Edinburgh

Scott Bennett: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Andy Hollingworth

Who? Scott Bennett
What? Leap Year
Where? Just The Tonic at The Mash House (venue 288)
When? 17:55

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

I was, but now you’ve got me worried as that question sounds like you have sinister plans for me! I don’t think you can ever be prepared for the Fringe. I suppose I am going up with the intention of just enjoying myself and not expecting anything more than that. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

The show is about taking a risk to follow a dream at an age when society implies that you should be settled and content. It’s about the realities of pursuing a passion when you have responsibilities, the emotions and guilt that causes and the sacrifices made by others. People say it’s brave to do stand-up comedy. That’s not true; it’s braver to let someone you love do it. I’ve never changed my life in such a big way, so to do so has made me discover who I really am and how your own personality can be a barrier to your attitudes to life. It’s also a bit of a daft show, there are stories about the beauty of owning a shed, being the only daddy at playgroup and the maddening experience of playing crazy golf with a child; seriously, it’s utter hell.

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Discovering some truths about myself that were genuinely unnerving. It’s also how to make such a personal show accessible and engaging to an audience, but I hope I’ve managed to pull that off. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who wants to change their life and follow a dream but feels trapped by their circumstances. Also, has a young family and owns a shed.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Chris Turner’s ‘AAA Batteries (Not Included)’ at The Caves (3-4pm) which I may or may not be a part of…

Chris Washington – ‘You Beauty’

Dan Nightingale – ‘Sex, Drugs and My Nana’s Bungalow’

Rachel Fairburn and Kiri Pritchard Mclean

Hayley Ellis – ‘Once, Twice, Three Times a Hayley’

Mandy Knight

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

During the festival, it’s being able to walk to every gig, which is great. I also love the open spaces and parks. I’m bringing my family with me this year and they are really excited to be based there for the month.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m hoping to do some more writing work following on from the projects I worked on for Comedy Central this year. I am also in development with some of the scripts I have written for a sitcom pilot. I will be continuing to film some more projects and comedy shorts with my actress wife Jemma, which we will be putting out online again. I’d also really like to build my audience, with the goal of putting together a little tour in early 2019.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR SCOTT BENNETT: ‘LEAP YEAR’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Jake Howie: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Rebecca Need-Menear

Who? Jake Howie
What? Read My Lips
Where? Just The Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 21:30

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

No! And that’s what makes it fun. Anything worth doing in life provides an element of the unknown that you can really learn from, like travel or deep spiritual retreats or summertime dogging. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m just a happy-go-lucky Kiwi boy trying to make sense of a world where everyone seems to be talking smack. I want people to talk truth and to speak up against the chorus of voices telling us what to think, so Read My Lips is my quest to decipher what’s going on in our culture and what it really means. There are also a variety of jokes involving bums and my mum (unrelated, FYI).

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

All those nights knocking back Malbec and the unproductive days that follow. Come to think of it, those nights are also my biggest inspiration…

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who is afraid our generation will be defined by clean eating Instagram “influencers” who overuse filters. And anyone who loves sordid sex stories. And queer people. And women. And most men. And nanas! (Except mine… she still thinks I’m straight).

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Are there even any other relevant comedians going up? JK JK! There are too many to name. But Jenny Collier’s A Few Good Jen is a killer show, and I can’t wait to see Angry Emoji Face, which is a split hour of comedy featuring Ryan Dalton and Esther Manito.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

How you can enjoy a glass of wine and carbs before midday without judgement. And the nature – I see myself going for runs up that big hill/rock thingy in lyrca as I mediate over the spectacular skyline. But let’s be real – I’ll be in a Malbec coma mainlining deep fried goods. But hey – no one will be judging me! 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I will be going to Portugal or Italy or somewhere where no one recognises me (OK, that could be absolutely anywhere on earth including my parents’ house) to drink more wine and eat more carbs. Then I’ll be gigging more. So follow me on Instagram @JakeHowieComedy!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JAKE HOWIE: ‘READ MY LIPS’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

George Lewis: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Richard Wood

Who? George Lewis
What? A Man, a Plan, a Girl With Fake Tan
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 17:45

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

I think I am. But then I thought I was the first month I did a compilation show up here and ended up sobbing watching a circus show on my own, so who knows.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about the first time I fell in love when I was at school. I decided the way to win her heart was to stop acting like a boy and start acting like a man, specifically Liam Gallagher. 

