Evelyn Mok: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© James Deacon

Who? Evelyn Mok
What? Bubble Butt
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker 1 (venue 33)
When? 18:00

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

I should be, as the festival happens every year, but even so, you never quite are, because each Fringe is different and you never know what is going to happen. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

After an eventful year, I’ve found myself trying to figure out my place in this brave new world. I attempt to explore my own agency, the third-culture-kid-experience, weight loss and what it means to be a woman of colour.pl

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

Finding all the jokes and having a good balance between any type of discussion.

Who would most enjoy your show?

I think the people who would relate most are younger women who are going through similar experiences, but hopefully everyone who comes to see it can enjoy it.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

There are so many great people debuting this year, I’m really looking forward to seeing Sindhu Vee, Sarah Keysworth, Catherine Bohart, Heidi Regan, Micky Overman, Sophie Duker and Nigel Ng, as well as my favourite staples Sean McLoughlin, Pierre Novellie, Jamali Maddix and the Americans Myq Kaplan, Kate Berlant and Janine Garofalo.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Edinburgh has some great places to eat and coffee places and everything is walkable, so you indulge and then walk it all off.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’ll be heading to the US for a few weeks for a much-needed holiday!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR EVELYN MOK: ‘BUBBLE BUTT’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Rhys Nicholson: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Rhys Nicholson

Who? Rhys Nicholson
What? Seminal
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 21:05

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

There is absolutely no way to prepare yourself for that festival. It’s a conundrum wrapped in a riddle wrapped in rain clouds. This is my sixth year and every time I tell myself I’m going to eat healthily this time. I’ll climb Arthur’s seat everyday… yeah, sure I will… I’ll look after myself and eat well… sure. Then on my second day there I see a food truck that is selling deep fried ice cream out of a cup made of pork rinds and I realise all is lost and I just submit.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I don’t know really. We recently had marriage equality passed in my country so I talk a little bit about that. I mostly talk about myself. Is that an answer? I am the premise? Like most of my shows, this show is about my penis and how it relates to others.

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

There’s a part in the show where I talk about my life being threatened by a man with a neck tattoo on a train. That was a pretty big obstacle I suppose. Thinking I was going to be murdered. Also sometimes the the microphone smells funny. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

A 32 year old female, about 5 ft 7inches tall named Helen. And gays. Bring all of your gays.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Oh I have loads. Please go see Eli Matthewson from New Zealand, Rose Matafeo has one of my favourite shows this year, Joe Sutherland, Daniel Connell and my friend Amy Annette hosts this great show called What Women Want. Go to all of these.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city

I like how old everything is. Guys, it’s so old there. Like, very, very old. There are pubs older than my country. I can drink a can of coke in a building that has stood for longer than Australia has has the oppression of it’s indigenous people. What a world.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I was thinking I might wander into the ocean in a wedding dress.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR RHYS NICHOLSON: ‘SEMINAL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Ada Campe: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Catrin Arwel

Who? Ada Campe
What? Ada Campe and the Psychic Duck
Where? The Stand’s New Town Theatre (venue 7)
When? 14:50

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

Yes – and no, the perfect combination! I’m confident that the show is ready, and very much hoping audiences enjoy it. It’s my first year at The Stand, and I’m thrilled to be part of their portfolio of shows.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about how I first came by the Psychic Duck, who gave it to me, and why. Set in Tenby, on the Welsh coast, the show has some very intriguing characters in it… and a mystery. And a silly dance or two. 

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

Trying to keep the prop list down to strictly what’s needed. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who like variety, silliness, a mystery and a bit of magic.  

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Gosh, lots! For stand up: Mary Bourke’s ‘I Want an Irish Passport’, Kate Smurthwaite’s ‘Clit Stirrer’, and David Mills’ ‘Focus People!’; for variety: Mat Ricardo’s ‘Mat Ricardo vs the World’, Charmian Hughes’ ‘Bra Trek’, and anything Barbara Nice does; and for cabaret: The Creative Martyrs’ ‘After the Apocalypse’, Dandy Darkly’s ‘All Aboard!’, and The Magic Faraway Cabaret. I definitely recommend a ride on the carousel in Princes Street Gardens at least once while you traverse the city going from show to show!

