“Basically, at the end of the day I want queer people to walk out of my show and say: F**k, I can just be me, and that’s more than enough,” says Rose Coogan — a trans comedian and playwright from Northern Ireland whose work is already turning heads at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Her debut two-person play, Rose + Bud, blends heartfelt storytelling with sharp comedic timing, exploring her life in “two halves.” Rose plays her current self, while actor Conor Cupples portrays her younger, pre-transition self. The structure was inspired by Brian Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come, which portrays the same character as two separate people.
From Stand-Up to Two-Person Play
Rose originally developed Rose + Bud as a one-person stand-up show. Bringing Conor on board allowed her to explore duality: who she was when she left her rural hometown at 18, and who she wanted to be. Severe bullying had led her to retreat during her teen years — a reality she says many queer people from isolated communities will recognise.
“It can feel very isolating being queer in Northern Ireland,” she explains. “I was lucky to have family support. My brother and I were born a year apart — he’s a trans man and I’m a trans woman. There’s probably a sitcom in that!”
Still, she had to leave. “It just wasn’t safe for me to be there anymore. But I’m OK. I lived, I’m here at the Fringe. I’m a lot luckier than a lot of other trans people.”
Performing for All Audiences
The show runs at 1pm daily — a challenge when much of the intended queer audience isn’t awake yet. Rose laughs about flyering to older crowds: “I do love a 12pm microaggression.” But she values reaching people who might not normally attend an hour-long play about coming out as a trans woman.
She points out that “everyone’s opinion about trans people tends to drastically improve after just coming into contact with one of us,” even if the responsibility shouldn’t always fall on the community to bridge divides.
More Than a “Trans Play”
Rose is clear: Rose + Bud is not just a trans story. It’s a universal coming-of-age tale about self-acceptance, compassion for your past self, and the resilience to grow without erasing where you came from.
“I want people to walk away feeling like they can forgive and love their younger selves,” she says. “We all deserve kindness — even the past versions of us we might cringe at.”
Emotional Connection with the Audience
The show’s mix of humour and heartfelt moments has struck a chord. Audience members often wait to tell her how much they relate to her story — from the chain-smoking, protective Northern Irish mother character to the unexpected moments that make people cry during a comedy.
Writing and performing alongside Conor Cupples has been therapeutic for Rose. “He’s helped me be more sympathetic to that past version of myself,” she says.
A Final Message for the Queer Community
“One important message I want LGBTQ+ people to take away from my play is that, in this political climate, we have no room for in-fighting. We need each other more than ever, and we need to treat each other with kindness and warmth.
“Also, if you like Derry Girls, there are plenty of strong Northern Irish women in my show — and I play most of them.”
Rose + Bud is being performed daily at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at 1pm until Monday 25 August. For more information on the Fringe programme, visit the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe site. And for more stories on queer theatre and LGBTQ+ voices shaping culture, explore the Enola Global news section.
