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 Hope Johansen and Riley Elton McCarthy about their show Bachelor of Fine Arts.
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| Photo by Michael Edwards. |
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
Bachelors of Fine Arts is about two students going to a top drama school in NYC with the best intentions and highest hopes that get their (expletive) rocked by a failing institution, toxic environments, and classmates.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
Lived experience, baby! It’s been really rewarding to take our stories and turn them into something.
How have you approached developing the show?
It’s been a lot of voice memos and old screenshots sent back and forth. Too much reminiscing and not always in a fun way.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Tongue-in-cheek, satirical, a touch of whimsy, and overall a romp. Stand up meets musical theatre melodrama.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Tea and Trauma
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
We did previews in NYC, which really proved what a beast this show is. It’s a lot of cardio, memorization, and finding freedom within the structure we’ve created.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Hope is very excited to sightsee and do all the touristy things, as it is her first time ever in Scotland! You’ll probably find her at all of the tourist traps because she loves a cheesy shop. Riley would love to see a highland cow.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
This is Riley’s 2nd Fringe Fest, and they recommend Portobello Book Shop to everyone they can.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
We both have friends from NYC in The Yellow Wallpaper, a dance thriller at Greenside @ George Street!
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
Hope’s was the US national tour of A Chorus Line when she was in 2nd grade. She really wanted the sparkly top hat and didn’t understand why they didn’t sell them at the souvenir stand. But really, it was the first professional musical she saw that set the wheels in motion. Riley’s was A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway. They realized there was space for weird horror on the stage by seeing that.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
We hope this reaches people who went to drama school and also felt like outcasts, or maybe that this wasn’t a viable career for them. We hope people feel seen and validated
Where and when can people see your show?
Theatre 3 at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall! We’ll be running August 7th-29th at 20:05. Big thanks to theSpace UK for having us.
Bachelors of Fine Arts is at the Edinburgh Fringe at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, Theatre 3, 7 – 29 Aug (not 16, 23 & 30), 20.05 (20.55). Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bachelors-of-fine-arts
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| Photo by Michael Edwards |
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