Interviews

Baby Wants Candy: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Albert Samuels
What? Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical
Where? Assembly George Square Studios (venue 17)
When? 20:00

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

No. Our show is improvised brand new every night, so the show is brand new to us too. Also, we’re a group from the States, and if Trump hasn’t blown the world up by then, I will be pleasantly surprised that the Scottish don’t try to murder us in our sleep for being American.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

We take a bunch of titles from the audience of the title of a musical that’s never been performed before. The audience votes on the title they want to see and we make it up on the spot. Some previous titles we’ve performed: “Tinder in the Animal Kingdom”, “Fake Newsies”, and “Centaur, Put That Down!”. Of all the audience we play for around the world, the Scottish give us the cleverest, and usually the most demented, titles. Fun fact- most of our band are local home-grown Scottish musicians. They’re the true talent.

© Robyn Von Swank

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

Keeping updated on just about everything in pop culture, history and musicals, since the audience can and does yell out just about anything. We performed an improvised musical a few years ago at Fringe based on the suggestion “Kanye West Side Story”, so we had to know a ton about the Bernstein/Sondheim musical, the Kanye/Taylor Swift feud and be ready to improvise a lot of raps.

Who would most enjoy your show?

People who love musicals… and people who really hate musicals. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Daniel Kitson. And Thrones! The Musical Parody.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I have been to Edinburgh 12 times before for Fringe, and it never feels small. It always feel fresh and new. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

Not sure. You have an extra room?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BABY WANTS CANDY: ‘THE COMPLETELY IMPROVISED FULL BAND MUSICAL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Ed Gamble: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Ed Gamble
What? Blizzard
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Above (venue 33)
When? 19:40

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

This sounds ominous. Do you know something that’s in store for me that I don’t? I thought I was prepared for just doing my show, but you’ve made it sound like they’re going to do The Purge or something. I’m prepared for my show, but not for The Purge.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about me finally embracing being a nice guy onstage and then coming to terms with the fact I’m anything but. That’s what I think it’s about anyway, but everyone else seems to think it’s about cats and dogs. 

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

This is my 5th hour in a row, so there’s always a worry that the well has run dry. Luckily though, if you keep digging you often end up finding the freshest water. More poetic insights like that will be available in my show.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone with a goddamn pulse.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations? 

Tonnes. Really looking forward to seeing Jordan Brookes, Catherine Bohart, Lazy Susan, Sarah Keyworth, Rosie Jones, Jack Barry, Lolly Adefope, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Rose Matafeo, Felicity Ward, Matt Forde, Ivo Graham, Nish Kumar… the list is long and I will try and see all of them. I’ve already seen previews from Adam Hess, Sean McLoughlin, Lou Sanders and Steve Bugeja and they are all on brilliant form.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The architecture, the smell, the food, the cobbles. Everything really. Apart from all the English people during August. (Please buy tickets.)

What are your plans for after the festival?

Have a massive sleep, naturally. Then I’ve got some Mock the Weeks, then a holiday, then I’m touring Blizzard next year.  Mainly sleep though.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ED GAMBLE: ‘BLIZZARD’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Flo & Joan: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Flo & Joan
What? Alive On Stage
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Cabaret Bar (venue 33)
When? 16:00

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

We can only wish that we knew what was in store so that we could be better prepared. As far as we currently know, what’s on the cards for us is a 27 show run of our new show in the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, so we have Googled the location and know how to get there, and the content of the show itself is nearly ready. But we still have a bit of time to juche her up a bit.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

We don’t really approach shows with a premise but we try and write songs as we are inspired/panicked throughout the year, and we collect them up and put them in what we hope will be the most pleasing order for an audience, like the Now albums, if they’re still a thing? This year things that have popped up a lot in the old zeitgeist and consequently our show includes (but is not limited to) sex robots, lady crisps and British pride (or lack of), and we’ll be showcasing our primary school level mastery of a few instruments as well.

