Ellie MacPherson made her Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2022, with the critically acclaimed comedy-cabaret Happy Birthday, Mr President! and now returns to the festival with Babe Lincoln.
It’s a show packed with big tunes and little-known facts about Abraham Lincoln – a riotous historical cabaret that gradually leads into incredible stories from Ellie’s own life, allowing her to explore why we should all be a bit more like Abe.
She took time out of her hectic schedule, including packing an entire bathtub for her trip to Edinburgh, to tell us more about her show.
Q&A with Ellie MacPherson
How does it feel to be returning to Edinburgh Fringe?
I cannot wait to return to rainy Edinburgh, and not just because we’re currently in a heat wave here in NYC. My first Fringe went by in such a whirl; I’m excited to have a better sense of what to expect (ie, no vegetables, lots of clowns). And this time I’m actually staying in Edinburgh so you won’t catch me running through Edinburgh Waverly to catch the last train out.
What can you tell us about your show and its inspiration?
Babe Lincoln is the one man show Abe Lincoln would have written about his early life. I’ve been obsessed with Abraham Lincoln for as long as I can remember. A few years ago I read Joshua Wolf Shenk’s Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness and was immediately struck by how little we know about Lincoln’s early life. And how much of a sad emo boy he was. A sad emo boy who loved the theatre. I also identify as a sad emo boy that loves that theatre. Everything feels so heavy politically right now, I thought it would be fun to see Abe be a cabaret clown.
How do you think audiences will react to the show?
Hopefully better than John Wilkes Booth.
How have you been preparing for the festival?
Rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. And then writing packing list after packing list. We’re bringing our daughter over for the festival, flying out on her 1 year birthday and let me tell you, kids need a lot of stuff. Who cares if their shoes are tiny, they require you bring a whole BATHTUB with you. Also, I’ve been going to a lot of therapy to prepare.
Will you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the festival?
I hope so! Some of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen were at the Fringe (looking at you, Stamptown) and I could use a laugh. Plus as much as packing for my daughter is a pain I can not wait to explore the kids programming. I want to see some Circus!!!
Ellie MacPherson on Babe Lincoln is at Pleasance Courtyard from 1 to 25 August
