Audiences have flocked to see a one-woman Edinburgh Fringe show after its star posted a tearful selfie when only one person turned up to a previous performance.
Georgie Grier went viral after she uploaded the snap on X (formerly known as Twitter) following the “disappointing” turnout for her comedy-drama Sunsets.
She wrote: “There was one person in my audience today when I performed my one woman play, ‘Sunsets’ at #edfringe. It’s fine, isn’t it? It’s fine…?”
Following an outpouring of support online, including from fellow performers and celebrities, Ms Grier was greeted by a near sell-out crowd on Friday lunchtime.
Her show, which she describes as a “play about romantic comedies blending the world of movies and podcasts”, also appears to have sold out on Saturday, according to the festival’s website.
The actress told Sky News she said had been amazed by the “surreal” support and said she would try to use it as a “boost of encouragement”.
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Ms Grier said she made the post after bursting into tears following her show on Thursday and “decided to vent to the internet and not my mum, for once”.
“Yesterday I was crying in my dressing/storage room, and today I’m speaking to you and I’ve had loads of messages of support, so it has been a bit of a rollercoaster,” she added.
Speaking just before her show on Friday, she said: “It’s great publicity, I’m really grateful for it. I didn’t expect it. But I still am not just going to think I’m going to have tickets as a result…
“I’m just going to be grateful if one more person comes as a result. I can’t get too confident.”
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Among those offering their support on Thursday was comedian Dara O Briain, who said: “Soon, you’ll dine out on this anecdote.
“More than once I had to buy my audience a drink, as a thank you for being the only ones there.”
Jason Manford also offered words of encouragement, saying: “It’s absolutely normal… for one person to rock up to your show, especially at the beginning of Edinburgh, and also for you to be a bit upset or annoyed or p***** off about it. That’s totally fine as well.”
Meanwhile, the single audience member who turned up to the show on Thursday has identified herself on social media.
Fellow performer Sophie Craig praised Ms Grier, adding: “We had a lovely hug at the end and she was so professional and brave and she gave me everything. You should be so proud angel!”