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

My first kid was born very recently. The most wonderful obstacle in the world.

Who would most enjoy your show?

In the hope that they might read this and come along, I’d have to say the Gallagher brothers, Steve Coogan, Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci, Kathy Burke, Eric Cantona, Mel Sykes and my mate’s mum, Mrs Mertz.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Matt Ewins & Sarah Kendall’s shows are two of my favourites every year. But the line up at the Pleasance Attic (where I’m on) looks brilliant. If you do come and see me (PLEASE DO) then you should spend the day seeing the acts before and after, they are all belting.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city? 

The local people are really friendly, but also really intimidating. It feels like they would do anything to help you out, but cross them and you will get a headbutt. I also like Arthur’s Seat.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Take the show on tour. If they don’t come to Edinburgh to see me, I’ll go to Barton-Upon-Humber to see them.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR GEORGE LEWIS: ‘A MAN, A PLAN, A GIRL WITH FAKE TAN’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Rosie Jones: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Aemen Sukkar

Who? Rosie Jones
What? Fifteen Minutes
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 20:30

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Not quite yet! It takes me the entire year to prepare – physically and mentally – for Edinburgh. I will be ready by the end of July, but right now, it’s a daunting hill in front of me! It’s worth it though, and I definitely think this year’s Fringe will be one to remember. Bring it on!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My show, ‘Fifteen Minutes’, is all about how the first few minutes of my life affected every single minute after that. I have cerebral palsy as a result of not breathing for fifteen minutes at birth (which is a frigging long time to hold your breath, trust me!).

If that quarter of an hour had been different, I would be able-bodied. I’d be a whole different person. In the show, I try to work out who this elusive, ‘able-bodied Rosie’ is. I don’t know for sure, but I’m pretty certain that she’d be a twat!

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

My biggest obstacle, for sure, is my own expectations. They are insanely high. Whenever a ‘bit’ in my show would feel complete, a niggling voice in my head would whisper, ‘No, you can do better, it’s not done yet!”. I just want to make sure that this show is the best show it can be… but boy, it’s hard work.

Who would most enjoy your show?

I’d like to think that the majority of people would enjoy my show! It’s not overtly offensive or controversial; it’s just a little cheeky in places, like me! Although I talk about my own life, I hope that it makes the audience reflect on the choices they’ve made and encourage them to make the most out of their own lives.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Gosh, there’s so many! This year is so exciting because a lot of my friends are taking up their first hours. Heidi Regan, Catherine Bohart, Sarah Keyworth and Micky Overman are must sees. And for some Tudor mischief, get yourself to Great British Mysteries, who are my very talented Edinburgh housemates! Oh and, Suzi Ruffell, of course. Her shows are always insanely brilliant and full of energy.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I’ll tell you what my least favourite thing about Edinburgh is – the flipping cobbles, everywhere! Not great for a wobbler and her walker! As for my favourite thing, it has to be the people; everybody is so friendly and after a day there, it feels like home. It is also a comedians’ playground and I love bumping into friends wherever I turn.

What are your plans for after the festival?

HOLIDAY! I can’t bloody wait, two weeks in Barbados, yes please! After that, who knows? Sit back, recalibrate and work out my next move. I’m very happy about where my career is heading at the moment so ideally more comedy, more writing and more acting. Watch this space!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROSIE JONES: ‘FIFTEEN MINUTES‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Christian Finnegan: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Kyle Macrauer

Who? Christian Finnegan
What? My Goodness
Where? Gilded Balloon Teviot (venue 14)
When? 20:45

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Not even remotely. This is my first Fringe, so it will all be new to me. When I tell New York comedians I’m doing the Fringe, they react with a mix of confusion and fear — as if I’d said I was going to scale Kilimanjaro or wrestle a grizzly bear. I’m not sure what it says about me, psychologically, that I’m looking forward to it anyway. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

‘My Goodness’ is my attempt to suss out what it means to be a passable human being. In the show, I present a handy self-examination by which you can determine your own personal good-ness. It’s also a bunch of dirty jokes, ill-informed political opinions and embarrassing personal revelations.

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

From a technical standpoint, ‘My Goodness’ is more involved than what you might see me do on a random Tuesday at Gotham Comedy Club. Also, the show briefly touches on some family stuff I’ve never discussed onstage, so that’s been… interesting. Honestly, the show has come together rather organically, but I’m not worried—I’m sure there are plenty of obstacles to come!

