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 Jess Robinson about her show Elton Reimagined.
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| Photo by Chloe Hashemi. |
What can you tell me about your show?
It’s One woman, 35 divas and Elton’s greatest hits as you’ve never heard them before.
It’s One woman, 35 divas and Elton’s greatest hits as you’ve never heard them before.
I take Elton's songs and completely reinvent them through the voices of some of the world’s most iconic female artists, from Barbra Streisand and Kate Bush to Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen and Raye. It’s part concert, part comedy, part musical love letter to Elton. You’ll laugh, you’ll shed a tear, you’ll get goosebumps and leave with your face aching from smiling. Also, people often come back and second and a third time because I leave a chunk of the show up to the audience to request their favourite songs and singers.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It’s a proper live music show first and foremost. The impressions aren’t there just so people go, “Ooh, that’s clever!” They’re there because each singer brings something stylistically different to Elton’s songs. So one minute you’re laughing because Shakira is tackling I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, and the next you’re suddenly hearing the heartbreak in Candle In The Wind, mashed up with What Was I Made For - through Billie Eilish’s voice.
It’s a proper live music show first and foremost. The impressions aren’t there just so people go, “Ooh, that’s clever!” They’re there because each singer brings something stylistically different to Elton’s songs. So one minute you’re laughing because Shakira is tackling I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, and the next you’re suddenly hearing the heartbreak in Candle In The Wind, mashed up with What Was I Made For - through Billie Eilish’s voice.
It’s musically clever, the vocals are world class, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll definitely want to sing along.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I remember thinking, “What if I stopped doing impressions of people singing lots of random songs and chose one artist?” I’ve always loved Elton’s songwriting, and I realised his songs are so brilliantly written that they can survive almost any interpretation.
I remember thinking, “What if I stopped doing impressions of people singing lots of random songs and chose one artist?” I’ve always loved Elton’s songwriting, and I realised his songs are so brilliantly written that they can survive almost any interpretation.
Once I’d had that thought I couldn’t stop. Every time I heard a female artist on the radio I’d start mentally casting them in another Elton song.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
The show’s grown up a lot. We’ve toured it, audiences have shaped it, and every performance teaches me something. There are new artists in this year’s version, the arrangements have evolved, and I think we’ve found that lovely balance where it feels musically ambitious without ever disappearing up its own bum!
The show’s grown up a lot. We’ve toured it, audiences have shaped it, and every performance teaches me something. There are new artists in this year’s version, the arrangements have evolved, and I think we’ve found that lovely balance where it feels musically ambitious without ever disappearing up its own bum!
Also… I just think the world could do with a bit more joy.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I wish I could tell you I spend weeks meditating on a mountain somewhere.
I wish I could tell you I spend weeks meditating on a mountain somewhere.
The reality is rather less glamorous. I’ll be trying to keep up with reformer Pilates, remembering to drink enough water, attempting to get an early night every now and then and hoping I don’t immediately undo all that good work with late-night tequila.
Mentally, I just remind myself what a privilege it is to have a bit of routine in my life for a bit. It’s crazy that I have to come to the Edinburgh Fringe to find it - but there we are. It’s unlike anywhere else. You get to spend a month doing the thing you love every single day.
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?
Probably a pair of oversized Elton-style glasses.
Probably a pair of oversized Elton-style glasses.
Not because they’d tell people anything about the show… I just think Edinburgh would look even more wonderful if thousands of people wandered around dressed like Elton for the day.
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| Photo by Chloe Hashemi |
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
The sensible answer would be my water bottle.
The sensible answer would be my water bottle.
The real answer is a pack of cards. Some of my happiest Fringe memories are sitting in a bar after a show with friends, having a cold beer and playing ‘shit head’.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Walking away feeling uplifted and energised - feeling I’ve given every audience the best show I possibly could and I’ve had huge fun doing it...
Walking away feeling uplifted and energised - feeling I’ve given every audience the best show I possibly could and I’ve had huge fun doing it...
I’d also love packed houses and lots of exciting opportunities that come from it.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Sarah-Louise Young is always extraordinary. Rosie Holt is brilliantly funny. Elf Lyons has one of the most original minds around. I’m also looking forward to discovering some hidden gems and telling everyone to go and see them… word of mouth is so important and one of my favourite things about Edinburgh is that you can stumble into something you’ve never heard of and discover your new favourite performer.
Sarah-Louise Young is always extraordinary. Rosie Holt is brilliantly funny. Elf Lyons has one of the most original minds around. I’m also looking forward to discovering some hidden gems and telling everyone to go and see them… word of mouth is so important and one of my favourite things about Edinburgh is that you can stumble into something you’ve never heard of and discover your new favourite performer.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they’re not watching performances?
Cold Town House on the Grassmarket.
Cold Town House on the Grassmarket.
Their pizza is ridiculously delicious, I love their beer, and if you head up to the rooftop you’ve got one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. It’s a glorious place to hangout.
Can you describe the show in five words?
Unexpected. Joyful. Musical. Silly. Sophisticated.
Unexpected. Joyful. Musical. Silly. Sophisticated.
What keeps you inspired?
Music. I feel it in my entire body. And people, really.
Music. I feel it in my entire body. And people, really.
I love noticing how people speak, the tiny things that make someone’s voice unmistakably theirs, and the stories behind songs. I want to understand what makes them them.
I’m endlessly fascinated by people.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
Joy.
Joy.
That sounds almost embarrassingly simple, but I really mean it.
I hope people laugh, maybe get a lump in their throat once or twice, sing all the way home, and perhaps leave thinking about one or two Elton songs a bit differently than they did when they walked in.
Life can be serious. There’s enough instability and worry in the world at the moment. I think it’s important to have a 60-minute dose of shared joy to recharge your batteries so you can go back out and cope with it all!
Life can be serious. There’s enough instability and worry in the world at the moment. I think it’s important to have a 60-minute dose of shared joy to recharge your batteries so you can go back out and cope with it all!
When and where can people see the show?
Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined is at 7:15pm, Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo Tent throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.
Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined is at 7:15pm, Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo Tent throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jess-robinson-elton-reimagined
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| Photo by Chloe Hashemi. |
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