevention #WorldSuicidePreventionMonth #theatre #play

Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit Right before I go announces London transfer of suicide prevention play, by Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls writer Stan Zimmerman with all-star cast

The limited London run will mark Suicide Awareness Month in September, including performances on World Suicide Prevention Day – 10 September

Maureen Lipman has today been announced to be joining the cast of Right before I go for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September at Soho Theatre.

From Stan Zimmerman (writer of Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls), Right before I go will transfer to London’s Soho Theatre for a limited time from 5-10 September following its current hit run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

“I’m beyond thrilled that Maureen Lipman will be joining our company. My late mother turned me onto Agony, which I watched religiously. It truly shaped me as a budding, young TV comedy writer. It will be an especially emotional performance, since 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day,” said writer Stan Zimmerman.
A star-studded cast will join Maureen Lipman, including Iz Hesketh (Tip Toe, Renegade Nell), Dominique Moore (Horrible Histories), Claire-Marie Hall (Operation Mincemeat) and Emrhys Cooper (Nosferatu, Coronation Street) and Stan Zimmerman himself, directed by Abigail Morris (Kindertransport, Colder Than Here).

The suicide awareness play highlights the raw struggles of people from all walks of life that have been impacted by suicide, using real suicide notes of celebrities, veterans, bullied teens, those identifying as LGBTQ+, and those who have survived attempts.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and the play is part of awareness raising activities during the month, including World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.

The play is followed by a talkback between the cast, audience and a local mental health professional.

★ ★ ★ ★ “It should feel morbid, perhaps even voyeuristic, to peer into these private, tragic worlds, and all credit to Zimmerman because it is neither.” – The Scotsman

From Stan Zimmerman (writer of Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls), Right before I go. will transfer to London’s Soho Theatre for a limited time from 5-10 September following its hit run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

A star-studded cast including Maureen Lipman (Educating Rita, Agony), Iz Hesketh (Tip Toe, Renegade Nell), Dominique Moore (Horrible Histories), Claire-Marie Hall (Operation Mincemeat), Emrhys Cooper (Nosferatu, Coronation Street), Gerard McCarthy (The Fall), Paul Bigley (Shakespeare in Love, The Danish Girl) and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Kinky Boots, Titanique) will join Stan Zimmerman himself, directed by Abigail Morris (Kindertransport, Colder Than Here).

The suicide awareness play highlights the raw struggles of people from all walks of life that have been impacted by suicide. Right before I go. uses real suicide notes of celebrities, veterans, bullied teens, those identifying as LGBTQ+, and those who have survived attempts. The play is followed by a talkback between the cast, audience and a local mental health professional.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and the play is part of awareness raising activities during the month, including World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.

“After the suicide death of my good friend, Kevin Gill, I was at a loss about how to process this. Seeing so much shame around the topic, I decided to create a play in the vein of The Vagina Monologues, easily produced with actors on stools, reading the script from music stands. My hope is that this will create much needed discussion about a very complicated issue. I’m thrilled that London audiences will get the chance to see the show straight after our Edinburgh festival run, particularly during September, which is World Suicide Awareness Month,” said writer and actor, Stan Zimmerman.

★★★★★ “Compassionate without becoming sentimental, informative without feeling didactic, and emotionally devastating without exploiting its subject.” – Elemental Theatre

★★★★★ “A beautiful, devastating, unprecedented journey into the darkest depths of the human experience.” – Theatre Tradge

★ ★ ★ ★ Merv’s Pick of the Fringe

Right before I go. has travelled across the USA, including a run in NYC at The Tank, featuring stars including Vanessa Williams, Olly Alexander, Christine Taylor and Patrick Page. At Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Stan Zimmerman was joined by Wendie Malick and Emily Kuroda in a critically acclaimed run. The London transfer is produced by Rodrigo Jorge for Dreamatorium Entertainment, and co-produced by Joan Lane for Wild Thyme Productions.

Tickets for the Soho Theatre run can be purchased here: https://sohotheatre.com/events/right-before-i-go/

“A special piece of theatre.” – A Young(ish) Perspective

#Review of Language of Angels – Ella Blake Thriller by Olly Jarvis @HobeckBooks #OllyJarvis #Thriller

Language of Angels
By Olly Jarvis

The Language of Angels will make you sit up and wonder what direction we are heading in, neatly packaged in a tightly written in this next Barrister Ella Blake Thriller.