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

The hardest thing for us is getting the songs in the perfect order. They’re not all related in content so there’s not a natural order they would fall in, and getting it wrong really interrupts the flow. Also, it’s not necessarily an obstacle, but dragging the menagerie of aforementioned instruments around Edinburgh like Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins will be a challenge and likely the cause of many arguments we have this year.

Who would most enjoy your show?

There’s a bit of stuff for everyone. If you’re a little weird, we got you. If you’re silly, we got you. Old and young, come along. And if you think you don’t like musical comedy we would especially love to see you.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

We always look out for a show from Tom Walker who we go back and watch multiple times over the festival with different friends. Sarah Keyworth, Catherine Bohart, Lou Sanders, Maisie Adam, Glenn Moore, Adam Hess, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and Heidi Regan are all people we’ve had a good old time gigging with this year so people should go and see their shows too.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s just a bit beautiful isn’t it? And as you look at its beautifulness you’re getting a workout climbing around it too. Brilliant. And there is no shortage of drinking establishments. That’s important.

What are your plans for after the festival?

We are going on our first UK tour! We are very excited about that. We’ve also been working on a podcast series of mini musicals which we’re hoping to release into the world before the end of the year. Enjoying having personal space again. We’re sharing a room during the festival and along with the show we’re going to need a break from each other.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR FLO & JOAN: ‘ALIVE ON STAGE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Tania Edwards: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Tania Edwards
What? Not My Dog
Where? Just the Tonic at The Mash House (venue 288)
When? 15:15

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

No one knows what the Fringe has in store, which is why it’s interesting. I’m just packing my best jokes and an umbrella, and hoping for the best.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m interested in how we (mis)represent ourselves, the space between the truth and its telling, the abyss between desire and possibility. Mostly I’m trying to find out how, if you’re anecdote-prone like myself, you can look for happiness and a decent story in the same place.

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

Writing it – obstacles materialise with every deadline. But writing is also the fun and the challenge of putting a show together. Stand up is great if, like me, you want instant feedback. I remember reading bits of my novel to a housemate. Every time I wrote a line I was pleased with, I wanted everyone to have a glass of wine to celebrate. She told me to write the whole book or I wouldn’t finish it; that I couldn’t have a clap at the end of every sentence. But that’s exactly what I’m after. So I abandoned the book and now I’m a stand up.

Who would most enjoy your show? 

I would say anyone looking for comedy, but in these competitive times let’s keep it broad – anyone who wants to escape the rain for an hour.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

YES. Ivo Graham, Danny Ward, Katherine Ryan, Luke McQueen, Lou Sanders, Dana Alexander, Reg D. Hunter, Lazy Susan. If you’re moping about not being in Edinburgh: Tiff Stevenson and Sara Pascoe. And Blanche Gardin.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I love knowing Edinburgh as a Festival City, I see the highs and lows etched in its cobblestones. And excellent pasta, at Ecco Vino on Cockburn Street.

What are your plans for after the festival?

To write my show for next year’s Festival. It’s addictive. We’re all Mother Courage.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TANIA EDWARDS: ‘NOT MY DOG’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Chris Henry: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Roberto Riciutti

Who? Chris Henry
What? Around The World In 80 Dates
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 20:10

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

If anyone tells you they are, they are lying. The Edinburgh Fringe is an animal that can’t be tamed. It’s a hero maker and a dream stealer. All you can do is bring the best show that you can think of, then hope that audiences like it. Thankfully I’m bringing the funniest show I’ve ever written.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

The show is all about my disastrous love life and how the dating world has changed dramatically in the last decade. With a healthy dose of self-reflection it also delves in to why I’ve been single for 9 years, and what I’m doing to change that. Its honest, heartfelt and the funniest thing I’ve ever written.

