Power

〰️

Power 〰️

The Edinburgh Fringe is back for 2026, and with it, our annual feature series! This year, we’re taking on POWER: Who’s got it? Where is it? Where should it be? How do you get it? Our comedians are the only ones with the answers.

By Chelsea Birkby

“Conman” comes from the word “confidence”. In the olden days, a swindler entrepreneur could simply ask “do you have the confidence to lend me your watch?”, and the victim stranger would willingly hand it over. That’s the power of confidence! And it’s a power you can have too!

The thing is, most people are standing in the way of their own power. Often because they stop to question whether power is really what’s going to make them happy. Don’t make that mistake.

Follow these steps to use confidence to gain and exploit trust for your own advantage:

1) Confident phrases:

Words have the power to transform. They can make us laugh or cry. For example, the funniest words include “bin” and “egg” — we all know this. But words also have the power to command respect and admiration from your interlocutor. Here are some confident phrases to use, suitable for any occasion:

“Double it” Use it whenever someone offers you anything. A payrise, a glass of water, their condolences
“Ouch my sixpack hurts” This is appropriate any time the conversation dips or when someone else is speaking about their achievements
Ask “Are you free on Friday?” When they tell you they are, never respond. You’ve won

Similarly, swap words to turbo your power. Negativity saps your mood, so switch to positive unyielding statements:

I can’t → I simply won’t

I suck → I am misunderstood

I hate this → This is beneath me

These radiate confidence.

Confident dress

Confidence is in how you present yourself. RuPaul says that you’re born naked and the rest is drag, so why not be in drag as someone better and more respected than you are?

Wear a strongman muscle suit under your clothes at all times
Don a novelty beer helmet but replace the beer with boiling hot Americans
Exaggerate your silhouette: Thatcher wore padded shoulders to be more masculine. Go further. Stuff your pants.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Confident posture

Your body talks. But what if it’s telling people that you suck? Here’s how you can teach your body to lie:

Stand with your hands on your hips and legs akimbo. This stance communicates dominance, confidence and underlying mental health issues (intriguing)
Stand in doorways. This is where power gathers. Also it blocks people from leaving
Make eye contact. Hold eye contact. Do not blink. Do not lose.

Confident mind games

Damning with faint praise can really destabilise others, providing you the chance to take victory. Try these:

Wow, your hair looks clean
It’s cool how you crack jokes regardless of reaction
Say “It’s good to see you smiling again”

Confident humour

According to the superiority theory of humour, laughter stems from feelings of triumph and sudden glory when we compare ourselves to the misfortunes of others. So lean in.

If someone is involved in an accident at work that isn’t their fault? Laugh
If you slip and fall? Claim it was a deconstruction of late stage capitalism and they didn’t get it
Bring back “Your Mum” jokes.

Confident coercion

Finally, if charisma hasn’t worked, consider coercion. Force or manipulate someone using intimidation and psychological pressure. How?

Weapons

When it comes to protecting your peace, offence is the best defence
Now you know the tools to obtain and yield power, you may be wondering: how do I know someone isn’t trying to do this to me? Naturally, your thoughts will turn to those closest to you. Never let kindness go unchallenged. When someone you love shares a heartfelt compliment, immediately counter with: