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 Bi-Curious George about their show Snail Trail.
What can you tell me about your show?
Snail Trail is a drag comedy about trans-masculinity, hormones and queerness in the natural world. It’s full of clowning, comedy, parody songs, all sorts of ridiculousness. But it’s also a very personal, quite tender exploration of my own experience of transition. Trans-ness has become so shrouded in shame and secrecy, people are terrified to ask questions and trans people are, quite understandably, defensive, protective - we’ve been forced back into our shells. So I wanted to create a safe, joyful space for people from all demographics to hear directly from a trans person - put the narrative firmly back into our hands.
It’s about challenging our concept of ‘normal’ and who gets to decide that. It’s about humanising the trans experience again…while dressed as a snail, of course. The word ‘natural’ has been weaponised against queer people for centuries, and it’s time to reclaim it.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I’ve been quite obsessed with snails for a few years now. They’re incredible creatures; they’re hermaphroditic, they inject each other with hormones as part of their mating ritual, they experience time completely differently to us, humans often think of them as pests, they’re queer in almost every imaginable sense of the word.
I’ve been quite obsessed with snails for a few years now. They’re incredible creatures; they’re hermaphroditic, they inject each other with hormones as part of their mating ritual, they experience time completely differently to us, humans often think of them as pests, they’re queer in almost every imaginable sense of the word.
I wanted to make a show about the more gentle sides of transition. The world is so fixated on portraying medical transition as some sort of extreme drastic step to take but my experience of it has been all about a slow easy settling into my body. I was so drawn to the way snails experience the world around them, through all of their senses, and it made me think of the way testosterone has helped me to engage with the world with my entire body. Just as the snail builds their own home and carries it with them wherever they go, Snail Trail is about the experience of building a home out of your body.
How have you approached developing the show?
This show has been percolating and brewing in the recesses of my brain for a long time now. By the time I sat down to write it, at a writing residency in 2024, immediately after my last Edinburgh Fringe run (Queer Planet), I was so excited about all the strange ideas and connections forming in my head that it flowed out in a bit of a frenzy. There was a LOT of research involved. As silly and weird as this show may seem, there’s a lot of science behind it! (Because often, nothing is more silly and weird than nature).
This show has been percolating and brewing in the recesses of my brain for a long time now. By the time I sat down to write it, at a writing residency in 2024, immediately after my last Edinburgh Fringe run (Queer Planet), I was so excited about all the strange ideas and connections forming in my head that it flowed out in a bit of a frenzy. There was a LOT of research involved. As silly and weird as this show may seem, there’s a lot of science behind it! (Because often, nothing is more silly and weird than nature).
Primarily I am a drag performer, working in the London cabaret circuit, and my work is always made in direct conversation with that world. I try out bits of material at gigs, I talk to people about their experiences and their responses to my work in the smoking area after a show, I go onstage while I’m still figuring it out and the audience really help me to explore it all. I’m working on this project mostly on my own at the moment, due to a lack of funding, but that community of drag performers and audiences are like one big, very creative (very underpaid) director.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Primarily, it is fun and silly and celebratory. I’m a drag performer so of course, it’s camp and high energy. There’s parody songs, there’s some dancing, there’s all sorts! It’s about a lot of very important, personal things, but my core goal is always for people to have a good time, to leave feeling ecstatic - especially if they’re queer. There’s a plethora of content out there that focuses on the trauma of being trans, and whilst I don’t shy away from that stuff - transition is all about liberation to me, and the show reflects that.
People are always surprised by how much they learn too - I promise you will never look at a snail the same way again (especially if you’re not currently a fan of those lovely slimy little guys)
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Slimy, joyful, tender
Slimy, joyful, tender
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
I just keep focusing on all the things I’m excited for and try my best not to listen to that little voice that lists all the things that might go wrong. We’re so unbelievably lucky to be able to spend a whole month surrounded by other artists, going to shows, performing - I find that the best way to not get too wrapped up in my own head is focus outwards; to go and watch what everyone else is doing and get all excited and giddy about theatre and comedy and peoples work. I keep telling myself that the absolute worst case scenario is that I’ve taken myself on a very expensive working holiday and seen loads of amazing shows in the meantime.
