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 Midge Lema about her show Bean vs. The Robots.
 |
| Photo by Cody Jacobs |
What can you tell me about your show?
Bean vs. The Robots is written and performed by Michelle “Midge” Lema, with music and lyrics by Midge Lema. The show is directed by Riley Rose Critchlow and co-produced by Alison Zatta and Riley Rose Critchlow. Additional music and backing tracks are by Maxton Waller. The Bean vs. the Robots poster design is by Iman Salehian and Kat Wong.
Bean vs. The Robots is a weird little musical comedy about grief, in which space travellers get to board Bean’s spaceship for exactly 50 minutes. Bean has been flying her spaceship for so long that she lost all of her memories from Earth. Except memories that involve robots. Bean will take the space travellers on a ride, perform her favorite songs for them, and maybe even cast them as characters. But even Bean won’t be prepared for the memories that pop up along the way. Bean vs. the Robots is a sci-fi comedy exploration of grief through the wistful and weird eyes of a lost space traveller.
Bean vs. The Robots is written and performed by Michelle “Midge” Lema, with music and lyrics by Midge Lema. The show is directed by Riley Rose Critchlow and co-produced by Alison Zatta and Riley Rose Critchlow. Additional music and backing tracks are by Maxton Waller. The Bean vs. the Robots poster design is by Iman Salehian and Kat Wong.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Bean vs. The Robots floats between absurdist, weird moments and genuine, heartfelt discovery. Watching the show will feel like watching someone who has been alone in space for a long time give everything they’ve got to you, the new space travellers that landed in front of them.
Bean vs. The Robots floats between absurdist, weird moments and genuine, heartfelt discovery. Watching the show will feel like watching someone who has been alone in space for a long time give everything they’ve got to you, the new space travellers that landed in front of them.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
A few years ago, I decided to start a monthly variety show in Los Angeles where myself and other creatives could have a place to bring in new work. I needed a name for the show, and my mind kept drifting to space. So, I called the show Space Stories and started writing new music for it. During this process, it was a funny but sad song I wrote called “Space Travel Is Hard” that propelled me to create the musical version of Bean vs The Robots.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
This year, I’ve paid attention to grief and how we deal with it as a society. I think a lot of people are grieving right now, whether that be for a specific person we lost, for an era of our lives, or for something that never came to pass. For me personally, this year marks 10 years since the loss of my mother, and the first time I’ve taken a look at how that grief has shaped me. I think it’s important to look at grief, and for me, it’s through this show.
This year, I’ve paid attention to grief and how we deal with it as a society. I think a lot of people are grieving right now, whether that be for a specific person we lost, for an era of our lives, or for something that never came to pass. For me personally, this year marks 10 years since the loss of my mother, and the first time I’ve taken a look at how that grief has shaped me. I think it’s important to look at grief, and for me, it’s through this show.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I just finished a workshop run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles and will be doing one more warm up show with audiences in July to prepare myself for Edinburgh. Getting up in front of audiences has been so valuable while shaping the show. In addition to rehearsal with my director Riley, I am also strength training and going on long runs in order to prepare myself for running about my spaceship every day for a month!
I just finished a workshop run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles and will be doing one more warm up show with audiences in July to prepare myself for Edinburgh. Getting up in front of audiences has been so valuable while shaping the show. In addition to rehearsal with my director Riley, I am also strength training and going on long runs in order to prepare myself for running about my spaceship every day for a month!
Photo by Cody Jacobs
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 would probably hand a potential audience member an actual key from my keyboard, who is a main character in the show. I would tell them they need to bring the key to my spaceship, or my keyboard won’t work. I could also say that the show won’t go on without the missing key, but Bean will definitely still sing songs even if her keyboard doesn’t work. That’s what has to be done when you’re on a spaceship in space.
I would probably hand a potential audience member an actual key from my keyboard, who is a main character in the show. I would tell them they need to bring the key to my spaceship, or my keyboard won’t work. I could also say that the show won’t go on without the missing key, but Bean will definitely still sing songs even if her keyboard doesn’t work. That’s what has to be done when you’re on a spaceship in space.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
I can’t live without my water bottle. I bring it on stage with me and it has also become somewhat of a character in the show. I have learned while creating this show that hydration is important, and one must have a stylish water bottle to accomplish that.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
It’s such a dream to be a part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe again. Much of the success is being there and putting on the show I’ve been dreaming about for so long. If I can interact with audiences every day, tell them a story, and make them laugh or feel something, that will also be a success. And if I can leave Edinburgh with a weirder show than the one I came in with, that will be the most rewarding success.
It’s such a dream to be a part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe again. Much of the success is being there and putting on the show I’ve been dreaming about for so long. If I can interact with audiences every day, tell them a story, and make them laugh or feel something, that will also be a success. And if I can leave Edinburgh with a weirder show than the one I came in with, that will be the most rewarding success.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Yes! My incredible director/producer Riley Rose Critchlow and producer Alison Zatta are also working on another show that’s coming to Edinburgh this year, called The Second Best School Shooting, written by Alice Stanley Jr. I’m also incredibly excited to see anything Awkward Productions does, and especially can’t wait to see their new show Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella.
Yes! My incredible director/producer Riley Rose Critchlow and producer Alison Zatta are also working on another show that’s coming to Edinburgh this year, called The Second Best School Shooting, written by Alice Stanley Jr. I’m also incredibly excited to see anything Awkward Productions does, and especially can’t wait to see their new show Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
This will be my third time performing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but it’s been quite a few years since my last trip, so I could use some current recommendations myself. However, and this is going to sound really obvious, taking in the view from Arthur’s Seat has always felt so breathtaking and magical to me.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Weird little musical about grief!
Weird little musical about grief!
What keeps you inspired?
Going to see any live performance always keeps me inspired. I love to see new work, especially work that surprises an audience. There is so much good live theatre out there, and so many talented people with stories to tell. When I see that, I know I want to keep going with my own work, and challenge myself to take chances.
Going to see any live performance always keeps me inspired. I love to see new work, especially work that surprises an audience. There is so much good live theatre out there, and so many talented people with stories to tell. When I see that, I know I want to keep going with my own work, and challenge myself to take chances.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I hope that the space travellers who join Bean’s spaceship walk away feeling inspired to investigate their own grief, whatever that may be, and excited to be the weird little space person they were always meant to be.
When and where can people see the show?
People can see Bean vs. The Robots during Edinburgh Festival Fringe at theSpace at Surgeons’ Hall in Theatre 2. The show runs August 7-29 at the following times: August 7-15 at 10:45, August 17-22 at 13:45, and August 24-29 at 20:45. There are 2 for 1 tickets on August 10 & 11. More information and updates at www.michellelema.com/beanvstherobots.
People can see Bean vs. The Robots during Edinburgh Festival Fringe at theSpace at Surgeons’ Hall in Theatre 2. The show runs August 7-29 at the following times: August 7-15 at 10:45, August 17-22 at 13:45, and August 24-29 at 20:45. There are 2 for 1 tickets on August 10 & 11. More information and updates at www.michellelema.com/beanvstherobots.
Tickets are available from https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:5348/
 |
| Photo by Cody Jacobs. |
Post a Comment