Award-winning performer Thomas Currie brings his late-night cabaret show Basically Nocturnal to Edinburgh. A celebration of the midnight hours, Currie reimagines classics and performs original songs, sharing gripping stories from ghostly tales to unforgettable dates. Gilded Balloon Patter House (Blether), from 30th July – 25th August at 21:40
- Thank you for chatting with A Young(ish) Perspective! Introduce us to who you are and what your doing at the Edinburgh Fringe this year?
Hi! I’m Thomas Currie. I’m originally from Australia and moved to London mid-last year, so performing at the Edinburgh Fringe will actually mark my first year of living in the UK! I’m bringing a show called Basically Nocturnal to the Gilded Balloon – it’s a collection of stories and songs woven together by the theme of the nighttime. It’s a great show for night owls!
- A Youngish Perspective platforms accessible arts and champions the huge scope of different perspectives – can you tell us about the show you’re taking to Edinburgh Festival Fringe as if you’re flyering to both a young first-time-Fringe goer and a festival veteran returning every year?
Personally, I’ve always been a night owl, and Basically Nocturnal is a love letter to those 2am thoughts and epiphanies – a collection of individual stories ranging from a good ghost tale to a disastrously awkward date. It’s me on piano and vocals, joined by an incredible electric cellist who weaves atmospheric soundscapes throughout.
The show is essentially a late-night cabaret – but not in the ‘rhinestones and feathers’ sense. Think of it as a journey through one restless night. It’s very funny with its touching, more sincere moments as well.
Musically, it blends original songs with a few reimagined older gems – including a fresh take on Harry Chapin’s Mr. Tanner. With a background in musical theatre, there’s definitely a touch of that storytelling style and ‘sound’ in the mix too.
It’s an intimate show, and even dives into the world of AI – we ask the audience for a story, and challenge AI to turn it into a song live on stage. It’s funny, chaotic, and a surprising lens on how different generations respond to technology and creativity.
Whether you’re a first-time Fringe-goer (like me) or a festival regular, I think there’s something in it for everyone. I’ve always said: it’s a show for anyone who’s ever tossed, turned, or found themselves two days past their bedtime.
- What makes the Basically Nocturnal audience unique, do you think that the nature of the show makes the audience more vulnerable and open?
Definitely. What surprises me is just how varied the audience is – the audience really spans generations and backgrounds. I think the nature of the show – involving music and having a focus on experiences we can all relate to – this eliminates certain barriers. I aim to create a really intimate atmosphere throughout the show, as if we’re in a living room somewhere having a laugh. I think by doing this, you build a particularly strong connection between yourself and the audience. That’s the key.
- Late night thoughts are often categorised by being wild and unpredictable, how do you keep the show grounded and focused when the inspiration is a bit chaotic?
Awesome question! For me, it’s all about crafting the arc of the show – mapping out the highs and lows, both emotionally and energetically. Even when a show leans into chaos, it needs an underlying structure to carry the audience through. Otherwise, it risks feeling scattered.
So I carefully consider the flow – when a big, powerful musical moment is needed, when it’s time for something quiet and intimate, when the laughs need to land, or when we can sit in a moment of stillness. That contrast is everything. It’s a craft – sculpting chaos into something cohesive and compelling.
- Who would your surprise dream audience member be?
Oooooo… Can we get Neil deGrasse Tyson or Brian Cox to come along? Imagine them chiming in with fascinating facts about the cosmos between songs – it would fit the nighttime theme perfectly!