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 Hamish Lloyd Barnes to learn more about his show Stage Presence
What can you tell me about your show?
Stage Presence is a character comedy show set in a haunted theatre the night it gets demolished where I play all of the ghosts, from pouting leading men to annoying musical theatre kids, and some of the objects… As the show evolves a mystery at the centre of the building’s past begins to reveal itself and the audience watch as the ghosts and objects struggle to tie up their loose ends before it’s too late!
Stage Presence is a character comedy show set in a haunted theatre the night it gets demolished where I play all of the ghosts, from pouting leading men to annoying musical theatre kids, and some of the objects… As the show evolves a mystery at the centre of the building’s past begins to reveal itself and the audience watch as the ghosts and objects struggle to tie up their loose ends before it’s too late!
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
My show is a mash-up of all the styles of work I really like! I’d say it’s primarily character comedy with elements of clown, stand up, theatre and Buffon. Plus, there’s a full musical number.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Mm… there have been a few pivotal moments. Originally I was trying to make a show about 1 character who was the ghost of an actor and I always in the back of my mind thought that a good idea for a second show if the first went well would be to do a ghost cabaret with different performers who all played different dead performers. One day, I was feeling bored of my original idea and thought - why don’t I just do that on my own? Suddenly I came up with like 4 new characters in a few days.
Mm… there have been a few pivotal moments. Originally I was trying to make a show about 1 character who was the ghost of an actor and I always in the back of my mind thought that a good idea for a second show if the first went well would be to do a ghost cabaret with different performers who all played different dead performers. One day, I was feeling bored of my original idea and thought - why don’t I just do that on my own? Suddenly I came up with like 4 new characters in a few days.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Set in a theatre about to be demolished, amongst the silliness the show also expounds the importance of protecting creative spaces. In a year where the Keep It Fringe fund has been drastically cut and it’s harder and harder to make work, it feels very pertinent to me.
Set in a theatre about to be demolished, amongst the silliness the show also expounds the importance of protecting creative spaces. In a year where the Keep It Fringe fund has been drastically cut and it’s harder and harder to make work, it feels very pertinent to me.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
With great difficulty! My show is very physical (I play 10 characters!) so I’m going to make sure I’m working on my fitness ahead of going. Mentally, I’m trying to just enjoy the process and not think too much about what other people are doing.
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?
I would give them an Ouija board and spell out come see my show. With a wink emoji. Do Ouija boards do emojis?
I would give them an Ouija board and spell out come see my show. With a wink emoji. Do Ouija boards do emojis?
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
A vocal steamer. Going to need that!
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
I have never done a solo show before so I would deem success as people coming and enjoying the show! And me having a good time doing it.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I can’t wait to see Em Humble’s show Lady of the Lakes! As well as Rosalie Minnitt’s new Clementine hour.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Go to Frankensteins….
Go to Frankensteins….
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
More gloves than I expected.
What keeps you inspired?
Reading books or watching films has kept me really inspired when making this show. I’ve been really inspired by lots of Golden Age films throughout the process - namely Sunset Boulevard, Gaslight, and Casablanca. I was also really inspired by Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride early on.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I hope people feel like they’ve been transported to another world for an hour and had a great time! I also think I’ve made a show which is deliberately quite timeless and about the importance of live performance - so I hope it encourages people to go to shows more.
When and where can people see the show?
Hamish Lloyd Barnes: Stage Presence plays 5th - 30th Aug at Underbelly Bristol Square.
Tickets are available from https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/events/event/hamish-lloyd-barnes-stage-presence
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