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 Joshua Hauville about their show Joshy in Paris.
What can you tell me about your show?
Joshy in Paris is a camp blend of stand up and dance cabaret that retells the story of a gay Aussie trying to make it as a creative superstar in the piss-ridden streets of Paris. Like Emily in Paris, but gay and broke.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It’s an energetic explosion of comedy and colour. People have said it’s like a gay hurricane hitting the stage. There’s chaotic elements, but the punchlines are tried tested and sharp.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Across 2024 and 2025, I was living in Paris for the second time of my life. I had studied there in uni in 2018 for a year and returned in 2024 after quitting corporate ‘for good’ in 2023 in the hopes of pursuing my creative passions and following my dreams.
While in Paris, I truly lived the life of a scrappy, grimy little rat hustling to make a dream come true in a way that made no logical sense: pursuing comedy, acting and filmmaking in a non-English speaking city full of general passive-aggression and cat-like people.
I was performing stand up, theatre and cabaret-style numbers regularly, whilst training in the Meisner technique and hustling to survive in a British restaurant (which is a joke in itself) and flubbing dating life and cultural assimilation to FRANCEEEEE.
Essentially after all of that, I was briefly back in Australia in 2025 when the Melbourne Comedy Festival was on and I realised I had all the elements of my first solo show - comedically retelling the story of a gay Australian trying to make it in the City of Lights, Love and ‘Lympics (I lived there in 2024). So I slapped all my existing shorter sets together, made a show and then have continued to develop it and tour it ever since.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
I have built momentum on this show since debuting a WIP run at Melbourne 2025 and then returning to Paris to workshop, before taking it on an Australian tour to all the big Aussie festivals in 2026. It’s hot, locked, loaded and ready to go.
I am also now removed from the situation of the series - no longer living as a struggling artist in Paris, meaning I can view the comedy of my experiences with even greater objectivity which always makes for a funnier and sharper show. Tragedy and time equals hilarity.
Plus, I did my show in French a few times at the Aussie comedy festivals, meaning doing it in English feels like even more of a breeze for me as a native English speaking Aussie.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Words
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?
Definitely a croissant with my face on it that says “Paris: where fags are chic”.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
My partybox speaker. I have a boombox I take out with me to dance and flyer for my shows and it gets me through any emotional crisis. A disco boogie solves ALL wounds.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Meeting so so many new people, performers, industry and audiences alike. I love how much these festivals allow me to connect with new people, expand my network, expand my skillset and anchor further into my truest dream of living fully as a performer, filmmaker and creative butterfly fluttering around the planet spreading joy and camp clowny fucking nonsense.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Nun slut!!!!! A fellow Australian comedian who at the same venue as me at 6:20pm. Claire is absolutely hilarious, it is a blend of cabaret, clown and storytelling. The title and image should be enough to convince anyone - to see a clowny Nun Slut live in action. I don’t even want to say more because it will spoil the hilarity. Just go and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I have never been, so I would be hoping for the same response - perhaps my bedroom if they’re sexy, fun and down to massage my sore performer body (platonically of course).
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Outrageous, captivating, unpredictable, energetic, croissant.
What keeps you inspired?
Travel, movement and meeting new people in new places. This has been a consistent form of inspiration for me my entire life. Since 18 I have backpacked, lived abroad, learned foreign languages, volunteered in random centres, walked pilgrimage trails, I love soaking up life and leaping to let nets appear. Inspiration never stops with this mentality.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
First and foremost, feeling lighter from deep laughter and joyous fun. Secondly, some inspiration to just be a little more expressive and bold in the pursuit of our deepest dreams, to remember life ain’t so serious and that it’s much better when embraced for all its highs and lows.
When and where can people see the show?
9pm Gilded Balloon Patter House, every night (except Monday 17 and 24).
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/joshy-in-paris
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