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Tash Marshall is a graduate from our  and on the . She brings her first play to the this month where it's been getting some great reviews. We caught up with Tash to find out more about the development of the show and why the Edinburgh Fringe is such an exciting place for new writing.

What was the origin of your play Half Breed?

Half Breed started as a poem which I would read on spoken word nights. The play is loosely based on my experiences of growing up in rural Wiltshire. It examines the complexities of being half black in a predominantly white area, where casual racism and ignorance confronts you every day. I built the poem into a play through and the 's young writers' group.

How did taking Half Breed to Edinburgh come about?

My play is co-produced by Soho Theatre and Talawa Theatre company, who offered me the opportunity of talking my play to the Edinburgh Fringe festival. It's always been a dream of mine to do it. I feel really blessed to be here with a play I feel so passionate about and backed by people who believe in me.

What was your experience of the Fringe before this year and how does it feel different now?

I first came to Edinburgh Fringe festival years ago, fresh from graduating from drama school. I was in a play called ' (my character died in the first scene). I remember our living accommodation was cramped so me and my friend had to alternate sleeping under a table for a month... it was an experience!

So yeah as you can imagine Edinburgh this time around is... flipping different! I'm on stage longer than the first scene, playing my whole village, speaking on topics I would have never dared to before. And... I'm not sleeping under a table! Amen! I never thought I would be doing this again, let alone with my own show. So I'm just making the most out of this experience.

What’s good about the Fringe as a showcase for a writer or performer?

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of the largest arts festivals in the world, there's a real buzz about being here. It's an amazing opportunity for writers and performers because it gives you a platform and exposure. You also get such a wide spectrum of people coming to see your show. People come internationally, production companies and people within the industry come seeking out new talent, theatre lovers, people that never go to the theatre as well as fellow fringe artists. You meet and connect with so many different types of people, in a way that you wouldn't normally anywhere else. It's amazing... and busy! Great opportunities can come from the Fringe that can further your career. As a new and emerging artist you have the ability to establish yourself. You learn so much, the experience will only make you stronger at your craft.

Are their any pitfalls about the Fringe for writers to be aware of?

For any writer who takes their show to the Edinburgh Fringe there is always an element of risk, because there's no guarantee how things will pan out. You might not get the audience in or the reviewers. Funding your show coming to the Fringe can be a big gamble financially to some people, meaning that not everyone who would like to do this can. You could have the most amazing show but it just might not get the recognition it deserves.

However at the same time I think there's no guarantee for anything you do in life, so if you have faith in your writing take the risk!!! Because the pay off is sweet.

What do you hope will come out of it?

I hope my play Half Breed creates a conversation, I hope people leave my show feeling something, seeing something they connect with or learning something new. It's important and necessary to acknowledge that these very real and relevant issues still exist in day to day life. I want to expose peoples' minds to those untold truths, those hidden truths, those forgotten voices.

This is my first play! So I hope I continue to grow as a writer and performer (I still have loads more stories I want to tell) and continue doing what I'm passionate about...

...also I would love to tour Half Breed around rural areas and towns and of course take it back to the West Country. I'm also really looking forward to taking Half Breed to Soho Theatre in London next month.

What other great stuff have you seen at this year's Fringe?

I loved '', '', '', ''- I still want to see loads more shows like '', '', '' '' etc etc!

What was it like being part of 主播大秀 Writersroom's Comedy Room?

I have really enjoyed being a part of the . It's a great opportunity for writers wanting to write for television. You learn so much, and are given lots of opportunities that will help you grow in your craft and potentially build upon your writing CV. No matter what level you're at it's worth applying, I feel really grateful for all the knowledge I gained and the people I met through the Comedy Room.

All about the 主播大秀 at the Edinburgh Festivals