“dark and demented…. what the Fringe is all about.”
—The Wee Review
“enough energetic idosyncrasy to become a cult hit.” ★★★★
—The London Student

Several entries into Philadelphia’s 2018 Fringe Festival got a full tryout at the mother of Fringes in Edinburgh, Scotland, which concludes today. Chris Davis treated Scottish audiences to his 2012 play Drunk Lion before his world premiere of The Presented this September. Lee Minora received plaudits for White Feminist, part of this year’s Festival in Philadelphia. The pair shared an apartment in Edinburgh with Sarah Knittel, whose NIGHTMARE FUEL is taking #EdFringe Twitter by storm.

The sassy @sarahknittel captivated the audience with her naughty ‘innocence’ – #nightmarefuel was dark, saucy, gruesome and utterly hilarious. The first show that went on my list, did not disappoint! #EdFringe18

— The Errant Daughter (@errant_daughter) August 4, 2018

Nightmare Fuel from @sarahknittel was amazing! Weird, WTFIsGoingOn, loveable craziness! Highly recommend. #nightmarefuel #nastysqueezes #Edfringe #intotheunknown

— Emily Bone (@BoneTheatre) August 22, 2018

“I didn’t expect people to be so on board with the show,” says Knittel. “I thought I would be heckled or hated for being American or saying ‘pussy’ 100x in the show. At first, the audience would respond with super UK-polite smiles and muffled laughs, but, by the end, people are shocking themselves with how much they are willing to play along.”

“dark and demented…Not only is it in turns disconcerting and entertaining on a surface level, but works as an allegory for an abusive, gas-lighting relationship without bashing the crowd over the head with a hectoring sermon…what fringe is all about” Weereview #edfringe

— Sarah Knittel (@sarahknittel) August 7, 2018

Just watched @sarahknittel’s ‘Nightmare Fuel’. Hilarious, intense, and slightly disturbing; bloody brilliant.

— Arran Watt (@arranwhat) August 10, 2018

“My biggest fans are young men ages 16-22. I guess for better or worse, I’ve found my people,” she adds. “They like fart noises as much as I do.”

Saw the most insane show earlier, ‘Nightmare Fuel’ by @sarahknittel! Both hilarious and disturbing, loved it!

— Rhys Llewelyn (@rhys_llewelyn) August 10, 2018

If u see one thing in the fringe see #nightmarefuel sooooo fucking funny holy shit (and free ££)

— Robbie (@robbie_gold) August 12, 2018

Sarah detailed her typical day in Edinburgh:

• Meditate and stretch.
• Grab some coffee from Cheap Shots, a converted police booth turned coffee shop, with flatmates Lee Minora and Chris Davis. The three of us make breakfast together, and do a few hours of “admin” work.
• See a morning show or explore a new neighborhood
• Lunch/stress how there are no vegetables
• Disco nap. more meditating.
• Very embarrassed about this because it’s not cool… I do a quick vocal warm-up. It’s vocally demanding to spend 2+ hrs flyering followed immediately by your performance.
• Flyer from 4-6:15 pm. I must have said “free show in an hour” and “hilarious naughty slumber party about demons and stupid ex boyfriends” 10,000 times.
• 15 minutes to set up!!!! Holy shit. I still haven’t totally gotten over the floating anxiety I have around the short set up time. Double check lights, sound, set props, get in costume and makeup, run front of house.
• DO THE SHOW! This is the best part of the day. Someone said, “flyering is the job, and the show is the vacation.” I love my show and get a high from sharing it with whoever shows up.
• Head back to the flat. Chris Davis usually makes dinner. HIS CHICKEN IS THE BEST! He is the most generous human.
• Have a drink
• See more shows
• Have more drinks
• Fall asleep with all the lights on

#NightmareFuel by @sarahknittel is one of the Fringiest experiences you can have at the #edfringe!

4* review: https://t.co/eyqZo7hymC pic.twitter.com/nH6KGD3Gb4

— London Student (@LondonStudent) August 14, 2018

Recommendations from today. #nightmarefuel #nastysqueezes #EdFringe #intotheunknown a true fringe show. So entertaining a must see. Fellow newsroom performer. For Horror fans and non horror fans something for all. pic.twitter.com/blEXJXLlId

— Nightmares_productions (@Nightmaresprod1) August 21, 2018

@sarahknittel Action shot ???? pic.twitter.com/mAXtWtLxoi

— Oxford Alternotives (@OxAlts) August 11, 2018

#nightmarefuel Is a must see @sarahknittel is an intrepid and inspiring artist. Kudos to her #edfringe #nastysqueezes #intotheunknown @ Edinburgh, United Kingdom https://t.co/DhLRgWiyus

— banditbarks (@Godanielgo) August 12, 2018

@sarahknittel crazier version of Sarah Silverman/wet hot American summer

— kit???????????????????????????? (@Kittidar1) August 13, 2018

Hilarious/disturbing/sexy show #nightmarefuel at #edfringe by @sarahknittel – truly awesome, 1815 at newsroom

— Tim Norwood (@tmnrwd) August 15, 2018

Probably the most random show I will ever see (and be a part of) but it was so much fun. Highly recommend @sarahknittel #NightmareFuel show at #EdFringe #IntoTheUnknown #NastySqueezes

— Tony McNab (@mcnab_) August 19, 2018

@sarahknittel awesome show. Such good entertainment. Phenomenal characterisations Especially loved horror tropes. #nightmarefuel #nastysqueezes #EdFringe #intotheunknown

— Nightmares_productions (@Nightmaresprod1) August 21, 2018

Please see @sarahknittel wildly horrific & hilarious show at Newsroom @freefringefest. THIS is what #edfringe is all about. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://t.co/xWzjpglhg1

— Peter Michael Marino (@blackoutpete) August 24, 2018

“I want to bring all that I’ve learned in Edinburgh back to Philly,” Knittel tells FringeArts. “I’ve grown leaps and bounds as a performer here in Edinburgh. It’s grounded me, wiped clean my ego, and prepped me for ANYTHING to happen before, during, or after my show. Philly, I will destroy you with laughter. I will blow your minds with catharsis. You’re going to need lots of lube because I’m going to jackrabbit you into 2038.”

My butthole is tired #EdFringe #IntoTheUnknown #immersive

— Sarah Knittel (@sarahknittel) August 19, 2018

Are we ready?

What: NIGHTMARE FUEL
When: September 8-24
Where: Panorama Philly, 5213 Grays Avenue (West Philly)
Cost: $15
Created by Sarah Knittel
FringeArts.com/event/nightmare-fuel