Shay Mace
Comedian Alex Franklin returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week with her new stand-up hour Kiss Me x. Alex’s light-hearted tone also looks to explore the fetishisation of trans bodies in the material, as well as what the experience of dating and intimacy is like as a trans woman. We caught up with her for a pixelated pint to find out more about the show.
You can catch Alex Franklin: Kiss Me x at Underbelly Cowgate (Jelly Belly) from 14:25 (60mins) on August 5–16, 18–30. Tickets are Available Through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Shay: Hi Alex, tell us about dating as a trans woman, and why you have decided to bring this to the stage now?
Alex: All too often trans women are presented as objects over people in romantic settings, whether that be as fetishised sexual objects or as objects of revulsion. We see this constantly in all forms of media, from film to the literal news – and yet we rarely see trans women presented as just people who kiss, fall in love, sleep around etc., which is frankly the majority of my lived experience. I wanted to make a show that tackles these issues, while having a lighthearted and silly vibe – like a kiss from your crush! x
Shay: Tell us about your process for putting together this hour – what do you do to get yourself motivated and what challenges have you found with this material?
Alex: Honestly it’s mostly downing a bunch of Lucozade bottles. I don’t know how but I think I’ve given myself a Pavlovian trigger with Lucozade that if I have one I must write a bunch of funny stuff after. Or Tango Apple. Fanta Fruit Twist is what I have whenever I need to tie any plot beats or themes together.
Shay: Tell us about your comedy icons – who are they, and how have they influenced your work?
Alex: Every now and again I make something and think how would Andy Samberg from the Lonely Island react to this, and I think he would be fine with it, then I am fine with it.
Shay: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Alex: I try and find a cat to pet in the city. I search for them. I hunt them. It soothes me to rest my palm upon their soft feline head.
Shay: What do you do when you’re faced with writer’s block?
Alex: Think reeeeeaaaally hard.
Shay: Has/will the show be performed anywhere ahead of EdFringe?
Alex: Yes! I will take it to any city that will have me (and also maybe the countryside, hayfever dependent).
Shay: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Alex: I guess the shows? But mostly I’ve signed up to play a week long game of Survivor (it’s kinda like the Traitors) and the end of Fringe so VERY excited about that.
Shay: 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?
Alex: Fanta Fruit Twist, Lucozade, and Tango Apple mixed into one big bucket.
A reminder, you can catch Alex Franklin: Kiss Me x at Underbelly Cowgate (Jelly Belly) from 14:25 (60mins) on August 5–16, 18–30. Tickets are Available Through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
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