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city, and the Fringe takes you all over it seeking gems in unexpected places. I barely recognise it outside of August, but when I am there in the non-Fringe months I always check out who is playing at The Stand, pop into CC Blooms for a cocktail, and have a look around the National Museum of Scotland galleries.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Make sure the duck gets a nice relaxing holiday.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ADA CAMPE: ‘ADA CAMPE AND THE PSYCHIC DUCK’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Myq Kaplan: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Mindy Tucker

Who? Myq Kaplan
What? All Killing Aside
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 21:15

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

I think a better question would be, IS THIS YEAR’S EDINBURGH FRINGE READY FOR WHAT I HAVE IN IN STORE FOR IT??!! But since a festival can’t respond because it’s not a human being, I’ll answer the question as asked… Since I’ll be doing my show in Edinburgh every night for about a month, to prepare, I’ve been doing hundreds of shows a year for about fifteen years. Since I’ll be coming to a country I’ve never been to before, I’ve prepared by visiting other countries I’ve never been to before, like Peru and Australia in the past couple years. Because I’ll be having an experience I’ve never had, I’ve been preparing by having lots of other experiences I’ve never had throughout my whole life. Recently I’ve tried tai chi and meditation and ayahuasca and floating in a sensory deprivation tank, so I do believe I’m ready for Edinburgh. Looking very much forward to whatever the experience has in store, thank you for asking.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

The show, “All Killing Aside,” is about love and death and philosophy and not murdering. It’s about truth and kindness and hallucinogenic plant medicines that can reveal the underlying spirit that we all share. It’s comedy! Super fun comedy about death. And life. And love for self and others. And more. Comedy about the universe, by the universe (as personified by comedian Myq Kaplan [that’s me]).

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

A few of the topics I cover in the show involve some geographically specific pieces of information, like where I grew up in the United States, and some particular places I’ve traveled and experiences that I’ve had. I’ve traveled around the States and many parts of Canada performing the show, and so sometimes there are differing levels of familiarity with some of what I’m discussing, so one challenge I would say is learning and discovering and figuring out what I need to share with any audience to have everyone connect with the experience I’m relating at certain points. Overall, I believe the underlying concepts I’m covering are universal enough to connect with anyone (example: I’m a big fan of not murdering), and some of the comedy that I love the most is very personal to the comedian, and not required for audiences to have done any homework in advance, and my goal is to share with people all that is unique to me, universal to us all, funny, and true as much as possible. So, I would say that’s the biggest obstacle. Making the show as perfect as can be for me and everyone. I’m optimistic!

 Who would most enjoy your show? 

Me. Or people who are like me. Or people who AREN’T like me, but who are curious about people like me. In school, I studied philosophy and psychology and linguistics and math, so if you like any of those things (thoughts or feelings, words or numbers), you might enjoy the show. I’m polyamorous and a vegan, so if you loving humans or loving animals (in different ways), OR if you love laughing at polyamorous vegans, you might enjoy the show. I’ve been doing comedy for about 15 years, so if you enjoy comedy, you might enjoy the show. I’ve been having psychedelic experiences meditating with mushrooms and ayahuasca on the oneness of the universe, ever since I learned that time is an illusion (which happened tomorrow), so you could enjoy the show if A) you have had such experiences, B) you are curious about such experiences, C) you have no interest in such experiences and want to hear about them to make sure, or D) you forgot what I was saying, so just come to the show! If you have enjoyed reading these words and imagine you might like to hear more of them come out of my mouth, please do. The show is for conscious human beings that are part of the rich tapestry of existence, which I think is you. But if it’s not, please come anyway, because I’ll be curious to meet you. Thanks and love! 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Any show that’s not happening at the same time as mine? Sincerely, there are so many shows, it’s hard to narrow it down a great deal, but I do know at least a few comedian friends of mine who will also be there, so I’ll recommend Jessica Michelle Singleton, Christian Finnegan, and Alice Fraser.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Castles. I live in America and we don’t have nearly as many castles. I’m not sure how many there are, but I’m excited that they’re there. Castles, castles, castles.

What are your plans for after the festival?

