US-based writer and performer Stacie Burrows is back at the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a new show Fool’s Goldmine. The artist is known for her works that focus on real-life themes and raw subject matters, and this will be her fourth Edinburgh show, following on from Bulletproof Unicorn (2022), Laughable (2024), and the award-winning No Good Drunk (2025). Intrigued by the idea that Stacie’s latest show would be about the widely not talked about subject of personal finance, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask the performer some questions ahead of her EdFringe return.
How did you get into writing and performing?
I was born a writer/performer. Literally, smack dab out of the womb. Being a writer begins with observation. I was fortunately added to a Brady Bunch mix of 5 kids in a blended family where there was wildness and chaos to keep me inspired. I didn’t initially begin writing about my family. I spent years doing stand-up, improv, sketch, and musical comedy about anything that made me laugh, hoping that I could provoke the same response from strangers. I have been on stage since the age of 5. Once I got a dose of it, I was hooked. I love sharing stories and connecting with others.
What inspired you to bring your first show to Edinburgh back in 2022, and what is it about the festival that has made you want to present new work almost every year since?
EdFringe was something I kept hearing about and it became that little pest that kept tapping me on the shoulder for years. I’m a fan of Tim Minchin and he mentioned it as a key to his success in his documentary.
I took Bulletproof Unicorn to Fringe in 2022 because, honestly, I was a bit scared to tell that story in the US. It was a solo show based on lived experience with my mentally ill, addicted brother. He was threatening to murder me and my kids. I knew I could safely tell the story in Scotland because he couldn’t find me there. And, of course, I made a dark comedy out of it. I wanted to show my kids that you can take a traumatic experience and turn it into something powerful and entertaining.
I’m completely addicted to EdFringe. The month of August, with its mixture of international artists, the wild ride of making it to the finish line, and the reunion of Fringe Friends, and new local friends literally propels me to make it through the entire year. It fills my cup, or pint as it were.
Your solo shows are typically raw and cover themes such as family dysfunction, mental health and addiction. How have you approached the topic of financial recklessness in Fool’s Goldmine?
After spending decades doing shows that were a distraction from what was underneath my caustic humor, I took a note from the owner of NYC Gotham Comedy Club, Chris Mazzilli. He was very supportive of me in my early years of doing stand-up. His advice was, “Talk about the real stuX.” So, now I write from where I stand. The US economy is in shambles and everyone I know is BROKE, including myself. As I was navigating my own financial issues, I became curious about how my Texas family lost it all. Thankfully, my dad is very open about everything and was able to answer a lot of questions I had. I saw parallels in our attempts as parents to give our kids the “best.” But I am trying to course correct the issues so that I don’t hit rock bottom.
I approach the subject matter of financial recklessness with an honest, matter of fact retelling of how the ship started sinking, ironically, when I was 18, funding my own education and lifestyle. I kept repeating my parent’s choices until I realized it was pointless to focus on hollow, material things. I rely on strong storytelling and beautiful, original songs, and archival multimedia to take the audience from start to finish.
How has writing the show allowed you to process your childhood experiences and reflect on your feelings about your father’s approach to finance?
My father is an absolute legend. I adore him. Everyone adores him. He is the greatest storyteller of all time. His appreciation of great soul, blues, and roots country music has informed my style as a songwriter/performer. I wish that he knew he didn’t have to try so hard to impress people back in the day. I wish he could have known that no one would have thought less of him once we got on the other side of his self-made success. I think he felt a lot of pressure to keep up appearances. Broke or rich, my dad is my hero.
There is a book called Homecoming by John Bradshaw. I highly recommend it. He was the king of self-help, inner child work back in the 90s. I took a creative writing class at University of Texas at Austin when I was about 20 and we did the Homecoming work during the semester. I found my original writings and I was gobsmacked at how my perceptions and beliefs have evolved as I have gone through my life. I relied heavily on these texts as I wrote Fool’s Goldmine.
What can you tell me about how you are fusing together Southern Gothic storytelling, original music and multimedia elements in the piece?
These are my favorite means to tell the story. I got a camera when I was about 12 years old and began documenting everything. I have storage bins full of memories and stories. Usually, the music comes first. I’ll have songs that are rattling away in my brain. I get a collection of about 9 songs, then connect them together with the true tales that provide context and humor.
When I was little, the best gift my dad gave me was to allow me to sit out back on the patio while he and his friends drank scotch, smoked cigars, and told jokes. Many of them were wholly inappropriate, but he allowed me to be there. I loved the infectious laughter that would ripple through the grown men. I knew I wanted to have that superpower when I grew up.
How has it been, collaborating with director Katierose Donohue Enriquez and music co-writer Sam Small again on this show?
I am so lucky to have the DREAM TEAM. I met Sam Small about 8 years ago when we were in a fun, local cover band. After rehearsal one night, we went out for drinks with the band. Everyone else left the bar at a reasonable hour. Sam and I were trying to see who could drink whom under the table. Hours later, we were both under the table saying, “Well, I could have one more!” We became fast friends and honestly, he fits right into my family. Turns out, Sam Small is legitimately the most talented poet, singer, songwriter on the planet and was open to helping me craft the songs. He has been compared to Bob Dylan more than I can count. Sam is my go-to for learning how to do it right. He is patient with me and always makes sure that any lyric he adds, or edits serves the story. And we have so much fun.
Katierose Donohue Enriquez is the most energetic, creative, and hilarious collaborator. She has an unending supply of ideas and perfect comic timing. She also has the most important components: passion for the task and commitment to getting it done. She doesn’t fail. Ever. Everything she creates or collaborates on becomes gold once she puts the Katierose touch on it. Her solo show Queen of Fishtown gained critical acclaim and won several awards. Nobody does it like Katierose. I am so honored to have her as a friend.
What have you learned in your previous Fringe experiences that you are taking into this year’s festival?
Have fun and expect everything to go wrong at some point.
Pack your patience. Learn to pivot on a dime. Adjust your expectations.
Every year at Fringe, I move through the city with a metaphorical net, catching magic. I leave every year with a host of new friends, great stories, and the impetus to write the next show.
Catch Fool’s Goldmine at the 2026 festival
Stacey clearly idolises her father and it has been really interesting to learn about her openness towards finance, both in how it impacted her childhood and now as a parent. It is also wonderful to hear about how much she adores the Fringe. I often think a visit to the festival also fills my own cup too. Fool’s Goldmine is based at Sprout Studio at Greenside @ George Street (venue 236) from 7th – 29th August (not 16th and 23rd). Performances start at 19:30 (1 hour) and the show is on sale via the festival website now.
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