Absolutely brilliant. It's a show about nuance and how you are allowed to disagree with someone on certain things. Go see if you're even remotely political. Also it blows the 'edgy' comedian argument out of the water and into the bin.
www.starburstmagazine.com/features/joe-sellman-leava-copycat/
Joe Sellman-Leava is a writer, performer. They also run Worklight Theatre: a company that makes new, interdisciplinary shows that examine our rapidly changing world, through personal stories. We adored Joe’s previous 2022 show FANBOY. We caught up with him to find out about his new show, COPYCAT.
How would you pitch Copycat to someone who spends too much time on ChatGPT?
How do you feel when you use a Large Language Model, like ChatGPT? Do you find it helpful – even enjoyable? Do you see it as a means to an end, or maybe have a quiet fear that, if you don’t use it, you might get left behind? Whatever the answer, it’s likely you have an opinion about AI, and its impact on your work, life and the world you live in. COPYCAT is a new show that wrestles with some of these questions, with a story of a teacher and a student (set in a school in the 2000s, when we were still asking Jeeves!), and a whirlwind of impressions. It might make you rethink your relationship with chatbots, and it might not. Either way, it’s a fun way to spend an hour, and we’re confident you’ll have a good time!
And how would you pitch it to someone who has seen Terminator too many times?
Do you agree with James Cameron that he “tried to warn us” with this movie, back in the 80s? Are you so worried about AI that you feel like Kyle Reese in police custody – “you still don’t get it do you?! YOU CAN’T STOP IT!” – like the only sane person in an insane world? Well, this show might just be for you! COPYCAT asks what AI is doing to us and the world we live in, testing the claims made by tech barons, with plenty of impressions (including Arnie!), anchored in a joyful, live experience that celebrates what it means to be human.
How different is it from FANBOY?
They’re both auto-fictitious in nature –drawing on real experiences and turning them into a story. Both are a result of very collaborative processes. COPYCAT leans even more into the impressions, which are a significant gesture in the show, used to examine the role of imitation in life, learning and creativity. While both shows have ambitious technical designs, COPYCAT has longer sections with little-to-no tech, with plenty of tangible, hand-made art. We really wanted to celebrate what theatre and storytelling can do best: connect people in a live, shared experience.
Is technophobia ever justified?
I think asking questions is vital – especially of new technologies and how they’re used, funded and regulated. I love Cory Doctorow’s questions on this: who is the technology doing something to (i.e. citizens and workers)? And who is it doing it for (i.e. owners and tyrants)?
In the long run, many technologies have benefited humanity. But before the printing press enabled the scientific revolution, it gave political power to a fringe conspiracy theory that witches lived among us and were agents of Satan – leading the death and torture of tens of thousands of innocent people. Before the industrial revolution enabled public transport, healthcare, homes and education, and the civic of trade unions (which led to workers’ rights, the eight hour day, paid holidays and pensions), it was used by empires (for colonisation, slavery, genocide and war), and by robber barons to create and control monopolies.
I think of myself as somewhat technophobic: partly because I prefer working with people and without screens, but mostly because I think history tells us that the benefits of technology often happen despite the people who own them, not because of them.
What is your favourite part of the show?
Currently it’s the opening salvo of impressions: it’s just a fun way to introduce people to the story, characters and the world of COPYCAT.
Name one thing that everyone has in your ideal future?
Agency. I think if you look at the overlapping crises of climate, conflict, housing, inequality and cost-of living, and how these are and will likely continue to be compounded by the current financial and governance structures around AI, a common thread is how they rob people of agency: a safe and healthy planet; affordable homes; fair pay, opportunity and a decent quality of life.
Why the Edinburgh Fringe?
If you’re able to go, it can be such a great way to get a new show ready and find its audience. I also just love how much art and culture is packed into one place: an already stunning city, teeming with thousands of shows, artists and audiences, for an entire month – there’s nothing quite like it!
What was your inspiration for the show?
I work as a screenwriter in children’s TV, and was at a conference the year ChatGPT launched. I got the last seat in a workshop titled: ‘can AI create a new children’s TV show?’ COPYCAT started as an examination of why I – and writers like me – don’t have enough work on right now. But the more I’ve learned, the more I think that the questions AI poses for humanity are much deeper and more existential. The show is an attempt to make sense of that, and to ask what it means to be human.
