The Edinburgh Fringe is almost upon us and to get prepared for another Scottish summer Read About Stuff is running a ‘Five From The Fringe’ interview series, where creative teams answer five questions about their upcoming Festival shows.
In this interview, I chat to Kona Morris about new show How to Poop in an Outhouse at -58°C.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
How to Poop in an Outhouse at -58°C received critical acclaim at the 2026 New York City Fringe, winning five awards, including Audience Choice and Staff Choice, and five-star reviews. It sold out the last three shows in both Los Angeles and New York City, and now it’s heading to Edinburgh Fringe for a full run throughout the month of August at Greenside’s George St. location (Ivy Studio / Venue #236). It is a compelling true story about how I fell in love with a Native Alaskan and moved to a remote village north of the Arctic Circle. Audiences can expect to be transported to the top of the world, from the dangers of wild river whirlpools and grizzly bears to the magic of the Northern Lights, while I teach them all the hilarious and necessary tips for how to use an outhouse in subzero weather.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Edinburgh Fringe?
This is a true story about my real life experience and what I learned from it. It has humour and heart and there is no better place for it than the greatest performing arts festival in the world. People have told me this show makes them feel like they went with me on an adventure to the Arctic Circle, and I want to share that experience with a bigger audience.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
The word count! The initial draft of this show was over 62,000 words (basically a novel), which I had to get down to 7,500 to fit within the allotted time. There are many scenes that had to be cut for this iteration, but my director and I were able to get it down to the heart of the story.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
Light design is a significant part of my show! In fact, I consider the lighting to be my co-star. From the summer solstice when the sun never sets, to green and violet Northern Lights dancing overhead during winter solstice, the light in Alaska is often extreme. I have worked with two lighting designers to create a production that makes Alaska come alive for my audience. I also use light effects for water, snow, and sound effects to amplify certain moments of the story.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Arctic Adventure!
The feedback I keep receiving from audiences is they feel like they have been transported to the Arctic Circle. They say my descriptions are rich with sensory details and it makes them feel like they came with me on a wild and inspiring adventure. People also say it is as informative as it is engaging, and they enjoyed learning about life in a remote native village and the tribe I lived with in Alaska.
How to Poop in an Outhouse at -58°C runs at Ivy Studio at Greenside @ George Street (Venue 236) from August 7th – 29th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/how-to-poop-in-an-outhouse-at-58-c