The big question posed in Language of Angels is “Have we reached the tipping point when AI comes the master?” It perhaps is a deep question for all of humanity to ponder as we are no longer sitting on the cusp of this technology being unleashed and it grows fast. Even more tightly written and faster paced by the genius human that is Olly Jarvis, is a gripping thriller with the biggest challenge Barrister, Ella Blake has had to face, to find the ultimate formula for life itself for the sake of her daughter Lizzie who becomes mysteriously unwell.

There is also a teenager, dubbed a genius on a burglary charge for stealing books from Cambridge University. Sounds simple to solve, but what emerges is not so as there’s more to this chess playing genius…

Nothing is quite as it seems in this darkly twisty in this timely thriller with mathematicians at a symposium, large political powers and more at play. There’s quite a meaty lot of activity at stake for humanity and can she save her daughter, Lizzy?

The entire book is well considered and feels deeply researched, with also using his experience of being a criminal defense barrister.

I highly recommend Olly Jarvis’s thrillers, including this latest one.

Blurb

Have we reached the tipping point when AI becomes the master? Who holds the key that will prevent this power shift and is the answer in our history?

Barrister Ella Blake accepts a simple brief to defend a teenage genius on a charge of burglary – stealing books from a Cambridge University library.

Distracted by her daughter Lizzie’s sudden illness, nothing is what it seems. The case soon draws Ella into her greatest challenge – to find the ultimate formula – for life itself.

Ella’s frantic search through the historical clues risks not only her own life, but that of everyone close to her. Who are the shadowy entities in pursuit, thwarting Ella at every turn?

Winning is the only way Ella can save Lizzie – and humanity – but at what cost?

Language of Angels is an epic and gripping thriller by the brilliant Olly Jarvis that asks a question that has been guiding humanity since time began – what is the theory of everything?

#Review of A History of Paper starring Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson @alancummingreally #ShirleyHenderson @pitlochryft @dundeerep #AHistoryOfPaper

A History of Paper
by Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams
starring Alan Cumming
Shirley Henderson

A Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Dundee Rep production

review written by Louise Cannon

A History of Paper is absorbing, poignant and one of the most tender well-observed love stories to be told on a stage. It’s a flawless performance!

The minimalist staging suits the musical about a man and a woman falling in love and works better for this play than one that is large sets and glitz. One piano and two actors on stage, some undramatic, yet beautiful lighting and few props.
As Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson sing, their voices complement each other extremely well.

Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson make you love and deeply invest in the characters they play.

The year is 1999. There’s a box with a van (artistically emphasised in the play). Inside the box with a van are letters, receipts and a Pizza Express menu. Junk to others, but treasures and memories to behold…

Time is re-wound to the reminiscing of simpler times of of the 90’s when letter writing was a thing. Observe the tenses used in the conversations and narratives.
The construction sparks questions fairly early on, that do get answered by the end.
The chemistry between Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson is palpable.

Radiohead playing too loudly, causing the two neighbours to meet, is the start of the unfolding of a love story. From there we see dating at Pizza Express and nuanced body-language as well as the flamboyancy of joy of that first flush of love. There is also the sweetness of the Japanese art-form of oragami and chat that is sometimes nuanced, sometimes coming together and at other times, a bit awkward and sitting at juxtapositions. It’s all rather naturally performed.

A magical romantic new year’s eve on the beach, where a beautiful light show of lanterns emerges.

Woven cleverly into this love story are also the conversations of the time, such as climate change. People in the 90’s of many ages were practically prophesying what was going to happen and now as we see, getting it right. Amusingly and thankfully some things that didn’t turn out to be true like”Millennium Bug,” before returning a romantic time that oozes enough love to capture anyone’s heart.

The noughties arrive and there is an almighty twist that is so poignantly and so tenderly played out as everything changes but still ensures beauty and hope isn’t forgotten about in the most surprising of ways.

The play poignantly poses a question about what scraps/letters etc would you keep?

By the end there was a well-deserved standing ovation.

You can catch A History of Paper at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 9 August to 12 September 2026, before transferring to Dundee Rep Theatre from 16–19 September.

