Jake Mace
Leila Navabi is the writer-performer of upcoming EdFringe show RELAY and self-described ‘multi-disciplinary rebel’. The show, based on a true story, follows the wild ride of making a baby at home with her partner, a best mate as the sperm donor, and, naturally, his boyfriend cheering from the sidelines. Leila aims to unpack love, ambition, and the chaos of building a family on your own terms. We caught up with her for a pixelated pint to find out why she decided to bring the story to the stage.
You can catch RELAY from July 31st to August 25th (not the 12th) at Beside at Pleasance Courtyard from 15:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Leila! Your upcoming show RELAY is described as a show about family and ‘making a baby with your best mate’s sperm’ – tell us about what inspired the show and why you decided to bring the story to the stage.
Leila: Hello Jake. The inspiration for RELAY’s creation and its big outing is two-fold. My partner and I are yet to meet anyone who have become parents through using the same methods we had, so this felt like (please, god, pardon the pun) fertile ground for making some #ART. I found that this story poured out of me. But it was the draw to the collaborative that made me want this to materialise in such an explosive, public manner. It’s a true story told through many mediums – animation, movement, stand up comedy and, perhaps most alluringly six original songs lead by a bright red keytar. And this has been made possible because of an incredible Virgo supercluser of Welsh creatives who so kindly agreed to work with me on this show.
Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect about the show.
Leila: I wish I knew what audiences were expecting from me and my work! But to predict that would probably be detrimental to not only the work itself, but my psychological wellbeing at large. The show is unflinchingly honest and the most vulnerable I’ve ever been with the truth. But also, it’s loads of fun. And I can say that without wearing my bum as a hat because so many brilliant people have been working extremely hard to ensure that’s the case.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Leila: Hope, optimism and an infuriating desire to go out and buy a keytar in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Leila: Two words. Potato scones. I cannot get enough of them. It’s honestly a problem.
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Leila: It’s a negroni sbagliato with oat milk. Queer, complicated but most importantly, not animals were harmed in its making.
A reminder, you can catch RELAY from July 31st to August 25th (not the 12th) at Beside at Pleasance Courtyard from 15:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
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