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13 household names announced so far for this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Having sold every ticket in 2024, the iconic award-winning actress, TV personality and author Miriam Margolyes returns to the Pleasance EICC at the Edinburgh Fringe for 14 dates from August 9-24, except the 18th and 21st, performing her 70 minute show at 6pm. She will have more characters, more Dickens, and more fascinating stories about the man behind the classics. At 84, Miriam's energy and passion are undimmed and her performance as electric as ever. She was Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, and also appeared in Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You To Death, End of Days, Sunshine, Scorsese's The Age of Innocence, Cold Comfort Farm and Magnolia. Amongst her many awards, she won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for The Age of Innocence and was awarded the OBE for her services to drama in 2002. Her most memorable TV credits include Old Flames, Freud, Life and Loves of a She Devil, Blackadder, The Girls of Slender Means, Oliver Twist, The History Man, Vanity Fair and Supply & Demand. | Steve Ullathorne Photo: Impressive PR
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Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
Michelle Collins makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with Motorhome Marilyn
Michelle Collins makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with a play about a Marilyn Monroe lookalike in Motorhome Marilyn. | Lucy Hayes The EastEnders actor has made a career out of stepping out of her comfort zone Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... EastEnders actor Michelle Collins is fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime by making her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with her one-woman show Motorhome Marilyn. A dark comedy, the play was inspired by a real life Marilyn Monroe lookalike Collins saw emerging from a trailer years ago in LA and explores our relationships with icons, ageing and what happens when dreams don't come true. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm terrified. But I've always wanted to do the Edinburgh Fringe. It's always been on my bucket list,' she says, when we talk ahead of her run. 'Being live on stage terrifies me but I still love it. I don't trust an actor who says they don't get scared on stage. Judi Dench still gets scared on stage. Doesn't everybody? I think all the good actors should get scared because it's good to be scared. And also I've never done a one-woman show. So there's only me up there. Oh, with a pet python.' A real python? Collins won't be drawn and is keen to avoid spoilers but promises unexpected twists and turns in the play written by Ben Weatherill (whose Frank and Percy starred Ian McKellen and Roger Allam and sold out across the UK and in London) after Stewart Permutt, and directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones. Michelle Collins as Denise in Motorhome Marilyn, her one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe | Lucy Hayes Surprises are nothing new for Collins who is back stalking Albert Square in killer heels as Cindy in EastEnders after a gap of 25 years, returning in 2023. In the meantime the 63-year-old has four decades of stage and screen credits ranging from TV roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Miss Marple, Two Thousand Acres of Sky, and The Illustrated Mum, for which she won an international Emmy and Bear Grylls Mission Survive, while she's appeared in numerous plays and musicals including Daddy Cool, Calendar Girls, Cleudo, Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Dark Night in Dalston, which she also produced. Films include Black Road and last year's Gangster's Kiss, 2024, with John Hannah, Martin Kemp and Patsy Kensit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Collins recounts how the inspiration for the play which she originally collaborated on with her late friend, the playwright Stewart Permutt, came about after she saw a woman dressed as Marilyn Monroe emerge from a motorhome in LA a few years ago. 'I was walking around Hollywood and saw this woman dressed as Marilyn in that iconic white dress. She had the wig on and was putting money in a meter and visually, it just looked fantastic. She had long red nails and put the money in the metre then sashayed away very elegantly. She exchanged hellos with this guy and walked off. Then she turned around and I saw that she was an older Marilyn, more like 56. So I walked up to the guy and asked who she was. He said, 'oh, that's Motorhome Marilyn. She lives in that trailer and walks up and down and that's how she earns her money'. I was really intrigued. I later went looking for her but never found her or found out who she was. I just became intrigued with the idea and that image always stayed with me.' Discussing the idea with Stewart Permutt, whose play 'Real Babies Don't Cry' won a Fringe First in 2010 and who also wrote the play she produced and performed in, A Dark Night in Dalston, the idea became a script. However Permutt's death meant it was not developed beyond early drafts. Michelle Collins as Denise in Motorhome Marilyn, her one-woman play at the Edinburgh Fringe. | Lucy Hayes 'Stewart was very ill and couldn't write it, then passed away just over a year ago, but he had left me the play and given me permission to let someone else write it so Ben [Weatherill] wrote another version and made it his own. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Collins is at pains to point out that the show is more about Denise, the Marilyn Monroe lookalike, than the iconic American actor. 'I don't want people to think they're going to see another Marilyn impersonation, because it's really not, it's kind of more than that. Yes, Denise has the wig and the white dress, but you will see more about her, an aspiring actress from Southend who goes to Hollywood to escape her life and it doesn't work out for her so to make ends meet becomes a Marilyn lookalike. And sadly, she's still a Marilyn lookalike in her mid to late 50s. Denise feels she's more than a lookalike, that she actually embodies her because there are parallels to their lives and struggles. I would say Denise is a bit kooky, a bit out there. She's fun, but also sad. She's living a life through an icon, who died at 33.' How about Collins, is she also fascinated by Marilyn Monroe? 'I read lots of books a few years back when Stewart and I were first working on the play so I probably could go on Mastermind and talk about Marilyn Monroe as my specialist subject. People dismissed her as being this blonde bombshell but she had more to her than meets the eye. She was a strong woman before her time and cleverer than people gave credit. She started her own production company when people weren't doing that and took the studios to court and won. She was involved a lot in politics with a small p: she was with Arthur Miller through the McCarthy era and did a lot for civil rights. When the Mocambo nightclub in Hollywood wouldn't book Ella Fitzgerald because of her race, Marilyn refused to sing until they did and they became friends.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So she was a very strong empowered woman and I think undersold. And I think Denise feels that about herself. And also for me, as an actor, I feel like I'm taking charge of my career by doing this.' But Collins has had a long and successful career and is on primetime TV in one of the nation's favourite soaps. Michelle Collins is back as Cindy Beale in EastEnders. | Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/BBC 'Yes, I am on TV now and a lot more visible than I was. But as a woman, as an actress, as you get older, it kind of changes. When I was in my 30s and 40s, I had big lead roles on television, and I'm not grumbling but it kind of diminishes a bit. And I think you have to fight a bit more as a woman for those roles. So I decided I was going to take a bit more charge of my career, particularly in theatre. Yes, I was doing a lot of commercial jobs to pay the bills and everything, but I wanted something a bit more creative for me. I wanted to create those roles for myself. A lot of actors are doing that. I also made a film, which did very well at festivals. I created that, again for myself.' The film is Black Road, which she made with Genesius Pictures and Debbie Gray, who made Good Luck to You, Leo Grande with Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And then I did a lot of independent film, which I love doing, over the last few years. While Collins was busy creating and collaborating, EastEnders came calling once more, with the return of Cindy after 25 years. 'EastEnders came out of the blue. It was a bit of a shock. And I had to keep it under wraps for a whole year, but it still didn't stop me doing my own stuff. People say, 'how do you do all this, but as I've got older, maybe it's facing my own mortality, I don't know, but I seem to have more energy. I don't know if it's my HRT. I do have an amazing kind of zest for life. I asked EastEnders if it would be possible to have time off to do this play because it's something I really feel strongly about and really want to do and they said yes. I think it's important to let people go and do other things, because when you come back you feel re-energized. Just because you're in a soap you're labeled a soap actor, but we're still all jobbing actors. And for me it's really important to go off and do other things.' 'But I love being in EastEnders. I've been very lucky since I've come back and had great storylines.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marilyn Monroe is definitely an icon, but does Cindy qualify as another? 'So I'm told,' says Collins. She's been through a lot. She was imprisoned, was in with a gangster, had witness protection, had a baby that was taken away, was in prison… Died in childbirth… 'Yeah, and so she goes abroad, meets a man, falls in love, gets married, has two more children, then finds out two of her kids have died, tries to get away then is told she can't go back to Spain… I mean, honestly, it confuses ME. When they told me the backstory, I was like, blimey 25 years of this, how is this woman coping? 'I think she's a complex character and I love playing her. I like her because she's unapologetic. And she's got balls. She's strong, vulnerable, dysfunctional, but passionate. And she's all these things that women really shouldn't be. She's a bit crazy and I know people sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed watching, thinking what's she doing now? But I think they also love to see what she's up to. Everywhere she goes she creates drama and she's just so visible and I love that.