Check out the link here: https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/whats-on/a-history-of-paper/

#Interview with comedian Liam McGough on #EdFringe show Two Guys, One GCSE – A Dave Vaughn and Liam McGough Production #JustTheTonic #TheMashHouse #MixItUp #TwoGuysOneGCSE

Interview with Liam McGough

hosted by Bookmarks and Stages –
Louise Cannon

I recently interviewed comedian, Liam McGough, rather timely given there’s a little bit more conversation around the working class. Coincidentally he and I are both of this class. We talked about his comedy show, Two Guys One GCSE. He has an agenda and that is to make people laugh. He has answered questions candidly giving a little bit about his life, the quite frankly strange attitude some middle class audiences have when they see him. We also talk about overcoming challenges and who inspired him. Discover too, whether awards help a performance or not… Ultimately, the show is just about making people laugh, that’s what is most important to him, as you will find out in the interview. He steers away from politics and the like and even his title is described as “a silly play on words”. After the interview, you can find out where to follow him and how you can see his show at Just The Tonic venue – The Mash House, see further details after the interview.

Let’s warmly welcome Liam McGough to Bookmarks and Stages

The name Two Guys One GCSE is a silly play on words, referencing an unwatchable video that went around when I was at school.

It was a unique time, pre-social media, and it had its own sense of humour. The sheer ignorance of that time, when looked back on today, is amusing to me.

It was lads and ladettes, lads’ mags and gossip mags. Greasy curtains for boys and rock-hard hairspray for girls. At the time, being brash and stupid was celebrated.

I was a late developer and really struggled with learning. I was, bottom set for everything and in special classes for disruptive pupils and those falling behind with their learning. Some teachers just thought I had no future, and others sent me out of class without even bothering to check.

But even though I knew I couldn’t keep up academically, I had a strong sense that I was smart and that people just couldn’t see it because my brilliance was lost amongst the 10,000 annoying questions and statements I would make.

To summarise, I was, and am, smart. The style of learning just wasn’t suited to people who think like me. But whether I was a write-off or simply misunderstood, I had the ability to make people laugh — teachers and students alike. That helped me survive school.

So, when trying to make people laugh with an Edinburgh show, what better time to talk about than the period when you developed your sense of humour?

You aim is to tell jokes and stories with the only agenda to make people laugh. So many comedians look at health or politics, so was this a conscious decision and what led you to this?

My intention is to give people a break from having other people’s views forced upon them. It’s one thing to shine a light on the darkness in this world and another to use the stage as a soapbox.

Too often, comedians think they know best and that it’s their responsibility, as one of the great minds of our time, to “educate” people. Firstly, I think this discredits people’s intelligence, and secondly, how does a group that famously are not considered titans of industry, have the most to say about how that money goes on to be distributed?

My views are very liberal and fall left of centre, but I find it uncomfortable to hear both sides be so sure of everything and say it with such aggression. I’m yet to meet a single person who has read everything there is to read on any one subject.

So, when faced with a world so broken by disagreement, wouldn’t it be nice to take a break for a moment and focus on something we all share: laughter?

Who or what inspired you to be a stand-up comedian?

This is harder to answer, as many of my peers are like encyclopedias of information about great comics and their material. But the truth is, I’m not a huge consumer of stand-up comedy.

There are people I find funny, but I don’t have specific comedians I particularly follow. I like hearing funny people chat with each other — people like Norm Macdonald, Bernie Mac and Martin Lawrence. When I’ve heard them on talking-head shows, or heard stories about them having dinner together and chatting at speed, that’s the thing that interests me.

Making people laugh is number two. Being around people who make me laugh is number one.

You’re part of the working class. What challenges have you faced to become a comedian as a direct result of being working class and how are you overcoming them?

Generally speaking, I benefit from being working class and having an accent.

But there are times when certain working-class subjects are expected of you, while chatting about books seems less interesting to a middle-class audience.

They want me to talk about having a fight in a mine while drunk.

Luckily for me, I have a business, and that affords me the ability to put on a show. But if I didn’t, Edinburgh might be totally off the table for me.

You have been named as “one to watch” and also won King Gong at the Comedy Store, Comedy Knockout and semi-finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year.
How does that feel, has this helped your career and where do you see your career going next?

I don’t think any of those things have done anything for my fledgling comedy career, per se, but they do win me the congratulations of my peers.

Doing them puts you in a situation where you’re tested against other people who are well received, and I think that makes you want to do better. You are the sum of the company you keep at the end of the day.

I would say I have been overlooked, but I would also say that others seem to be better at the admin, and at this stage, that’s what gets you booked regularly at the harder-to-get spots.

I’m hoping I’ll get so good one day that I become undeniable. But that’s something that will take a lot of work.

Where can people follow you on social media?

