Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#90): This Is Not A Test Theatre, DEGENERATE
As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by This Is Not A Test Theatre to chat about their show, Degenerate.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
Of course! Degenerate is a comedy-horror show about a woman trying to do her big solo debut hour — but nothing’s going to plan and something (or someone) keeps messing with her show. It’s equal parts theatre, comedy and chaos.
On paper, it’s a satirical take on aging in a culture obsessed with youth — but really, it’s just a wild ride through this ridiculous world we’re all somehow expected to survive (and ‘thrive’) in.
It’s funny, very silly, a bit magical but also…creepy? Like edge of your seat (hopefully). Think The Mighty Boosh doing The Substance. Or Twilight on edibles…
In terms of inspiration, there is a bit of a backstory (sorry). Basically Becky (my director) and I were introduced eight years ago when she was looking for an actor for a project and we instantly clicked. The last show we did together, I was 8.5 months pregnant on stage at Camden Peoples’ Theatre thinking - well if anything goes wrong at least there's a hospital across the street..? That was followed by the pandemic and I came out the other side with a toddler, a second baby (we were bored), shell-shocked and thinking - so what do I do now? I'm not old - but I’m not exactly young. Where do I fit in? I started seeing how loads of women, and especially younger women, were having cosmetic work done/going under the knife and it made me wonder if youth and beauty really are our only currency.
So Degenerate was spawned.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
Can I make a confession? I lived in Glasgow for 3 years (going to RCS) and I never went to the fringe...once. What?! I know, I know, even I can’t believe it.
So 2 years ago we got the opportunity to dip our toes into the Fringe and we jumped at the chance. We got invited to bring 10 minutes of Degenerate to Summerhall Surgeries and spent the rest of the weekend cramming 15 shows into 2 days like total maniacs. It was amazing… and also a cautionary tale. Apparently you’re supposed to sleep AND eat. Who knew!?
After that whirlwind weekend we knew we wanted to bring Degenerate to Fringe but we also knew we couldn’t go until we had some money and the show was ready. One of those two things is currently true. Along with Summerhall, we’ve had support from Theatre Deli and now Soho Theatre Labs which has been dreamy.
We’ve been working on this show for a couple of years—between school drop-offs and carefully curated skin care routines—and the conversation around how we are expected to age, especially as women, the extremes we feel we need to go to is being talked about more openly. Films like The Substance are shining a light on it, but at its core, this show is about self-love and owning your power. And honestly, with the state of the world, we could all use a bit of that right now.
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
Lights! Camera! Delusion! (exclamation marks essential, obviously.)
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
Honestly? I just want people to have fun. Because what are we doing all this for if it’s not fun for everyone.
But also if they leave thinking that aging really is a privilege — however you choose to do it (gracefully, disgracefully, with Botox or with biscuits) because everyone is already perfect. Just look in that mirror, go ahead, sneak a quick peek – see that? you. are. perfect.
(Also: fermentation is freedom. Let yourself pickle. Embrace your weird. And stop giving a sh*t. {apologies for swearing}).
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Based on my limited experience? Sleep, eat, repeat. And I feel like a massage might be good too.
6. Where and when can people see your show?
Degenerate is on from 30 July - 23 August (not 5, 12, 19), Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker One), every night at 23:10. Bring coffee, wrinkle cream and your best Shania Twain outfit.
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/degenerate
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