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 Melanie Gall about her show The Ballad of Isobel Gunn.
What can you tell me about your show?
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn is a new one-woman musical telling the story of the first Scottish woman to ever see Western Canada. Isobel Gunn worked for the Hudson Bay Company, living as a man in early Canada. It’s a true story with original music.
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn is a new one-woman musical telling the story of the first Scottish woman to ever see Western Canada. Isobel Gunn worked for the Hudson Bay Company, living as a man in early Canada. It’s a true story with original music.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
This show is a more theater piece, with singing and acting. It’s like a (shorter) trip to the West End, with a much smaller cast (me!)
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Two years ago, I was talking to the director of the EdFringe hit, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, but Banjos Saved my Life. She said she had the perfect story for me to feature in my next show. I spent a year researching and getting excited about it, then received a grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to write and record the music. And the show quickly followed!
Two years ago, I was talking to the director of the EdFringe hit, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, but Banjos Saved my Life. She said she had the perfect story for me to feature in my next show. I spent a year researching and getting excited about it, then received a grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to write and record the music. And the show quickly followed!
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Identity is very much in the public eye at the moment, and this is an early story of identity and being true to one’s self.
Identity is very much in the public eye at the moment, and this is an early story of identity and being true to one’s self.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I just came from a 2-week run in Canada, so the show is ready to go here in Edinburgh. For me, the most important thing is not straining my voice – or catching anything that will make me lose my voice. So I stay away from too many crowded spaces and don’t spend evenings in loud pubs. Also water!
I just came from a 2-week run in Canada, so the show is ready to go here in Edinburgh. For me, the most important thing is not straining my voice – or catching anything that will make me lose my voice. So I stay away from too many crowded spaces and don’t spend evenings in loud pubs. Also water!
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?
Tiny beavers, as the show is about Canada’s beaver trade in the 19th Century. But also – where does a girl get a tiny beaver?
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
A water bottle. It’s so easy to forget to hydrate at the festival – also, it’s something to hold when walking on the Mile so you don’t get inundated with flyers!
A water bottle. It’s so easy to forget to hydrate at the festival – also, it’s something to hold when walking on the Mile so you don’t get inundated with flyers!
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
I’m primarily here to get bookings at theatres in the UK and around the world. So, success would be a series of upcoming concerts. But also, Isobel Gunn deserves to be remembered, and success will be for her story to become known and her name to be remembered.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Yes! Dungeons and Shakespeare is interactive and so much fun! Also Mason King: Mind Spy is a fab mentalism show at TheSpace, and Two Truths, One Lie is a great comedy show.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Honestly, I’m obsessed with the charity shops. It’s my happy place, walking into a store and knowing I could buy *anything* - when I’m not on stage or doing the endless admin needed to be a freelance artist, I’m trying on last season’s trousers from the High Street!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Adventures of Brave Orkney Lass
What keeps you inspired?
Everyone deservers to be remembered. So much history has been forgotten or overlooked, and Isobel Gunn deserves be celebrated. Knowing I am keeping her name and story alive keeps me inspired! Also coffee.
Everyone deservers to be remembered. So much history has been forgotten or overlooked, and Isobel Gunn deserves be celebrated. Knowing I am keeping her name and story alive keeps me inspired! Also coffee.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I hope a sense of connection with Isobel Gunn is taken away from seeing the show, as well as a picture of what it was like in both Canada and the Scottish Orkney Islands in the early 19th century.
I hope a sense of connection with Isobel Gunn is taken away from seeing the show, as well as a picture of what it was like in both Canada and the Scottish Orkney Islands in the early 19th century.
When and where can people see the show?
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn will be playing from 7-29 August at 15:05 from the 7-22nd and at 12:05 from the 22nd-29th at theSpace @ Symposium. It runs 50 minutes.
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-ballad-of-isobel-gunn
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