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 Deborah Unger about her show The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her.
What can you tell me about your show?
This is my first outing in the solo show world. It took 15 years of writing -- picking it up and putting it down -- and a heck of a lot of mental processing to get to this final product. I had help along the way - most especially with a dramaturg who really helped me refine itl Because the subject is a dense one - MOMS. And there are so many mental traps to maneuver around! Especially if one is telling the truth - which I am more than 90% of the time.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
I am naturally a storyteller and conversationalist (lord, is that even a real word?). So an audience member will experience me talking directly to them - sometimes even asking for agreement! But they will also have the theatrical experience of watching scenes play out. Because in this piece, Mom actually gets equal (well, almost equal) time to speak her mind as well.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I don't know how other people experience their parents - their mother in particular. For me, Mom was such a force of nature that even after I left home, she continued to participate in my life by living in my head. She crops up and sometimes says the meanest things at the most inopportune moments! It was when I decided I was unwilling to live with that voice that I started writing the show.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Well, that's truly a tough question to answer. First, I think every year is the perfect year to deal with someone who you view as part of your life AND your worst enemy. On top of that is the fact that devices are getting in between real relationships more and more. And what we see on those devices generally isn't real life. So giving an audience the opportunity to hear my story - which allows them to examine their OWN story - well that's a way to keep things real.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I work out five days a week with a trainer, so that sets me up physically. And I will continue to train with him over Zoom while I'm at the Fringe! As for mentally...fortunately I have been performing this show over the past year, so I have real experience about how it will go. The new elements will be the space, a change in the use of pictures, and of course the international audiences that will show up. THAT will be very exciting! Because even though we all have moms, every culture holds them in a slightly different way.
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 hand out little pies - but quiz the person on how many calories they'd already consumed that day before actually giving them to each person. Isn't that just like a mother?
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
I am going to say my collection of teas. There is nothing better to pick you up or settle you down than a good cup of tea that is appropriate for the occasion. For me it's Irish Breakfast Tea (black tea) with cream, or ginger tea with manuka honey.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
To have people coming to my show because of the good word of mouth. And a couple good reviews wouldn't hurt either!
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I have a playwright friend who is coming to Fringe but I'm not sure she has a piece that's being performed. Other than that, I always take suggestions and recommendations from people I talk to. That's the most exciting way to discover things you never would have considered on your own.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I think climbing the hill to the castle, then spending time surveying all of Edinburgh - 360 degrees - is a fabulous things to do. I am looking forward to discovering more favorites.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
We all have moms.......right?
What keeps you inspired?
I was lucky enough to travel a lot as a kid. And I think discovering new places, new people, different ways of approaching this thing we call life - that's what keeps me inspired. There is so much you can never know it all. But it's great fun making the attempt!
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
My hope is they walk away saying: yes, I know that, I've been there; and, oh -- I never thought about it that way before.
When and where can people see the show?
THE LONGER MY MOTHER IS DEAD THE MORE I LIKE HER will be playing from August 7 through the 29th at The Olive Studio at Greenside at George Street. Showtime is 12.30 pm. So it's a nice matinee! ( no performances on 16 or 23 August).
This is my first outing in the solo show world. It took 15 years of writing -- picking it up and putting it down -- and a heck of a lot of mental processing to get to this final product. I had help along the way - most especially with a dramaturg who really helped me refine itl Because the subject is a dense one - MOMS. And there are so many mental traps to maneuver around! Especially if one is telling the truth - which I am more than 90% of the time.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
I am naturally a storyteller and conversationalist (lord, is that even a real word?). So an audience member will experience me talking directly to them - sometimes even asking for agreement! But they will also have the theatrical experience of watching scenes play out. Because in this piece, Mom actually gets equal (well, almost equal) time to speak her mind as well.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I don't know how other people experience their parents - their mother in particular. For me, Mom was such a force of nature that even after I left home, she continued to participate in my life by living in my head. She crops up and sometimes says the meanest things at the most inopportune moments! It was when I decided I was unwilling to live with that voice that I started writing the show.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Well, that's truly a tough question to answer. First, I think every year is the perfect year to deal with someone who you view as part of your life AND your worst enemy. On top of that is the fact that devices are getting in between real relationships more and more. And what we see on those devices generally isn't real life. So giving an audience the opportunity to hear my story - which allows them to examine their OWN story - well that's a way to keep things real.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I work out five days a week with a trainer, so that sets me up physically. And I will continue to train with him over Zoom while I'm at the Fringe! As for mentally...fortunately I have been performing this show over the past year, so I have real experience about how it will go. The new elements will be the space, a change in the use of pictures, and of course the international audiences that will show up. THAT will be very exciting! Because even though we all have moms, every culture holds them in a slightly different way.
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 hand out little pies - but quiz the person on how many calories they'd already consumed that day before actually giving them to each person. Isn't that just like a mother?
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
I am going to say my collection of teas. There is nothing better to pick you up or settle you down than a good cup of tea that is appropriate for the occasion. For me it's Irish Breakfast Tea (black tea) with cream, or ginger tea with manuka honey.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
To have people coming to my show because of the good word of mouth. And a couple good reviews wouldn't hurt either!
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I have a playwright friend who is coming to Fringe but I'm not sure she has a piece that's being performed. Other than that, I always take suggestions and recommendations from people I talk to. That's the most exciting way to discover things you never would have considered on your own.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I think climbing the hill to the castle, then spending time surveying all of Edinburgh - 360 degrees - is a fabulous things to do. I am looking forward to discovering more favorites.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
We all have moms.......right?
What keeps you inspired?
I was lucky enough to travel a lot as a kid. And I think discovering new places, new people, different ways of approaching this thing we call life - that's what keeps me inspired. There is so much you can never know it all. But it's great fun making the attempt!
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
My hope is they walk away saying: yes, I know that, I've been there; and, oh -- I never thought about it that way before.
When and where can people see the show?
THE LONGER MY MOTHER IS DEAD THE MORE I LIKE HER will be playing from August 7 through the 29th at The Olive Studio at Greenside at George Street. Showtime is 12.30 pm. So it's a nice matinee! ( no performances on 16 or 23 August).
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-longer-my-mother-is-dead-the-more-i-like-her
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