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think it's fantastic that older women are represented on screen. Also, why can't older women have affairs? Ok, I'm not condoning it, she did have an affair with her husband's stepson, which probably isn't a cool thing to do if you want to be accepted back into the family. But, you know what? Why not? Women of 60 can go and have affairs and I think people also want to see that on TV and I think that's really important. 'Soaps have always been really great in championing women, matriarchal figures and older women as well.' Michelle Collins plays Denise, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike in Motorhome Marilyn. | Lucy Hayes If Collins' career hadn't worked out the way it has, could she ever have seen herself going down the lookalike route? 'Oh God, I think I can. I remember getting a Kylie look alike for my daughter's birthday party. Yeah. There are people who have made careers out of doing something like that. But when I think of all the jobs I did when I was very, very young, it never really occurred to me to ever be a lookalike. Let's face it, anyone could be a Marilyn lookalike. Just get the blonde wig and iconic dress. Denise, my character says, 'Anybody can get the outfit on Amazon, but I'm different'. She feels she actually embodies Marilyn.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You know, I did go to America when I was 17 with a boyfriend who became a very successful production designer in the film world, and we stayed in Venice Beach and I had the most brilliant time and people said to me, 'stay here and be an actress in America.' And I was tempted, and I do think what would have happened if I'd stayed? But I hadn't finished college here and came back. Sometimes I think what if? I didn't get into drama school but I've worked a lot. Life for me is about successes that come out of failures. I think having to struggle makes you a better person and a stronger person.' 'There are still a lot of things I haven't done and I'm still ticking these boxes. As an actor, as a woman, even more so now, you've got to have a lot of strings to your bow. Because it's very hard, particularly if you're from a working class background,' says the actor who was raised in north London along with her sister Vicki by a single mother who went back into education when Collins was 14 and got a degree. 'So it's important to create things for yourself and be in charge of your career.' After the Fringe, Collins will be back with a bang on EastEnders, but what else is on her bucket list of things she'd love to achieve? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I suppose I've never been asked to work at the National, the Donmar warehouse, the RSC. I've never been asked on Desert Island discs. I'm desperate to do that. There's lots of things. I don't know. I still feel I maybe have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about certain things but that's fine, I'm not angry about it. The other side of it is I feel very lucky and think I'm very privileged to be a woman of a certain age, still working, still doing something I really love. I'm proud I was pretty much a single parent and managed to have a career at the same time and be a creative. Sometimes you have to take jobs you don't really want to do but they're money jobs and then there are the other jobs, the creative jobs, like the Illustrated Mum, which I loved doing, I went to New York to get the international Emmy, and it won the three BAFTAs. So I've had a very varied career. But I'm not one of these people that pats myself on the shoulder. I don't like that. I'm confident but I'm insecure at the same time. I suffer from imposter syndrome like a lot of people but I keep on kicking away and trying to do new things and reinvent myself. And do things out of my comfort zone which is what I'm doing at the Edinburgh Fringe.' Michelle Collins in Motorhome Marilyn. | Lucy Hayes 'You have to be brave. I think to myself what could be worse? I could be doing Bear Grylls again. I'm not at the top of a mountain having to abseil down. That was really terrifying.' 'So who knows what the future holds? You can never be complacent or take anything for granted. I've learned that in life. And I want to enjoy every minute and every day because I've lost so many people over the last few years, my mum, good friends, and sadness and grief creep up on you but also give you strength to move forward and be strong. It's also given me a sense of freedom to go and do my own thing. 'I hope Motorhome Marilyn goes well and people love it. But you know what? It's something I've done, and I needed to do for myself and for Stewart. And to prove that I can.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
Beloved Scottish comedian Gary Little dies aged 61
Comedian Gary Little has died at the age of 61. It has been reported that he died while on a hill climb, but his exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Comedy club The Stand in Glasgow announced the sad news with a statement, writing on social media: 'We here at The Stand are utterly devastated to hear the news of the passing of big Gary Little. An incredible comic, huge personality and friend to many. 'We are lost for words, and he will be profoundly and sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends right now. 