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 Kate Daley, performer and writer of Join the Club! A Story about the Sex You Never Wanted.
What can you tell me about your show?
“Join the Club! A Story About The Sex You Never Wanted” is a autobiographical solo show written by me - Kate Daley - with additional content and direction by Kelly McAndrew. Join the Club! focuses on a woman’s coming of age in the time of hookup culture and dating apps.
Although we touch on the sadness and loneliness that can come from them, we really highlight the absurdity of modern dating and relationships. It will make you laugh!
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
I’ve heard that it’s a little SORRY, BABY and a little bit I MAY DESTROY YOU, but told from a uniquely Gen-Z perspective.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I really started writing this piece to process my own emotions after experiencing sexual assault.
What really turned it into something beyond a personal exercise was the response when I shared it with others. I shared it with a few close friends and they seemed to really resonate with it, which made me wonder if maybe there was something in this show that could be healing to more than me.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
2026 is the perfect year for this story because, although attention that has slowly moved towards stories about sexual assault, those stories are typically from Millenials and older. Fringe is the best place for an early career artist like me to share a story from a young person and for it to stand next to artists with storied careers. My hope is that in 2026, we are ready to see a story of sex and dating from a uniquely Gen-Z perspective - someone for whom dating has always been about apps and the culture has always been about hook-ups.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ve spent a lot of time preparing my pre and post-show rituals. Setting those as something to come back to every day, whether I have a full house or only 1 person in attendance at a show, is really going to be grounding for what can be an emotionally difficult month. Physically - I’ve heard Edinburgh is full of stairs. I am prepping my quads!
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 vibrators! If I got a collaboration with a vibrator company I would totally do it. I hope you hear that, vibrator companies!!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
THERAPY! Lol. Keeping up with doing weekly sessions is going to help me manage spending so much time in the world of this play that, while hilarious, does touch on serious issues as well. If it has to be a physical item, mint gum. Meeting so many people flyering and at events means I can’t have bad breath, lol. I also always chew a stick after I perform to ground myself back in reality. Mint gum is very important to me.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
For people to see the show and for it to mean something to them. I hope that the show will continue after the Fringe, either doing touring shows or as a sit down run, but the way for that to happen is for this show to find and justify that it has an audience that the story means something to.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I saw “Lizzy Sunshine” during its New York City run and loved it! It’s returning to the Fringe after being a sell-out show last year. Get your tickets ASAP! I also have some great friends doing a new play called “We’ve Got Time,” just a fantastic team and piece that will be a nice ensemble theatre piece to break up all the solo shows you’ll probably be seeing!
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I would recommend people visit an Ann Summers store and buy themselves a vibrator nicer than the one I bought from Target in high school.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Confronting, wry, dark, brave, no-holds-barred (if that counts as one word!)
What keeps you inspired?
Ooh. A combination of things have kept me inspired while working on this piece. Reading and watching other solo shows has expanded the definition of what a solo show could be and all the different possible mechanisms to tell this story. I have an awesome anthology of solo shows I read from when I need inspiration. I also draw so much inspiration from my collaborators, as we’ve really made this play as a team effort and throwing many things at the wall to see what sticks. Lastly, I continue to find inspiration in my own life, constantly. A story shared by friend. A crazy interaction on Tinder. A terrible date. The themes of this show are inescapable which gives me endless fuel to tell this story.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
If nothing else, I hope that people feel less alone and feel less shame about what has happened to them, and about the mistakes that they may have made while trying to heal. And I hope I will make them laugh!
When and where can people see the show?
Our show will be at the venue 152, the Snug at Paradise in Augustines with a preview at 23:00 on August 7th, and regular performances August 8th-30th (minus the 16th and the 23rd) at 15:50 until 16:35. Come see us.
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/join-the-club-a-story-about-the-sex-you-never-wanted
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| Kate Daley |
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