EDINBURGH 2023: Zoe Coombs Marr Q&A

BWW caught up with Zoe Coombs Marr to chat about bringing The Opener to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about The Opener

The Opener is a show that started as a dare I couldn’t back down from. Years ago I put this character “Dave” to bed. He’s a parody of a hack male comic, a loveable bigot, and I felt like I’d done all I could with him. Me too had happened, and he didn’t seem so relevant. But then these guys who’d supposedly been “cancelled” started appearing back on the scene, and then all this anti trans and anti queer material started popping up in comedy again… and it felt like we’d all suffered some sort of collective amnesia. So, after the millionth article about cancel culture came out, a friend asked me “what do you reckon Dave would make of this?” And I said, JOKING, “oh well he would have a lot of hot takes but he’s just come out of a coma and he’s only seen Dave Chappelle’s special” and they said “you have to do that” and I never back down from a dare, so now here we are. 

What happened to Dave in 2016?

He slipped into a coma after a freak miming accident (trapped in a glass box, hit his head on a glass ceiling, very tragic) or, depending on how you look at it, I decided to stop performing as him. 

How is he adjusting to 2023?

Not well! 

How is the show presented?

It’s a drag show. And it’s stand up. I glue hair to my face & muck around onstage leaning on microphone stands. Just simple stand up! That’s show biz baby! 

Also there are a few acid fuelled meta time loops in there and possibly dancing, but I don’t want to give too much away. (There’s dancing) 

Who would you recommend comes to see The Opener?

Not kids! There are too many off jokes. Or, if you do come, sit near the back. Actually, I feel bad now. Kids, you can come, and sit where you like, especially if it means you’ll like me more. I do talk about penises a lot, but it’s not that off. I’m so sorry about what I said before. I live to please. 

This is really a show for people who will like this show. So if you think you might like this show, I reckon you’re the prime demographic for liking this show. It’s fun! I promise! And look, I know what it looks like - a lesbian dressed as man talking about cancel culture…? Kill me now. I get it! It’s hard to describe it without it sounding dryyyy and poliiiiitical (and yes there’s an element of that) but mostly, it’s a very silly show with a very silly guy. Anyway, hope to see you there. You’re a great crowd. 

Tickets are available here: 

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