Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!
Camden Fringe 2026 Interviews
Joanne Schmoll singing the joys of Here’s to the Ladies!
After the success of our 2025 Camden Fringe Interviews, we thought it only right to attempt a repeat for 2026. So throughout July we’ll be publishing new interviews each day to give a taste of what to expect from London’s best fringe theatre festival. The festival starts Monday 3 August this year, so we may give ourselves a couple of days off inbetween the end of the interviews and the first shows… then again, we might not.
You can find out more about Camden Fringe, along with details of every show playing this August here. You can also find all of this year’s interviews as they are published here.
Step into the world of timeless melodies and trailblazing women with Here’s to the Ladies!, making its UK/European premiere at Upstairs at the Gatehouse for Camden Fringe 2026.
Crafted by Joanne Schmoll and presented by Charis Creative, this heartwarming cabaret dives into a treasure trove of over 400 iconic songs, written by the women who broke down doors in the early 20th century while balancing passion, art, family, and ambition. Packed with soaring vocals and infectious optimism, the show is an uplifting reminder of music’s power to help us pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.
We sat down with Joanne to share the eureka moment behind the show, the hilarious story of an invisible prop, and why spreading pure joy is the ultimate measure of success.
If you had to describe the vibe of your show in just one sentence, what would it be?
A joyful celebration of women songwriters who broke down countless barriers, opening doors for future women artists in the music industry; great music, well sung!
Why is 2026 the perfect time for this show to be seen?
Life is a bit tough these days, but this music, known, loved, and played around the world for almost 100 years, exudes joy and optimism. It connects directly to the human heart and, in the words of one of our featured songwriters, helps each of us to “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!”
What was the ‘eureka moment’ that made you realise this story had to be told?
This is the UK and European premiere of a show that originally started in the U.S. I’ve sifted through 400+ songs, and the show continues to evolve, with each chosen track adding something unique and essential to the story that wants to be told.
What is it about your character/role that you most enjoy?
It’s just pure fun! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before.
Fringe sets have to be minimal, how have you handled set and props?
It’s nice to have a few set pieces borrowed from the venue, but ultimately the songs are the absolute focus and will tell the story. Anything else on stage is just a bonus!
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in the show?
Well… there is the invisible gun!
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of set you’d love to have?
More doors that move around on their own!
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it?
Our mashup of Good Morning Heartache and Willow Weep for Me, because it is simply gorgeous! Let’s Go Eat Worms in the Garden!, because we all need a worm song, don’t we?
If your show was a love letter to a specific person, place, or era, who or what would it be?
It’s a love letter to women in the first part of the 20th century, who were trying to balance life, family, and an incredible passion for their art and work.
Write a one-sentence “fake” review of the show from an audience member.
“I didn’t know a woman wrote that song, how lovely!”
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world, where would it be?
An international tour during Women’s History Month, because these incredible women deserve all the love!
What does “success” look like for you this August, beyond selling tickets?
That the audience has fun and goes away filled with joy!
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career?
If it’s not fun to do, it’s not worth doing, especially the hard stuff!
Many thanks to Joanne for her time. Here’s to the Ladies! will play at Upstairs at the Gatehouse from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August.