I just keep focusing on all the things I’m excited for and try my best not to listen to that little voice that lists all the things that might go wrong. We’re so unbelievably lucky to be able to spend a whole month surrounded by other artists, going to shows, performing - I find that the best way to not get too wrapped up in my own head is focus outwards; to go and watch what everyone else is doing and get all excited and giddy about theatre and comedy and peoples work. I keep telling myself that the absolute worst case scenario is that I’ve taken myself on a very expensive working holiday and seen loads of amazing shows in the meantime.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Seeing everyone in their element! We performers so rarely get to just do what we do best for so many days in a row and it’s incredible to get to see people really finding their stride. I love getting to peer through this little window into someone's brain, see what they’ve chosen to make work about and be let into what makes them tick; people are so wonderfully strange! You also learn things about yourself and your work that you can only learn from having to do so many shows in a row, in front of so many varied audiences - it’s honestly magic.
Seeing everyone in their element! We performers so rarely get to just do what we do best for so many days in a row and it’s incredible to get to see people really finding their stride. I love getting to peer through this little window into someone's brain, see what they’ve chosen to make work about and be let into what makes them tick; people are so wonderfully strange! You also learn things about yourself and your work that you can only learn from having to do so many shows in a row, in front of so many varied audiences - it’s honestly magic.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
I guess this isn’t technically in Edinburgh but If you’re lucky enough to get a day off, I’d recommend getting out of the city. I’m always drawn to the sea and it’s just a short train ride to Berwick, where you can go to the Scottish Seabird centre and even go on a boat tour to see Bass Rock, home to over 150,000 Gannets, as well as puffins! Then you can have a very cold dip in the sea and chips on the beach before hopping on the train back to Edinburgh - like a mini summer holiday halfway through your Fringe.
I guess this isn’t technically in Edinburgh but If you’re lucky enough to get a day off, I’d recommend getting out of the city. I’m always drawn to the sea and it’s just a short train ride to Berwick, where you can go to the Scottish Seabird centre and even go on a boat tour to see Bass Rock, home to over 150,000 Gannets, as well as puffins! Then you can have a very cold dip in the sea and chips on the beach before hopping on the train back to Edinburgh - like a mini summer holiday halfway through your Fringe.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
The amazing Ros Watt is bringing his new show Trans People are Awful - I’ve seen a WIP of it and I can’t wait to see where that goes, I think it’s going to be a hit! I’m also excited to see Hotter Projects new show, Ham. And I’m thrilled that Cinnemadrome by Cabbage the Clown is back for a short run because I missed it last year and it looks bonkers and beautiful.
The amazing Ros Watt is bringing his new show Trans People are Awful - I’ve seen a WIP of it and I can’t wait to see where that goes, I think it’s going to be a hit! I’m also excited to see Hotter Projects new show, Ham. And I’m thrilled that Cinnemadrome by Cabbage the Clown is back for a short run because I missed it last year and it looks bonkers and beautiful.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
I absolutely fell in love with Billy Elliot as a kid - my surname is actually Elliott and my dad’s family is from near where it’s set. I did a lot of ballet at the time so I was convinced I was destined to play him one day. Alas, that time still hasn’t come - but if anyone is looking for a Billy Elliot in their 30s (who looks quite a lot younger) then call me up!
I absolutely fell in love with Billy Elliot as a kid - my surname is actually Elliott and my dad’s family is from near where it’s set. I did a lot of ballet at the time so I was convinced I was destined to play him one day. Alas, that time still hasn’t come - but if anyone is looking for a Billy Elliot in their 30s (who looks quite a lot younger) then call me up!
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
An appreciation for snails, and all the other overlooked, miraculous creatures in this world and a little more understanding and openness towards everybody’s entirely unique experiences of themselves and the world around them.
Where and when can people see your show?
Snail Trail is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Pleasance Below, Courtyard from 5 – 31 Aug (not 15 or 18) at 15.00. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bi-curious-george-snail-trail
Snail Trail is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Pleasance Below, Courtyard from 5 – 31 Aug (not 15 or 18) at 15.00. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bi-curious-george-snail-trail
 |
| Photos by Dylan Woodley |
Post a Comment