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

Being honest and vulnerable. For years I’ve pretended to be the alpha male comedian, some might even consider my previous shows aggressive. It was a style built to handle stag and hen parties when I was making my name at clubs like Jongleurs. This year, I’ve dropped all of that and audiences are not only going to get to hear some personal details about me, they are going to see a shift in style, barriers are coming down and they are going to get closer to the real Chris Henry.

Who would most enjoy your show?

This show appeals to everyone. If you’ve been married for 40 years it’ll give you a glimpse into what the dating world is like now. If you are in single and in your 20s it’ll serve as a warning for what your future might be. One of the reviews I had in Australia put it best, “married, engaged, dating or single, you will enjoy this show” (Fringe Feed).

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

If you know anyone with kids, you should definitely send them to see my kids show ‘Balloonatics’. It’s an hour of silliness and chaos with balloons. It also possibly has more jokes in for the adults than the kids, but the kids wont know that.

Ray Bradshaw is bringing his show ‘Comedy Def Fam’ back for a limited run, if you missed it last year definitely check that out as it’s my favourite thing I’ve ever saw at a Fringe. Others you should definitely check out are Stephen Bailey, Ashley Storrie, Chris Forbes, Fannys @ Five, Janey Godley, The Master that is Stephen Buchanan, Jesus L’Oreal Nailed It; there is a massive list that I’d recommend. I always put a full list of recommendations up on my website or Facebook just before the Fringe starts.

Two top tips for choosing shows. Stop and speak to flyerers, ask them which shows they’d recommend other than the one they are selling, do that a few times and you’ll hear some names getting repeated which is always a good sign. Also, don’t go to any show that has more than one A at the start of the title, they’ve done this to get to the start of the brochure and if that’s as good as their imagination for the title gets, there isn’t much hope for the show.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s beautiful. I had almost forgotten just how great it is, then last year I brought my American friend over and as she walked around I saw her amazement at how old the buildings are, the history through the city and the architecture. If you go up on the ferris wheel and look over the Old Town, it’s not hard to see how JK Rowling was inspired to write about a magical world. I should also note, this is very hard for someone who loves Glasgow to admit.

What are your plans for after the festival?

My aim is to take both my shows to as many international fringe and comedy festivals I can find around the world. I have my heart set on a European tour in autumn/winter, then Australia in January till April, New Zealand then hopefully Canada, America, South Africa and anywhere else that wants to hear my tales.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CHRIS HENRY: ‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DATES’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Tom Lucy: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Aemen Sukkar

Who? Tom Lucy
What? Reluctant Millennial
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, The Attic (venue 33)
When? 20:15

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

I do feel much more prepared this year than I did last year. This is my second solo show so there’s a bit more confidence you have with that naturally. I know what to expect now. I really love Edinburgh and the festival is such an exciting place to be. You really feel like you’re in the middle of something happening and for the month of August it feels like the centre of the world. It’s not, of course, and you’re completely in a bubble. But what a fun bubble.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

The show is called Reluctant Millennial and it’s about me feeling like that. I’ve had a big year since last summer for various reasons and I’m keen to talk about the fact that I’m labelled a millennial because of my age but I don’t feel at all like that, and nor do I want to be associated with that. So it’s a hour of stand up about my annoyances with my own generation. But in a funny way. I’ve not become a bitter old comedian complaining about the youth just yet.

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

Well this is going to sound very wanky but probably being a bit more honest on stage. I think that just comes with time as a comedian – you become more honest. And honesty is really where the funniest material is. So in writing this new show I’ve really tried to say to myself – how do I really feel about this? And I think when you start being completely honest on stage, you improve vastly.

Who would most enjoy your show?

