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 Lucy Linford about her show Graduatric.
What can you tell me about your show?
Graduatric is a love letter to Educating Rita for an age that can't agree on anything. It's a fierce, funny and unsettling two-hander about grief, reinvention and the fragile possibility of dialogue. When Susan, a mature student rebuilding her life after the collapse of her thirty-year marriage, is accused of transphobia by a course mate, charged encounters with her tutor force buried grief and long-suppressed truths to the surface…
Graduatric is a love letter to Educating Rita for an age that can't agree on anything. It's a fierce, funny and unsettling two-hander about grief, reinvention and the fragile possibility of dialogue. When Susan, a mature student rebuilding her life after the collapse of her thirty-year marriage, is accused of transphobia by a course mate, charged encounters with her tutor force buried grief and long-suppressed truths to the surface…
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It's bold new writing, simple as really. It's a show that isn't afraid to tackle difficult questions, but does so in a way that's never preachy or one-sided. It's the world as we know it, and the flawed mortals stumbling about in it.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I went back to university last year after a decade away. It got me thinking about the Willy Russell play Educating Rita, which I'd seen growing up. There's this bit in it where the lead talks about going back to education to sing a better song… I suppose that's what I was doing too. The lightbulb moment came when I thought: what would it be like if Russell's Susan/Rita went back to university today? It had changed a lot in the ten years since I was an undergraduate, and the atmosphere surrounding debate and discussion in academic spaces can now be quite toxic and unforgiving. For a working-class woman with a mouth on her like Russell's character, the university of 2026 might well be an unforgiving place. Graduatric is what happens when she opens her mouth anyway.
I went back to university last year after a decade away. It got me thinking about the Willy Russell play Educating Rita, which I'd seen growing up. There's this bit in it where the lead talks about going back to education to sing a better song… I suppose that's what I was doing too. The lightbulb moment came when I thought: what would it be like if Russell's Susan/Rita went back to university today? It had changed a lot in the ten years since I was an undergraduate, and the atmosphere surrounding debate and discussion in academic spaces can now be quite toxic and unforgiving. For a working-class woman with a mouth on her like Russell's character, the university of 2026 might well be an unforgiving place. Graduatric is what happens when she opens her mouth anyway.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
The themes of the show are rooted in the politics of today. It's a conversation about the world as it is right now. Both characters are, in a lot of ways, stuck in the past, and it's through their discussions, which all take place in the office of Daniel, her tutor, that they find their way back into the present. I think we all struggle to let go of the past and avoid the difficult conversations that could pull us back into it. The show is about how cathartic and important those conversations can be.
The themes of the show are rooted in the politics of today. It's a conversation about the world as it is right now. Both characters are, in a lot of ways, stuck in the past, and it's through their discussions, which all take place in the office of Daniel, her tutor, that they find their way back into the present. I think we all struggle to let go of the past and avoid the difficult conversations that could pull us back into it. The show is about how cathartic and important those conversations can be.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Now that's a question! My Masters dissertation is due on July 27th and we head straight into rehearsals that day. It's all go from there, so there won't be much time to prepare, which for a chronic overthinker like me is probably the best case scenario. Going in head first, all guns blazing, will mentally be the healthiest way to tackle this feat! I've got a solid team of friends and family behind me willing to help out, and a brilliant cast I've got every faith in. It's going to be a lot of fun.
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 was thinking about hiring graduation garms to hand out the flyers in, but if we're talking ridiculous… How about a big fishing net? Scoop up a group and lead them to the venue. The streets of the Fringe get so chaotic they'd surely be grateful for the steer.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can't live without at the Fringe?
It’s a crap answer but my phone. A compass, wallet, notebook, internet portal, mini-tv, walkie-talkie all rolled into one…
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
I think with the Fringe you've got to manage your expectations. There's so much good stuff on, and plenty of productions with far bigger budgets than ours. If we can get decent audiences and some positive reviews, I'll be made up. Beyond the show itself, I'm putting together a how-to guide for working-class artists who want to bring their work to the Fringe but are put off by the eye-watering costs. If that helps even one person take the leap next year, that's success too.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Hannah Platt is a fantastic comedian out of Manchester. I set her up on a date once, but that's a whole other story. She's been making big waves on the UK comedy circuit since then and can probably set up her own dates. Her show Cult Classic is on at Pleasance Courtyard. I'm looking forward to that. Oh, and doesn't Amanda Knox have a show on? I wouldn't mind catching that.
Hannah Platt is a fantastic comedian out of Manchester. I set her up on a date once, but that's a whole other story. She's been making big waves on the UK comedy circuit since then and can probably set up her own dates. Her show Cult Classic is on at Pleasance Courtyard. I'm looking forward to that. Oh, and doesn't Amanda Knox have a show on? I wouldn't mind catching that.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
If you want a minute to escape the chaos, the Jolly Judge is a great place for a pint. And if you really want a break, head down to Portobello (a half-hour bus ride to Edinburgh's seaside) and maybe you can stop in and feed our cat?
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Fierce, funny, unsettling, tender, hopeful.
Fierce, funny, unsettling, tender, hopeful.
What keeps you inspired?
Inspiration strikes when I least expect it. Usually when I'm wandering around Aldi.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
That difficult conversations are worth having. Try to meet people where they are rather than where you think they are or where you think they should be. Letting go can set you both free.
That difficult conversations are worth having. Try to meet people where they are rather than where you think they are or where you think they should be. Letting go can set you both free.
When and where can people see the show?
theSpace @ Niddry St: 7, 8, 14 and 15 August at 14:05 theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall: 24–29 August at 21:45
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/graduatric
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| Lucy Linford |
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