Next in our Edinburgh Fringe interview series, we speak to Stacie Burrows about bringing her solo musical show Fool’s Goldmine to the festival. The show is described as: “Stacie Burrows was blissfully growing up rich in 1980s Houston, Texas, only to find out it wasn’t real. The phone rang constantly. Why wouldn’t her parents answer? She adores her father, though he made every financial blunder under the sun. She swore to never live like that. And yet, she’s deep in debt, raising her own family in Los Angeles where wealth is on display. Instead of keeping up with the Joneses, she’s just trying to keep up with herself, remaining true to the roots that matter. Burrows goes from well-to-do to well-to-don’t in this solo music show.”
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
Fool’s Goldmine is a cautionary tale about living beyond your means. It’s a combination of storytelling, original music, and archival media. It’s a humorous-serious look at the American debt crisis.
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
It started with one song, the titular track, Fool’s Goldmine. That led to 8 more songs and stories to connect them all. Also, the show reflects where I am in life right now. Under-funded, but full of ambition.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
Well, hopefully, I’ll be off-book by Fringe! Ha ha. I performed the song Fool’s Goldmine for a few years and people always wanted to know a little bit more about the context & meaning behind it. So, I wrote the whole story and that’s what audiences will see now.
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
Most of the Fringe performers are all in the same boat – they’ve got talent, a dream, and the hard-work ethic to back it all up, but they lack funding. Most of us will put all our money right back into our art. The return on investment is overwhelmingly positive, if not monetarily, but rather soul-filling. Everyone I know if LA is broke as a joke, but no one wants to talk about it because it’s embarrassing. But that’s what I do: I talk about uncomfortable stuff and sing pretty songs about it.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
This will be my 4th original work in the last 5 years. (Bulletproof Unicorn 2022, Laughable 2024, No Good Drunk 2025) It pleases me to no end to be able to keep working with my team to create unique, memorable & meaningful shows and original music. It also represents my absolute commitment to the form. I will continue writing and performing Fringe shows until the ideas or I expire (whichever one comes first).
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
Funding, always, funding. But I am learning where to spend money and where to pass. I’m only trying to fill a 20-seater for a month, so I’m not going to be able to spend big bucks on all of the advertising opportunities. Word of mouth combined with personable flyering will be my strategy.
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
Ha. Well, they will probably feel a lot better about their own financial blunders!
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
I believe in the reps. It’s important for me to form the muscle memory and the ritual of the whole experience: from flyering & promo, to setting up, performing the show, to striking the set, all in about 70 minutes. It makes it so enjoyable to just do the show and be in the moment with the audience that chose my show that day.
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
I understand that my absolute inspiration TIM MINCHIN has sponsored several shows at Gilded Balloon. I’ve met him several times and he’s a joy. I have easily seen him perform 30 times. It would just about make my entire life if I spotted him in my audience. I don’t know if he will be there, but it would be nice to get a high-five and a hello. But honestly, the audiences that choose my show make it all worthwhile for me. I love to chat with new people after the show as we swap relatable experiences.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Dress for the debt you want.
Fool’s Goldmine runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7th-29th August 2026 (except 16th & 23rd).