I would hope that everyone could enjoy it. I don’t alienate anyone in my stand up and I do try and make it so you could bring your dad along and you could bring your mates along and they would hopefully both enjoy it. I know that’s not a particularly cool approach to take but I like comedians who have mass appeal. I think it’s far more difficult to appeal to a lot of people than just a few, and that’s something I aspire to do.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

There’s a few comedians I always see in Edinburgh – Tom Stade and Paul Foot are two off the top of my head. But the great thing about the festival is that some shows will just generate heat and I’ll go to those because that’s the real fun of the Edinburgh Festival – to see comedians in tiny venues who will one day be very famous. It’s kind of magical really.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Edinburgh is really a beautiful place. I’ve spent quite a lot of time there now, both during the festival and outside of it, and you really take it for granted. It’s stunning and I would encourage people to see the city as well as do the festival – climb Arthur’s Seat and visit Wildfire in the New Town.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m going to take this show on tour around the UK. We haven’t sorted out exactly when yet but it’ll be soon after Edinburgh. That’ll be my first headline tour which will be pretty cool. I’ve done an awful lot of support on tour but to be headlining a tour feels like a big step up. So we’ll do that, and then I’ll write another show for next year. And repeat until death.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TOM LUCY: ‘RELUCTANT MILLENNIAL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Ross Smith: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Matt Crockett

Who? Ross Smith
What? I Am Ross Smith
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 12:40

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

I really hope so! The Fringe is something that you can feel 100% prepared for and then still end up having no idea what’s in store. After Edinburgh I always make a mental note of things to remember for next year and then over the course of the year forget every one of them. I’m just going to take it as it comes. Which is a silly phrase really I can’t exactly take it before or after it comes!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My Edinburgh show is based on me receiving an invitation on a holiday because I had the same name as a person dropping out. What happened after was madness. 

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

Honestly the biggest obstacle was having too much to talk about. I had to figure out what were the essential parts of the story to tell. Also my show is multimedia and I am the sort of person that technology will instantly fail around – there has been more than one tech issue at previews but these are all part of the fun!

Who would most enjoy your show?

Without wanting to sound too pretentious (but at the same time very much sounding pretentious) I think anyone who likes the idea of being a hopeless romantic, the show is a battle between cynicism and optimism, positivity and negativity, expectation and reality. So realistically I would say there isn’t one demographic that would most enjoy the show.   

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

LOADS. I have so many friends doing their debut hour this year who are all amazing. The likes of Micky Overman, Maisie Adam, George Rigden, Emily Ferrier, but two shows I will definitely not miss are Richard Todd: We Need The Eggs and Ian Smith: Craft.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I love the history of it. It’s got a very unique quirky history. Last year my family went on a ghost tour of the city. It really makes you feel this overwhelming sense that you know a city when you know where the ghosts hang out.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Get back on the circuit and start gigging again. Anything else is dependent on if the show goes well! I’m in talks with a film company about the experience I went through and a book version has been talked about but realistically after this festival I will be mostly living on beans and panhandling on the streets of London.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROSS SMITH: ‘I AM ROSS SMITH’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Red Richardson: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Theo Lowenstein

Who? Red Richardson
What? Seeing Red
Where? Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wee Room (venue 14)
When? 17:45

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

Depends what it has in store, I am prepared to do my show everyday for a month, but if for some reason, Kim Jong Un decides to nuke Edinburgh then I am not really prepared for that.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about being called Red, growing up in a drug fuelled hippie town and nearly being cast as Harry Potter aged 10. 

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

Watching stupid and totally unrelated videos on YouTube for hours on end and wasting a lot of time doing so. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Supermodels and very rich people who own TV companies and have jacuzzis and spare pairs of swim shorts at their house.  

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Eshaan Akbars ‘Prophet Like It’s Hot’, Ed Night’s ‘An Aesthitic’, Garrett Milleriks ’Sunflower’ and Kate Lucas ‘Tetchy’.  

