Edinburgh Fringe Artist Interview: Rachel Terry from All Fired Up: An 80's Mixtape Musical

As so many shows prepare for their trip to Scotland in August, I am so excited to launch my Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Artist Interview series. I'm hoping to share some amazing shows with you, as I chat to the artists who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make them a reality! Today, I got the chance to chat to Rachel Terry who talks about blue eyeshadow, leg warmers and their community engagement project at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Without spoiling the show, what is All Fired Up: an 80’s Mixtape Musical?

Tammy Tooth is in the middle of a midlife crisis. Through a quirk of fate she gets sent back to 1987 where she comes face to face with 15 year old self recording music off the radio. Through time spent with herself Tammy rediscovers what used to make her passionate and thrilled about life! With the help of some banging 1980’s tunes, she travels back to 2025 and begins the next chapter fuelled with passion and purpose.

Why do you think this show is an important one for audiences to see?

The message will definitely resonate with anyone in their 40, 50 ,60s who wants to find passion and purpose at any age.

What is your favourite number to perform from All Fired Up: an 80’s Mixtape Musical and why?

We Built this City by Starship - we create a classic 80’s montage to the song with Tammy rebuilding herself…

How did this show come to fruition?

Singer Roz Pappalardo and myself found ourselves in our mid 40’s and looked enviously at my daughter on the brink of womanhood, the world at her feet and asked ourselves “Why don’t we feel like that? Why can’t we feel like that? Why can’t possibility happen at any age?”… and so we set about writing the show and it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy!!

I absolutely love the idea of your community engagement at this year's Fringe, can you tell my audience more about it?

We will be holding 80’s dance workshops during the week and those people that participate can then perform in the final 3 numbers of the show. Their engagement develops the plot and brings the show to its climax (we need them) We have recently toured around Australia and engaged over 400 dancers in our show. (They don’t have to be dancers - movers are fine) Some of those women are even flying themselves over to Edinburgh (at their own cost) to perform in the show for a week or two.

How are you feeling about performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?

Very excited but also aware that I won’t be able to party as much as I did 25 years ago when I came (so need to pace myself) - thrilled to show my daughter the creative supernova that is Edinburgh Fringe.

What advice would you give somebody who wants to pursue a career in musical theatre?

Sing, dance, act every day… train like a professional athlete

And finally, why should I buy a ticket to see All Fired Up: an 80’s Mixtape Musical?

I’m going to give it to you straight - it is essential you buy a ticket if you are a women in your 40’s 50’s or 60’s - it is 100% your thing and you will have an awesome time!

If you are not this demographic we have a banging band, rockstar singer, hormonal hilarity, dumb 80’s references, lycra, leg warmers and blue eyeshadow. What’s not to love?

Ticket Information for All Fired Up: an 80's Mixtape Musical:

All Fired Up: an 80's Mixtape Musical runs until the 25th of August at the Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Show time is at 5:55PM. Tickets can be accessed through the Edinburgh Fringe website.