Who would most enjoy your show?

Dumb people who pretend to be smart, and smart people who pretend to be sober. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I’m rooming with fellow American Myq Kaplan. I haven’t yet seen his show ‘All Killing Aside’, but he’s known as one of New York’s best and most inventive comedians and he’s fantastic person to boot! Also, I once spent a month driving around Western Australia with Zoe Lyons, so I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘Entry Level Human’. Beyond that, I’m open to suggestions!

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Given that this is my first trip, I’m sure I’ll fall in love with all the corny tourist crap that makes locals roll their eyes. And you know what? I will regret nothing!

What are your plans for after the festival?

Apologize to my wife for abandoning her for a month. And, I imagine, take the dogs out for a very long walk.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CHRISTIAN FINNEGAN: ‘MY GOODNESS’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Faye Treacy: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Faye Treacy
What? The Problem with Faye Treacy
Where? Just the Tonic at The Mash House (venue 288)
When? 19:45

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you? 

Yes, I think so. It’s my first hour so I’m putting everything I’ve got into it. It’s a great opportunity for growth too but it’s also absolutely terrifying putting yourself out there!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Lies and communication and a candid reflection on what made me be me. 

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Tbh the finances. It’s very expensive to put on a show. I’m sure everyone says that but yeah it’s a struggle and a massive gamble I guess, so that’s scary as a working class performer. In terms of the performance I guess this is the first time I’m really standing on stage and saying how I really felt so that’s been scary as, but I think I’m a natural over-sharer anyway, so its gonna be fine!

© Steve Best

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who likes storytelling and a bit of music!

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I think Felicity Ward is absolutely brilliant so can’t wait to see what she’s got to offer this year. Also, Chris Stokes is a very fine storyteller so I’m looking forward to watching that.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

That I can walk across it in half hour! It’s a beautiful place, I like chilling on the meadows or walking up Arthur’s Seat. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I hope to take my show on tour to other festivals!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘THE PROBLEM WITH FAYE TREACY‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Laura Davis: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Laura Davis
What? Ghost Machine
Where? Underbelly, Cowgate (venue 61)
When? 17:40 

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Presumably, as much as anyone can know the future? I’ve done this show over 200 times, including in the jungle in Kuala Lumpur, so I’m ready for hot stuffy venues.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s a one hour existential crisis. Performed by a ghost. The ghost is just me under a sheet. Not a rattly chain one.

© Prakash Daniel

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Lighting, costuming and rigging up all of the electrics that light up the ghost whilst making it completely cordless. Also the microphoning, as being inside a duvet cover poses technical issues.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who has an open mind, and enjoys very good comedy.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Alice Fraser and Neal Portenza.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I really like all the cakes. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I have just moved to the UK so I would like to go exploring and maybe see some of the other countries that used to be very far away from me in Australia like Iceland and Belarus.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR LAURA DAVIS: ‘GHOST MACHINE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Short & Curly: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Edward Moore

Who? Short & Curly
What? Young At Start
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 16:30

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Short: What does it have in store for us?

Curly: Yeah, its hard to prepare for the unknown. We’ve written a show and we’ll buy some Bercoccas to have every day. That’s as much as we can do.

Short: As long as we’ve got a show that we enjoy performing we’re happy.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Short: It’s about youth.

Curly: and me turning 40.

Short: Sorry, it’s about Curly NOT having youth. He’s is in full panic mode to get his youth back. I want to teach him to learn to appreciate the present.

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Curly: Well we were going to bring this show to the Fringe last year but Short nearly died and we ended up in hospital diagnosed with ARVC. That was a big obstacle there.

Short: But now I’ve got my own defibrillator fitted in my chest. I’m more robotic than I was last year.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Curly: Our shows have pretty broad appeal really.

Short: Young and old will enjoy. There’s jokes, singing, dancing and stupidity.

Curly: But fans of nostalgia will especially enjoy it.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Short: Kill The Beast, Susan Harrison, Adam Riches, Jordan Brookes. There so many more I can’t think of.

Curly: Tony Law, always Tony Law.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Curly: The way Americans pronounce it.

Short: Edinboro.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Short: I’d like to say put our feet up but I’m working on a play to raise awareness for heart conditions called “The Beat Goes On”, so I’ll be busy with that.