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I like the architecture, which is why its so important Kim Jong Un doesn’t nuke us. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

Move to America, get cast in a huge sitcom, get really rich, then get hooked on crack and have a very public meltdown, then become President… failing all that I will just stay in England and sign on.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR RED RICHARDSON: ‘SEEING RED’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Peter Michael Marino: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Peter Michael Marino
What? Show Up
Where? Laughing Horse at The Counting House, The Lounge (venue 170)
When? 16:45

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

I feel totally prepared for the “unknown.” And now I feel weird admitting that. Like, it’s a curse to be prepared. This is my fifth Ed Fringe and if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that you have to be prepared for anything and everything. I’ve worked hard on developing the show, and sent out my press stuff on time, and found a flat… so yes, I’m looking forward to all of it. Damn the curse!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

“Show Up” is the same show I did last year, only not, because each show is 75% different. It’s an improvised solo comedy show about the good, bad, and ugly life experiences of the audience… plus a bit about my own mental health challenges. The audience also helps with the set, props, and sound. Oh, and there’s a party. I know. It sounds complicated, but it’s really not.

© Alice Levy

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

I was nervous about discussing my battles with social anxiety and depression. They weren’t even a part of the first few workshops. But, I had to be honest. Those issues are literally why the show exists, so I started adding them in. It gave the show a “why.” If I’m not doing something all the time, I fall into the pit of despair. I didn’t have the right material for a brand new solo show over a year ago, and I knew I had to create something, so I concocted this premise where I create the show based on material I get from the audience. Did I mention it’s a comedy? 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who likes to laugh. Anyone who enjoys being on the edge of their seat. Anyone who’s had challenging life experiences. Anyone who enjoys the solo show genre and who wants to see it presented in a very different way. I sorta take the piss out of the genre, while embracing it at the same time. I know. It’s crazy. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Big fan of Neal Portenza and Lucy Hopkins. See their stuff, as they never disappoint. And they are both doing free shows! You can’t go wrong. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The fresh air and grass. The hills (yes, I like hills. It’s like a free gym membership). The sunsets. And the generosity of spirit. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

To sleep? For a week? A month?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR PETER MICHAEL MARINO: ‘SHOW UP’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Steve Bugeja: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Avalon

Who? Steve Bugeja
What? Almost
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 15:30

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

I really should be, it’s my fourth solo show. I’m actually very excited, I would have thought that by now the novelty may have worn off, but it hasn’t at all, I still bloody love it. The stress of writing a show beforehand is not so fun, but once it’s in shape the excitement to get up there will kick in. The thing that makes me most look forward to it is the thought of all the people who come back and watch me year after year, it is an incredible feeling when you speak to audience members after and they say they’ve come to every show. Hopefully this isn’t the year they decide to stop coming.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

While about to fly back from Japan to the UK I received a text which flipped my entire world upside down, I then had to put my phone onto airplane mode and just sit and think about the consequences of the message. For 13 hours. The show sees my neuroticism unfold as I zoom across the world with only my spiralling thoughts as company.

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

I’ve always done big story shows and I’ve always known what that story was very early on. My first year was all about me hanging out with a prisoner on Day Release, my second was about my tribulations in getting my first girlfriend and the most recent was about me working on an American kids camp when I was 18. But this year I just set out to write a really funny show. No big stories. Inevitably I’ve ended up stringing a narrative though it, so the biggest obstacle was working the opposite way around. Normally I have the story and then build the jokes, this time I had the jokes and have had to fit it around the story.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Genuinely anyone I think. But going by the specific content, you would particularly enjoy the show if you’re a fan of Japanese toilets, overthinking things and Grandads.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Yes, go and see Alex Edelman, Flo & Joan, Harry and Chris and Larry Dean. Also check out newcomers Heidi Regan, George Lewis and Jake Lambert, they’re all ace.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city? 

The fact that it is willing to sacrifice itself for an entire month so that a load of show offs can come and indulge their dreams.  And the castle is pretty cool.

What are your plans for after the festival? 

I am going on holiday with my friends where I will not think about comedy for a whole week. And then I’m taking my show on a national tour across the UK in the Autumn.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR STEVE BUGEJA: ‘ALMOST’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018