How I Do Edinburgh by Michelle McManus

• The List
• 13 August 2013

This article is from 2013.

Pop Idol winner talks about refreshing drinks, her days off and festival memories

Can you sum up your show in five words?
One hell of a singsong.

For anyone still on the fence, what’s a surefire selling point?
It's a one-way ticket to musical heaven.

What part of the Edinburgh festival do you most look forward to?
I just love what the festival does to the city of Edinburgh in August. It's a carnival atmosphere and I love how happy everyone is.

What part of the Edinburgh festival do you dread?
The morning after a night in the Gilded Balloon Loft Bar, as I know it's going to hurt.

At the first sign of an August meltdown, what do you reach for?
Always an ice-cold can of Diet Irn Bru.

What other festival shows do you want to go see?
I want to see Susie McCabe's An Uncivil Partnership (playing at the same venue as me) and Grant Stott’s Kiss Me Honey, Honey.

What will you do on your days off?
Watch as many musicals as I can fit into in a day.

Best festival memory?
Having Jim Jeffries ask me if I was Gareth Gates in the Library Bar after my show. I actually might get that on a t-shirt.

Michelle McManus @ The Musicals, New Town Bar, Dublin Street, 538 7775, 19–25 Aug, 8pm, and 23 & 24, 5.30pm, £10.