Reading Candace Bryan’s show title for this year’s Fringe, ‘Don’t Be Ridiculous Everyone Wants This’, you might think a couple of things: 1. She’s a big fan of The Devil Wears Prada, and 2. What is it that everyone wants? I want it! Can I have some? And that’s exactly what Bryan is looking at- she’s got A LOT to say about consumerism! So much so that we may need to watch this space for a part two show…

Did you enjoy Devil Wears Prada 2?

I think I went in with very low expectations because I’m not a huge fan of what I think one could consider needless sequels. But I thought it was fun! I also like that it was a little political, as much as a movie like that can allow itself to be. I used to be, actually, a fashion writer myself, so I am very familiar with that world.

Your show is looking at consumerism – what inspired that?

With everything going on in this world I was like, as an artist I want to be more explicitly political. I think there were political themes in my last show, but you had to look for them, perhaps. But also, I really am someone who loves shopping but I’m finding these days it’s hard to exert self-control over these impulses to shop because every time I pull up my phone, I’m getting ads, I’m getting notifications, like ‘Oh, there’s a sale at Sephora!’ It’s like a constant little buzz in your ear of ways that you can spend money and I guess it’s a little dark but I just think it’s really funny. It’s so absurd! Look, I still, an hour before this interview, went and bought some new sunglasses, so I’m still buying things I don’t need! But I consider things a little bit more these days.

What’s the most unnecessary thing you’ve ordered on Prime?

I’ve really gotten into bedazzling lately, so glueing rhinestones [so] I’m always like buying rhinestones in bulk just to take something I already own and make it shinier! I do still have Amazon but it’s something I’m reconsidering since I’ve written this show. Amazon’s a bit of an easy target because we can all picture Jeff Bezos and we know he’s so evil. But no one should feel judged for wanting to have that.

So what is one online service you couldn’t live without?

Probably Deliveroo, as much as I take the piss out of them. I think about accessibility becuase of the times that I feel I’ve really needed that are when I had Covid, or when my mom broke her foot. Sometimes people really can’t support themselves and I feel like having localised delivery helps in those situations. Also if I’m really hungover.

You’re an acclaimed Roast comedian – would you consider this show a roast of capitalism?

I would definitely say it’s a kind of roast, in that it’s definitely taking the piss out of it and pointing out it’s flaws and absurdities. But I would almost say it’s a little meaner than a roast because normally when you roast another comedian, it’s in a loving way. So the art of roast is, like, finding something that’s kind of brutal but in a way that they can also laugh at. I’d say if late-stage capitalism was a person, I’m not concerned with hurting their feelings. There’s so much there. This has been such a show where you have to kill your darlings. If anything, I could write a sequel to [this show] that’s also about consumerism. I didn’t even get into Temu!

What do you think is special about Edinburgh Fringe?

I like that it’s so immersive. I think when you’re doing comedy in a big city, like London, you almost have to be apologetic about it, in that the football’s on maybe you cancel your show. I love that in Edinburgh, everyone is excited to hear about shows, to talk about shows, to see shows. And I just love that I get to see performers from all over the world and get inspired. I also like that Edinburgh is just so walkable!

What do you want audiences to take away from your show?

When I first started doing some jokes about it, I think it really resonated with people going, ‘Oh, wow! I’m not a bad person! These apps are designed to make me addicted!’ That’s a goal of the show, is to help open people’s eyes and that they don’t have to be ashamed about that, you know? This is something that’s happening to them and once you recognise that, it becomes a little easier to resist searching for those dopamine hits.

Sum up your show in five words?

Same day (joke) delivery included.

‘Don’t Be Ridiculous, Everybody Wants This’ is at Gilded Balloon Patter House, Bothie from Wed 5 to Mon 31 Aug 2026