My Instagram is @liammcgoughtreeguy

My TikTok is @liamlol

Find details for tickets to Liam McGough’s show here on the EdFringe website:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/two-guys-one-gcse

#Interview by Lou – What does Comedian, Robyn Perkins and Psychologist, Dr. Keenan have in common? Free #EdFringe show – Shrink Wrapped A Psychologist Analysis Live On Stage. @lhcomedy #Hoots #Apex #WhatsOnEdinburgh #ShrinkWrapped #Comedy #Psychology #RobynPerkins #DrCarolyneKeenan #ComedyForTheCurious #LifeHacks

Interview hosted by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages with
Comedian, Robyn Perkins
and Psychologist, Dr. Carolyne Keenan
Shrink Wrapped: A Psychologist Analysis Live On Stage

Hoot 1 at Hoots @ The Apex
Grassmarket
9pm until 30th August

Welcome, Robyn Perkins and Dr. Carolyne Keenan to Bookmarks and Stages.
Thank you for your time in answering all my questions in an in-depth, fascinating manner.

Robyn Perkins is a multi-award winning comedian with hit shows such as Comedy for the Curious. She is said to like investigating life. She tackles big emotionally charged subjects and brings it back to the audience with relatable humour and anecdotes.

Dr. Carolyne Keenan is a fully-qualified, licenced, registered psychologist who is founder and clinical director @ Lotus Psychology Ltd. She has also featured on BBC Radio 1 in programmes such as the popular, Life Hacks, The Independent, Psychology Today and more…

The idea of bringing comedians on-stage together in a group therapy type of scenario, with a psychologist really analysing them, sounds a fascinating and original show. It’s a pleasure to interview you both about this, covering what you hope audiences will get from this, what psychologists really think of clients and so much more… The answers truly are fascinating and insightful.
Firstly, we will check out the synopsis and then on to the Q&A before details on where you can catch Shrink Wrapped in Edinburgh.

Ever been deep in a therapy session and gone: I want to know what the hell she’s thinking? Well now’s your chance… with comedians in the hot seat. Join award-winning comedian Robyn Perkins and real-life psychologists (Dr Ruchi Sinha, Dr Carolyne Keenan or Dr Edel McGlanaghy) for the most entertaining therapy session you’ll ever witness. Guest comedians perform their best material, before submitting themselves to gentle psychological probing in front of a live audience. Don’t worry, we’ve got more safe words than a BDSM convention.

Without further ado, let’s begin with the questions I have for you:

Robyn, What gave you the idea to have a comedy show around the topic of therapy and then add in real psychologists into the mix?

It actually started in Adelaide when I had one of our psychologists on Comedy for the Curious (my science comedy panel show, also in Edinburgh). During the show, the psychologist (Dr. Ruchi Sinha) just read all of the comedian guests, from a psychological point of view. After the show, we chatted about how that would make an incredible show on its own, and the raw idea was born. From there, I have developed the idea into a full-blown panel show, developing the structure into what it is today.

Dr. Keenan, how did you become involved in this show and how is it being in the mix of a comedy show and at the same time giving your psychological opinion in front of a live audience?

I was invited to be part of Shrink Wrapped because I had already been a guest expert on Robyn’s show Comedy for the Curious. We had been working together for a while when Robyn came up with the concept for Shrink Wrapped. I’ve always believed psychology shouldn’t just stay in clinic rooms or textbooks, it should be part of everyday life. When Robyn described the show and the concept of combining comedy with psychological insights, I thought it was brilliant.

Being part of a comedy show is exciting and I love meeting all the comedians. It’s different from my therapy work but it uses the same skills- listening deeply, noticing patterns, and reflecting back what I hear. The difference is that on stage, we’re exploring these insights with humour, warmth, and openness in front of a live audience. I love that it makes psychology accessible and fun, while also highlighting the very real human truths that comedy often touches on.

Dr. Keenan, can you give an example of what do psychologists think of their clients, since that is a little of what’s billed in the show that makes it sound so interesting?

People often wonder what psychologists really think about their clients. The reality is, we’re human and often I’m thinking very similar things to what you might be:

“I wish they could see how great they are.”
“They really need to get rid of this idiot, they’d be so much happier.”
“I wish they would focus less on how much their favourite influencer has helped them and give the sessions we have been having some credit!”

In Shrink Wrapped, the audience gets a playful glimpse into how psychologists analyse behaviour and language. For example, a comedian might make a joke about not feeling good enough growing up and I might explore whether that contributed to their attraction to a job where they are constantly seeking immediate and positive approval from an audience. It’s done with kindness and humour though, not judgement, which is what makes it so engaging.

