In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Rachael Milne to learn more about their show, The Devil Wears Primark.
What can you tell me about your show?
The Devil Wears Primark is a dark observational comedy show with emotional honesty, international perspective and gloriously filthy humour. It explores identity, ageing, body image, relationships, freedom and the quiet pressure to follow a traditional life trajectory. It’s sharp, self-aware and brutally honest without taking itself too seriously.
The Devil Wears Primark is a dark observational comedy show with emotional honesty, international perspective and gloriously filthy humour. It explores identity, ageing, body image, relationships, freedom and the quiet pressure to follow a traditional life trajectory. It’s sharp, self-aware and brutally honest without taking itself too seriously.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Intelligent but filthy. Vulnerable but sharp. It’s storytelling and observational comedy with a slightly chaotic international perspective. People often look at me and don’t expect me to talk about the things I do, which probably makes the punchlines land even harder.
Intelligent but filthy. Vulnerable but sharp. It’s storytelling and observational comedy with a slightly chaotic international perspective. People often look at me and don’t expect me to talk about the things I do, which probably makes the punchlines land even harder.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I attended a comedy writing workshop in Lisbon almost by accident and something clicked immediately. As soon as the mic was in my hand, I felt completely at home. I realised comedy was the first thing in years that made me feel fully alive. The show grew from that moment and from realising I had a lot to say about identity, expectations and building a life that doesn’t necessarily look traditional but still feels completely right.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
English-language comedy is becoming increasingly international and Lisbon now has a genuinely thriving comedy scene made up of performers and audiences from all over the world. This show has been shaped in front of audiences made up of dozens of nationalities, which gives it a very different feel from traditional UK circuit comedy. It also feels like the right time culturally for comedy that is honest about ageing, reinvention and contradiction without turning everything into a therapy session.
English-language comedy is becoming increasingly international and Lisbon now has a genuinely thriving comedy scene made up of performers and audiences from all over the world. This show has been shaped in front of audiences made up of dozens of nationalities, which gives it a very different feel from traditional UK circuit comedy. It also feels like the right time culturally for comedy that is honest about ageing, reinvention and contradiction without turning everything into a therapy session.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’m running four preview shows in Lisbon while still working full time, so honestly the preparation has already started. Lisbon in summer is not exactly ideal comedy-conditioning weather, so at the moment it’s a combination of rehearsing, sweating constantly, abstaining from alcohol, prioritising sleep and trying to protect some actual downtime before the chaos of the Fringe begins.
I’m running four preview shows in Lisbon while still working full time, so honestly the preparation has already started. Lisbon in summer is not exactly ideal comedy-conditioning weather, so at the moment it’s a combination of rehearsing, sweating constantly, abstaining from alcohol, prioritising sleep and trying to protect some actual downtime before the chaos of the Fringe begins.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
A margarita with crushed ice and a spicy rim, alongside a handheld fan to cool people down. Which is basically the emotional energy of the show anyway.
A margarita with crushed ice and a spicy rim, alongside a handheld fan to cool people down. Which is basically the emotional energy of the show anyway.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
Probably an industrial-sized water bottle and blind optimism. This is my first Fringe, so ask me again halfway through and I suspect the answer will become far more specific and emotionally charged.
Probably an industrial-sized water bottle and blind optimism. This is my first Fringe, so ask me again halfway through and I suspect the answer will become far more specific and emotionally charged.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Feeling proud of the show creatively, having audiences genuinely connect with it and leaving knowing I built something distinctive and honest. Good reviews would also be lovely because I am still emotionally dependent on external validation. I would love to get invited to do Melbourne Comedy Festival as I lived in Melbourne for years and it is a great spot!
Feeling proud of the show creatively, having audiences genuinely connect with it and leaving knowing I built something distinctive and honest. Good reviews would also be lovely because I am still emotionally dependent on external validation. I would love to get invited to do Melbourne Comedy Festival as I lived in Melbourne for years and it is a great spot!
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
My good friend from my other life in Cádiz, JayG, is bringing a show called Acts of Contrition to the Fringe this year. I wasn’t able to get to Barcelona to see it, so I already have tickets booked for Edinburgh. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/acts-of-contrition
My good friend from my other life in Cádiz, JayG, is bringing a show called Acts of Contrition to the Fringe this year. I wasn’t able to get to Barcelona to see it, so I already have tickets booked for Edinburgh. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/acts-of-contrition
I’m also really interested in seeing more international acts and comedians performing in English as a second language. Some of the most exciting comedy scenes in Europe right now are outside the UK.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Arthur’s Seat. Mainly because after several days at the Fringe, people need fresh air, perspective and a reminder that sunlight still exists.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Filthy. Honest. Sharp. International. Alive.
What keeps you inspired?
Travel, human behaviour, awkward conversations, contradictions, international audiences and people trying very hard to hold themselves together in public.
Travel, human behaviour, awkward conversations, contradictions, international audiences and people trying very hard to hold themselves together in public.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
That there isn’t one correct way to build a life. Also hopefully sore cheeks from laughing.
That there isn’t one correct way to build a life. Also hopefully sore cheeks from laughing.
When and where can people see the show?
The Devil Wears Primark will be performed at:
Le Monde Hotel, Edinburgh Fringe 7th to 14th August, 17:30
The Raging Bull, Edinburgh Fringe 6th to 18th August, 21:00
The Devil Wears Primark will be performed at:
Le Monde Hotel, Edinburgh Fringe 7th to 14th August, 17:30
The Raging Bull, Edinburgh Fringe 6th to 18th August, 21:00
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