Where else can we see you?
COPYCAT will be touring throughout autumn 2026 and spring 2027. I’m also co-producer and dramaturg on my friend and collaborator Dylan Howells’s show, FORGET ABOUT ME, which weaves magic, horror and storytelling into a unique little ghost story (also at Pleasance, this Fringe).
Phantom Menace or Force Awakens?
I think it’s funny that films both opened to such commercial success and fanfare, then were given an increasingly hard time by some fans and critics as time passed. I think the prequel trilogy came to be appreciated as its own thing, by its own audience and wonder if the same will be true of the sequels, in time. But I’m stalling… I think I’d say The Phanom Menace: for the set pieces, the cast and Duel of the Fates. And my affection for Jar Jar Binks!
Spaced or Community?
Spaced. I love its ability to weave film, geek and pop-cultural references into memorable characters and moving storylines, with so many great gags. Actually I haven’t seen it in years…I want to rewatch it now…
Wall-E or The Matrix?
I’m a huge Pixar fan and Wall-E is great, but I’d have to say The Matrix! My brother and I pretty much wore out our VHS copy when we were kids, and it’s one of the dystopian sci-fi films we’ve looked at while researching and creating COPYCAT (trying to find out just how deep the rabbit hole goes…)
STARBURST has been covers the Edinburgh Festival Fringe because it’s a really nice way to find talent and shows that many may have missed. We’ve poured through the thick, thick pages of listings guide looking genre relevant shows that may well delight our readers.
They are a lot of shows to go through, and we’ve picked out some of the best. This is by no means comprehensive; they are over 3,600 shows at this year’s Fringe, so we’ve probably missed one of two. Anyway, enjoy this year’s list.
A Ghost Among the Living
Box Tale Soup adapt classic works of literature (including Orwell and M.R. James) through the clever use of puppets and performance. Their latest production is inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Expect weird puppets and brilliant story-telling. A festival must-see.
Andrew Doherty: Reviewers Welcome… TO DIE!
We do love a good horror comedy, and Doherty seems to have honed the art. His latest show sees a hapless reviewer get mired into creepy events, whilst the reviewer ponders his ultimate sin of only giving out three stars to a show. By the way, check out our review of Andrew’s Hammer Horror inspired previous show, Gay Witch Sex Cult…
The Real Housewives of the Zombie Apocalypse
Honestly we were sold on this for the name alone. Zombies vs Reality TV isn’t a new idea, but add the fact that this is a musical and we are super excited to see it. The buzz on this show has been consistently high, who can resist?
Chris Grace 88%
Last year Chris showed off his incredible talent with 27 Hours, a rolling improv stand-up show that changed entirely every show. His new show promises an all-new hour of comedy. 88% asks the question “can you get along with someone you only mostly agree with?” If anyone can pull of a show about nuance, it’s Dropout TV’s very own champion, Chris Grace.
All Three Heated Rivalry Parodies
Canadian sports romance drama Heated Rivalry is the current big thing this year, with its own unique cult following and memes, etc. In the grand tradition of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe , they are three shows parodying the break-out hit, each with a slightly different approach, including the inevitable drag version.
Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It
Xhloe and Natasha have been the darlings of the Fringe for a few years now. The New York based clowns are known for their physical comedy and incredible acting chops. This year’s show is right up STARBURST’s alley; a tale of two girls who fake a Bigfoot sighting and get in way over their heads as their superstitious local town takes things too far. Expect to be amazed, and don’t forget to pay attention.
Juliette Burton: Villain Era
Finding properly geeky comedy, performed by professional geeks who ‘get it’ is pretty much the reason why STARBURST comes to the Fringe in the first place. Juliette balances nerdy fun with real issues in a compelling and hilarious way. We really liked their previous show Hopepunk and their new work, Villain Era, promises to explore the dark side and take the battle to the real dragons. Sounds like a great time to us.
Slay the Vamps Down: A Buffy Burlesque Parody
Can a TV show be truly described as a cult hit if it hasn’t had a burlesque show dedicated to it? Cardiff based Clumsy Cabaret honours the cult classic show with some stunning fun. This show has a super short run; blink and you will miss it.