Robyn, Shrink Wrapped has done hugely well at the Adelaide Fringe having sell-out shows. What can people in Edinburgh expect and what do you hope they take away with them at the end of the show?

The concept of Shrink Wrapped seems to intrigue most people, but I think it is the structure behind it that gives the show it’s depth. I have worked with a few psychologists to refine a list of topics we explore across the shows (eg. Conflict, Trust, Romantic Relationships, etc.). Each show tackles a few of the topics in a group therapy session between 3 comedians and a psychologist.

Because the discussion is based in real therapy concepts, the show inherently flips between serious and funny, emotional and light hearted. Equally, I have chosen comedians who are, by nature, quite vulnerable on stage so the chat will occasionally reach emotional moments. However, with 3 comedians on stage at one time, this also means we are desperate to crack a joke if it gets too intense. It is the ebb and the flow of these moments that really makes the show special.

Additionally, since we are talking about real events and real people, we have found that audiences relate to at least one of the comedians on stage, in an ‘I do that’ or ‘that’s me’ kind of way. We are hoping that this can also spark conversations about mental health in a positive and fun way. I know using humour to explore mental health is not a new concept, but watching 3 comedians talk about their mental health in the form of a live therapy session is new territory we are excited to be exploring.

This year in Edinburgh, we are doing the Free Fringe (free entry with donations after the show), and while you cannot book ahead, based on feedback we have had about the show, we are expecting to be just as busy as Adelaide.

Dr. Keenan, what do you hope the audience will have learnt and take away with them by the end of the show?

I hope the audience leaves with:

A sense of relief – realising we all have quirks and struggles, and humour can be a brilliant way to explore them.
A new curiosity about themselves and others – understanding that behaviour always makes sense when you look deeper.
A feeling of connection – seeing comedians open up about their lives helps us feel less alone in our own messy human experiences.

Ultimately, I want people to feel entertained, uplifted, and inspired to reflect on their own lives with more compassion and humour.

For both Dr. Keenan and Robyn, how did you convince 8 comedians to be on stage doing some form of group therapy with 3 psychologists present. Was this an easy or hard task to do?

Dr. KEENAN: I think comedians are naturally curious and brave, they’re used to being vulnerable on stage and they quite like talking about themselves! When they realised this show wasn’t about picking them apart but about exploring their material and personalities in a fun, supportive way, they were on board.

Also, Robyn’s energy and the framing of the show as “science comedy” rather than “group therapy” helped. It wasn’t about fixing them – it was about exploring some of their material through a psychological lens. That made it feel safe and exciting rather than threatening.

ROBYN PERKINS: Similar to what Dr. Keenan has said – as a comedian we love talking about ourselves! But more than that, comedians are curious by nature. I have been overwhelmed by the number of comedians who have asked to be on the show. It’s been fantastic! No convincing necessary!

For both Robyn and Dr. Keenan, what did you both learn from doing this type of show that you would take forward into your careers moving forward and would you do something similar again in the future?

Dr. KEENAN: For me, it reinforced how powerful humour is in making psychological concepts accessible. People learn best when they’re engaged and laughing. I also learnt that psychology belongs everywhere – not just therapy rooms but in arts, media, and entertainment. I regularly take part in BBC Radio One’s Sunday evening show Life Hacks where we take topics that impact the listeners and explore the psychology behind them. We often have call in questions so I’m comfortable thinking on my feet and making these insights accessible and actionable but doing it in front of a live audience on stage has helped me practice those skills and feel even more comfortable with it.

I’d absolutely love to do something similar again. Bringing psychology to audiences in creative ways is something I’m deeply passionate about, and Shrink Wrapped has been a perfect example of how that can work- long may the show continue!

ROBYN PERKINS: I have learned I probably need to do more therapy! I have actually learned a lot about myself, both from comments about me and my set, but I’ve also learned things from watching others. I am hoping this show continues far into the future.

What made you choose Edinburgh Fringe for Shrink Wrapped and what are your plans for where this show can go next?

I go to the Fringe every year, and do the global festival circuit, so it was a no brainer to bring it to EdFringe! Through at least December, we are performing monthly at Top Secret Comedy Club in London at the moment. We will bring the show back to Australia next year. But also, we are looking to potentially start touring the show around theatres and the rest of the UK. The possibilities are endless!