Curly: I’ll probably put my feet up.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR SHORT & CURLY: ‘YOUNG AT START’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

 

ISMO: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? ISMO
What? Words Apart
Where? Pleasance Dome (venue 23)
When? 20:20

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Yes. I have 52 socks, 26 pairs of underpants and I have made a map of 10 nearby kebab and/or fish & chips places, so I won’t have to face the embarrassment of eating 3 x 26 = 78 times at the same place.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m taking a deep look into the language, mainly the English language, and will try to make sense of it, perhaps helpfully suggest improvements too. Also the creatures who created the language – humans – are observed closely.

© Silvia Spross

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

I’d say it’s the Atlantic ocean. I have recently moved from Finland to America and have been writing the show in both of those and the UK and Australia… wait a minute, so the biggest obstacle was actually the Pacific ocean. It’s even bigger.

Who would most enjoy your show?

People who use the English language a lot, so much that they’ve gotten used to it and can’t see the parts it’s made of anymore. Warning, it might be difficult to keep using it the same way after seeing the show.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Not yet, can you ask me again on around Aug 10th.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

This might be a bit shallow, but I mostly like the looks. So nice to look at. Lots of round curvy shapes and then sharp pointy things, not many straight lines.

What are your plans for after the festival?

To eat a salad. Do laundry. Then more touring in America, Canada, UK, Finland etc. Then start preparing for Edinburgh… maybe.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ISMO: ‘WORDS APART’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Jake Lambert: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Jake Lambert
What? Little Lost Lad
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 18:00

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Absolutely not (nothing like a bit of confidence early on) but it’s my debut hour and I have no idea what to expect. The Fringe is very much its own beast, during my first ever experience there it took me seven days to figure out how to perform to an Edinburgh crowd, they don’t just want jokes for the sake of jokes, they want context, oh and to know you’ve suffered, luckily for them this year I had my car stolen and then someone shot my cat, so they should have plenty to laugh at. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s basically about the first time I found myself living on my own and the ups and downs of that, the ups were feeling like Kevin McCallister, the downside was feeling a little too like him when my house got burgled. I also talk about being an uncle, the fact that I cut my own hair, ghosts, and how to make the perfect cup of tea.

© Aeman @ Jiksaw

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

The biggest obstacle was knowing which material to put in this show and what to leave for the next one, I mean writing that does really make it sound like I had no obstacle at all, that’s like Bill Gates complaining he doesn’t know what to spend all his money on this year.

Although, up until now I’ve only ever been aiming to make my sets as funny as possible, but to have an hour means I can also try and tell a story and use the medium to talk about exactly what I want to talk about. (I preferred the first part of this answer when I sounded less pretentious).

Who would most enjoy your show?

Me. I’m aware that’s a ridiculous answer, but I have always tried to be the comedian I would most like to see, and to make my show one I would want to see. Of course if I did go and see a comedian and they were doing my show and all my jokes I’d be livid, so maybe not. I realise I’m supposed to be selling tickets, so shall I just put everyone? Yeah I’ll do that; Everyone. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

As I’m answering pre-Fringe I don’t know for sure, but I’ll take a punt and say:

Dave Chapelle: Rib Tickler – Non-stop gags and silly wordplay from America’s funny man.

Tim Vine: I Heard It Through The Tim Vine –  an incredibly insightful take on Russia’s influence on the 2016 US election.

Dylan Moran: Dy doo ran ran ran, Dy doo Moran – An hour of non-stop puns and wordplay (Although I’ve heard it’s currently running at 45 mins).

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I feel like Edinburgh is what Americans probably picture when they think of London, it’s beautiful, and such an amazing place to walk around, even at 6am after you got a bit too carried away in a bar for the 18th time that month.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Depending on how it goes I’ll either go home and put the show poster up in the bathroom, or if it goes terribly I’ll shred all the remaining flyers and never speak of it again.

I actually have a gig the day I get back, and I’m very much regretting that decision already. After that I’m going to Spain with my girlfriend (that sounds nice and relaxing, Jake, you’ll get to unwind and relax)… oh and her mum, who lives in Australia who I haven’t actually met yet… uh oh, sounds like someone’s going to be getting some material for next year’s show.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JAKE LAMBERT: ‘LITTLE LOST LAD’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018