Anya Anastasia will be performing her new cabaret show ‘Rogue Romantic’ at the Assembly Checkpoint for the month of August.

1 Tell us about your Fringe show 

Rogue Romantic is a feisty and flirtatious cabaret show with all original songs and delinquent serenades from a quirky chanteuse with an astonishing voice. This renegade diva launches herself regularly into the audience to fall in love, and perform interactive un-athletic acrobatics. Singing her way through love, in and out of it, she reclaims the space previously occupied by her empowered male counterparts, this woman is out to start fights and break hearts, backed up by an all-female band. While the songwriting and arrangements are the main spectacle, there is plenty to feast your eyes on, and some poignant truths about being a human confessed in amongst the beautiful chaos.

2 Best thing about the Fringe? 

Meeting of brilliant minds, and ideas bouncing around this thriving city. That sweet sweet combination of critical dialogue and having a bloody brilliant party.

3 Worst thing about the Fringe? 

The goodbyes.

4 How many years have you been coming to the Fringe? 

This is my second year, I was here with Torte e Mort: Songs of Cake and Death last year. It will be a different experience not getting into full 18th century Marie Antoinette garb and painting on my own skeleton every day this time! Though my new alter-ego's hairstyle is still a bit of a commitment, and being able to hit those high notes she goes for may be challenge after a few late nights in the artist bar...I'm going to have to be on my best behaviour.

5 Favourite Fringe venue? 

I fell in love with Checkpoint when I performed there for Supper Club last year. There's something about that space that is truly magical and a divine fit for cabaret. Of course I always love to perform in a Spiegeltent too. I'm over the moon that my show is at Checkpoint this year, a dream come true.

6 Best Fringe memory? 

My gorgeous godmother (from Australia) flew in to Edinburgh to surprise me and see the show last year, I was utterly blown away and moved to tears.

7 Best heckle? 

A lady once continually shouted out facts about archeology to me. It was so informative but it was very distracting. The show was about love and relationships so I have no idea what inspired her to do that.

8 Craziest on stage experience? 

I was doing a strip routine of mine called "I don't do burlesque" wherein I struggle to play the piano and sing in my costume so while loudly claiming that I don't do burlesque, I remove and get tangled in my clothes as I shed them, resulting in me playing the piano upside down and through my legs trying to break free of corsets and tights that were "restricting my musical abilities". When performing this once there is a bit near the start, where I ask the crowd if they DO in fact want to see some burlesque to which (for the first and only time ever) unusually they all solemnly yelled out NO. It put a bizarre and awkward spin on this "accidental" burlesque routine, where instead of cheering as clothes flew off there were loud (but hilarious) "boo"s and then as the song and strip went on,  they started to  throw items of clothes back at me, most of them weren't even mine. I think someone in the crowd just about got completely naked. It became a strange immersive theatrical experience rather than a cheeky burlesque spoof. Hilarious. Was this planned? Was it a set up? Maybe I'll never know.

9 How do you wind down after a show? 

I use a straw to make bubbles in a cup, like singing underwater. After that, the ideal post-show wind-down is a book and a bath.

10 What do you love about Scotland? 

Ceilidh dancing !!!! Also Scotland is so beautiful. I was lucky enough to see a bit of it last year when I hired a camper and went adventuring. 

11 What do you like about Edinburgh? 

The people. So very friendly. 

12 Favourite Scottish food/drink? 

Whisky. Last year after my season I went on an adventure to the Isle of Skye and along the way (and of course while there) I visited distilleries. This year I'm setting my post-show course for peatier pastures! Welcome all recommendations.

13 Sum up your show in three words 

Maracas, Rum, Handstands

Anya Anastasia (@anyaanastasiaa) will be performing her new cabaret show ‘Rogue Romantic’ at the Assembly Checkpoint for the month of August for tickets  go to www.edfringe.com