'There will be many a comic thinking about him tonight, telling stories and raising a glass. He would have liked that.' Just two weeks ago, Little, hailed as 'one of Scotland's finest comedians,' performed in Dundee for one of his final gigs at entertainment venue Number 57. Taking to Facebook upon learning of his death, the owners wrote: 'Some terribly sad news reaching us today, from all of our wider audience and of course the team here at Number 57 RIP Big Man ….you will sorely missed x' Little was next due to perform stand-up in Aberdeen in September before appearing alongside Raymond Mearns in Still Got It at the Gardyne Theatre at the start of November. After his death became public, shocked comedy fans and fellow performers also shared tributes, with Kevin Bridges writing on Instagram: 'RIP big Gary, very sad news.' More Trending The Some Laugh podcast also penned: 'We're absolutely gutted to learn of the passing of the legend Gary Little. 'Gary was one of the best stand-ups Scotland has ever produced, an absolute powerhouse of a comedian as well as a genuinely lovely guy with a heart of gold. 'It was a pleasure to learn from someone like Gary as we were all coming up on the comedy scene, and his episode an appearance on our live show are up there with the all-time moments of the pod [sic]'. Little rose to prominence on the comedy scene in the early 2000s, having secured a place in the final of one of The Stand's competitions. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. View More » MORE: Comedian Milton Jones shares prostate cancer update after 'dark moments' post-surgery MORE: Comedian Milton Jones gives major prostate cancer update after cancelling tour MORE: 'The Edinburgh Fringe left me bankrupt and homeless – here is my big idea to save it'
Metro
13 hours ago
- Metro
Harry Potter director reveals struggle to get support from 'suspicious' crew
Harry Potter director Chris Columbus recalled the crew's initial suspicions of him and how much 'work' it took to get their support. The filmmaker helmed the first two movies in the franchise, 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and 2002 sequel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He most recently worked on the eagerly-anticipated adaptation of the Thursday Murder Club on Netflix, starring Pierce Brosnan, Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie During a Q&A session with the cast at the New York premiere, held at the Paris Theater, host Josh Horowitz asked how he managed being an American surrounded by a group of A-list Brits on set – and he compared the experience to his efforts on the wizarding series. 'I had already been through it with Potter,' the 66-year-old replied, explaining that he grew up with a 'love of everything British', stemming from the Beatles and watching A Hard Day's Night and Help! 'I'm pretty well steeped in the culture, and I dealt with all the jokes and the ridiculousness when I started Harry Potter – the first two weeks, the crew was completely suspicious of me. '[They] thought, 'What's this Yank doing here?' I heard all the Chris Columbus, Christopher Columbus jokes… But then you have to keep up. You have to keep up a certain level. 'The thing about working with the Brits is you have to keep up a certain level of humor. It's self-deprecating humor, and you have to be as sharp as f**k. 'You cannot ever, ever… If you lose your step, you lose your step for the whole shoot. 'For me, it was casting all of these incredibly brilliant, funny people and just keeping up with them. I hope that endeared me to the crew the second time. 'It was a lot of work on Potter to get that support from the crew – it felt a lot more comfortable going back for the second time on this movie. I'd do it again in a second.' Chris jumped straight into another book adaptation – with a mostly British cast – for the Thursday Murder Club, which is landing on Netflix in just a few weeks. The upcoming murder mystery film, based on Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name, follows retirees who spend their free time casually solving cold cases – but things take a murderous turn when they are thrown into a real crime. Naomi Ackie, Richard E Grant, Tom Ellis, David Tennant and Daniel Mays make up the rest of the line-up. Speaking of the star-studded cast, Chris revealed that they were all the first choices for their roles – which had only previously happened when working on Harry Potter. He continued: 'The interesting comparison, ironically, is that on Potter, we made a list of all of our first choices – Dame Maggie Smith, Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane – and they all said yes, and that has not happened to me in 20 years, until this book.' 'And it was Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie, and they all said yes. It inspires you to only want to work with British actors because they say yes,' he laughed. 'It was a labor of love … because when I walked in the first day of rehearsal, when we were reading through the script, the four of them were sitting there, and it was 160 years of British cinema, and it's very intimidating. More Trending 'I could hear my voice [shaking] and I had to get over that. 'They just set such a level of trust. I felt trusted, and I hope you all felt trusted. It was just this level of trust that we all had through the course of the film. I think you can see it on screen, definitely.' View More » The Thursday Murder Club is premiering on Netflix on August 28. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Home Alone director reveals why a reboot would be a huge 'mistake' MORE: The most iconic Fast and Furious villain is still 'waiting for a call' to appear in sequel MORE: The first 'feel-good' body horror left me thinking about its extreme scenes for days