We have a problem (WIP)
The Fringe is an excellent place to see work in progress, and the Shedinburgh venues do attract some very interesting and exciting talent. We Have A Problem is about an astronaut stranded in space, with only person back on Earth able to help them being the work experience guy. Comedy weirdness from Mischief, the people who brought you The Play That Goes Wrong.
Demi Adejuyigbe Sells Out
We adored Demi’s previous show Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One (1) Backflip, which featured a surprising number of terrible robots and the expected amount of backflips. Demi, who is certainly a star in our eyes, uses his latest show to explore the concept of fame. Expect brilliantly skewed humour, some incredibly clever and awkward moments and probably less acrobatics.
War of the Worlds (On a Budget)
Who needs CGI when you have puppets and a dream? One man, one loop pedal and some very dodgy looking Martian War Machines is all you should need. HG Wells classic as you’ve never seen it before.
Rob Kemp: Beatlesjuice
You likely know Rob Kemp from his previous show, The Elvis Dead. This time Rob mashes up Liverpool’s most famous export with one of the cheesiest horror comedy’s ever made. Clap your hands or rattle your shrunken heads, this should be a very fun time.
John Robertson: Excitable Boy
John is best known for his world-wide smash hit on-stage shouty game-show The Dark Room, but he’s also an incredible stand-up comedian best known for his super-energetic style and wry wit. We are genuinely surprised he’s not more famous than he already is. Go see any show John is doing this year, but especially this one as it is bound to showcase exactly how talented this maniac is.
Apparently Ugly: A Stepsister Story
The ongoing quest to find a show that takes a fantasy story and turns it on it’s head continues with Apparently Ugly, in which we explore the Cinderella story from another angle. With fabulous music and amazing costumes, of course. Always worth taking a look at new takes on old stories, and you never know, this one may well run and run.
Cricket & The Freebugs
70’s pop meets whimsy in this tale of magical talking insects who make the big time as musicians. A rags to riches fantasy with some cracking tunes.
Bliss
Fairytale Heroines. The Musical. We’ve heard worse pitches and it’s nice to see the old stories get the musical treatment. This promises to be biggest musical of the fringe, a super bold claim, but one that it might well live up to, especially if all the wishes come true. If you’re a pixies or a fairy godmother, this is a must see.
Adorable Comedians Performing Funny Poetry and Telling Lovely Stories
And finally, a show that does exactly what it says on the tin, more or less. Slightly off the beaten track, but it sounds like a great way to start your Fringe experience.
You can book for the Edinburgh Fringe via the EdFringe website. Our Top Returning List can be found here.
From Batman – Judge Dredd – Judgment on Gotham
Here's a list of links of SNL UK folk who have shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Let me know if I've missed anyone. (Note: simply sticking a name into the Fringe website doesn't always get you accurate results.)
(I've not done US, and I'm not going to do US, that's way to much like hard work. If someone else would like that would be amazing.)
CAST
Larry Dean
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/larry-dean-hellbent
Ayoade Bamgboye
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ayoade-bamgboye-swings-and-roundabouts
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ayoade-bamgboye-small-talk-wip-q-a
Ania Magliano
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ania-magliano-peach-fuzz
Paddy Young
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/paddy-young-will-sir-be-laughing-alone
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/paddy-young-presents-a-night-with-the-stars
Jake Bhardwaj (The Ebay Guy)
https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:6757/
WRITERS
WRITERS
Ayo Adenekan
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ayo-adenekan-homeland-insecurity
Bella Hull
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bella-hull-mad-cow-disease
Celya AB
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/celya-ab-we-must-stop-meeting-like-this
Chris Cantrill
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/chris-cantrill-rewilding
Jonno Johnson
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jonno-here-comes-mr-funny
Lorna Rose Treen
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/one-joke
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lorna-rose-treen-work-in-progress
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lorna-rose-treen-now-that-s-what-i-call-characters
Omar Badawy
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/omar-badawy-guided-detour
GUESTS
Graham Norton
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/wanging-on-live
Kate Butch
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/kate-butch-a-kate-in-the-hand-is-worth-two-in-the-butch