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 Alexander Bennett about his show All It Takes.
 |
| Photo by Ollie Craig |
What can you tell me about your show?
My show is about the experience of working hard to achieve something. It has a great bit about meal deals in it.
My show is about the experience of working hard to achieve something. It has a great bit about meal deals in it.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
An emotional man grapples with existential dread plus songs.
An emotional man grapples with existential dread plus songs.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I pride myself on being very emotionally honest in my shows, and I realised there was a huge aspect of my emotional life that I never spoke about on stage. This show grew from working out how to be honest about this one particular thing in a way that was funny and benefitted the audience.
I pride myself on being very emotionally honest in my shows, and I realised there was a huge aspect of my emotional life that I never spoke about on stage. This show grew from working out how to be honest about this one particular thing in a way that was funny and benefitted the audience.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
The core thought within it might be useful given how deeply fucked everything is.
The core thought within it might be useful given how deeply fucked everything is.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I will spiritually douche so that the festival can ‘do its thing’ to my soul.
I will spiritually douche so that the festival can ‘do its thing’ to my soul.
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?
One of those buzzer things that you get in some restaurants when your table/food is ready, have it go off 10 mins before my show - someone will make this viable someday
One of those buzzer things that you get in some restaurants when your table/food is ready, have it go off 10 mins before my show - someone will make this viable someday
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
Insoles. A LIFE SAVER.
Insoles. A LIFE SAVER.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
My career ascending to heights hitherto unthought of and the destruction of all my enemies. Am I not meant to say things like that?
My career ascending to heights hitherto unthought of and the destruction of all my enemies. Am I not meant to say things like that?
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Off the top of my head, I think Alex Franklin might be about to have her moment, and she’s very funny, and Sam Ely’s show as Basil Crumbwick is going to be great.
Off the top of my head, I think Alex Franklin might be about to have her moment, and she’s very funny, and Sam Ely’s show as Basil Crumbwick is going to be great.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
The graveyard. Very atmospheric in the early hours of the morning and a healthy reminder of one’s importance.
The graveyard. Very atmospheric in the early hours of the morning and a healthy reminder of one’s importance.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
I probably could I imagine
I probably could I imagine
What keeps you inspired?
The shows I see at the Edinburgh fringe continue to keep me hopeful there are artists out there who really care about giving their audience something worthwhile and pushing their artform further.
The shows I see at the Edinburgh fringe continue to keep me hopeful there are artists out there who really care about giving their audience something worthwhile and pushing their artform further.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I wouldn’t like to outline that directly, but I’d like them to have at least one tune stuck in their head.
I wouldn’t like to outline that directly, but I’d like them to have at least one tune stuck in their head.
When and where can people see the show?
Banshee Labyrinth Cinema Room, 8th - 30th August (not 17th) @ 2.40pm, and then following that a series of low-rent nightclub spots.
Banshee Labyrinth Cinema Room, 8th - 30th August (not 17th) @ 2.40pm, and then following that a series of low-rent nightclub spots.
Alexander Bennett
‘All It Takes’
14:40 | 8th - 30th (not 17th) | Banshee Labyrinth Cinema Room
‘All It Takes’
14:40 | 8th - 30th (not 17th) | Banshee Labyrinth Cinema Room
 |
| Photo by Ollie Craig |
Post a Comment