There’s a zen koan that goes something like this: “Before enlightenment… chop wood, carry water. AFTER enlightenment… chop wood, carry water.” So, if the experience of doing the festival is as enlightening an experience as I’ve heard it can be, afterwards, I will continue to do my standup and live my life. Work, play, live, love, meditate, make music, record albums, talk with friends, drink tea, go for walks, help people, grow, write long lists of things I enjoy doing in answers to interview questions, you know, everything I’m doing now. UNLESS EVERYTHING CHANGES, in which case I don’t know. Then I’ll do everything differently. Learn to fly, be invisible, live in a volcano, teleport everywhere, predict the future like I can’t right now, everything I’m not doing now. Thanks for asking. What are YOUR plans?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR MYQ KAPLAN: ‘ALL KILLING ASIDE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Rob Auton: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Joanne Warren

Who? Rob Auton
What? The Talk Show
Where? Just The Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 18:10

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

I’m as prepared as a person can be who is going exploring in the jungle of themselves, alone, for a month, armed only with self-doubt in one hand and determination in the other. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year? 

The premise is that it is a show about talking called the Talk Show. That’s what it is. Is that a premise? Do I know what a premise is? I’m going to google premise hold on. “A previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.” Yeah it’s a show about talking.

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

Getting emails through asking me to answer questions about the show when I’m supposed to be writing and knowing that I could easily have answered these questions later but I am struggling with the writing today and am fond of obstacles and enjoy taking them on as quickly as possible. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Probably me. Nobody is ever going to enjoy my stuff as much as I do. It’s pretty much my entire life. I have to be the one who is the most into my life. I’m OK with that though. I think that’s the right way round. If everybody loved my work and I wasn’t bothered about it then that would be quite bleak. Other people who might enjoy my show this year would be people who look at spiders for longer than a second, people who can’t believe how quickly we have acclimatised to paying for carrier bags, people who struggle with small talk.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Kriss Foster, Sean Mahoney, Flo and Joan, Elvis McGonagall, Brian Gittins, Rose Matafeo, Tim Key.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I like looking at the railway station from up on the bridge. I don’t know why, I just like thinking “there’s trains under that roof.” I like how the city doesn’t suffer fools. It has shown me its moods. You can’t go into the city of Edinburgh thinking you are going to show it who is boss. It’s too old and experienced to give you a second look. You just have to get on with your stuff and not get too disappointed if it rains on your parade. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I will be drinking lots of water and sleeping and trying to come to terms with the fact that it is going to come around even more quickly next year.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROB AUTON: ‘THE TALK SHOW’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Bryony Twydle: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Idil Sukan

Who? Bryony Twydle
What? Flamingo
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 20:30

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

If anything I’m too prepared – I anxiously pour over every detail, stressing that things aren’t right. I’ll have to wait until Edinburgh to see whether all these sleepless nights have been beneficial or, as is probably the case, detrimental.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year? 

Flamingo is my debut Edinburgh show. I’m a character comedian and so my show focuses on 6 different characters and their loosely connected lives, ranging from a crazed unorthodox speed awareness instructor to a Greek sex therapist with a very questionable accent.

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

Normally I’d say coming up with the characters is the hardest part, but just before this interview I saw this woman in Sainsbury’s with what was clearly a bad sinus problem and now I think once I finish Edinburgh I might only perform as her.

Who would most enjoy your show? 

People like my mum, she’s definitely my best audience, so I guess my show will be popular with middle-class mums who enjoy gins and trips to organic farm shops and have a dark secret….

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

There are so many great people. In no particular order: Alison Thea-Skot, Great British Mysteries, Glenn Moore, Helen Duff, Lead Pencil, Tamsyn Kelly and loads, loads more who I’ve definitely forgotten.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city? 

The best thing about Edinburgh is that they’re constantly brewing beer here which makes the whole city smell of Weetabix.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I know the stereotypical answer is sleep, but I probably won’t be able to sleep until Christmas as I’ll need to work 24/7 to pay off all the money I’m spending to spend a month smelling of Weetabix.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BRYONY TWYDLE: ‘FLAMINGO‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Catherine Bohart: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Matt Crockett

Who? Catherine Bohart
What? Immaculate
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker 2 (venue 33)
When? 16:15

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

No! Every year I try to do things to control what I can of the festival like planning exercise and healthy food and lots of self care, by day 3 I’m usually a husk of a person. Also, this is my first year playing with the grown ups (doing an hour) so I have no idea how that will go!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m the bisexual daughter of a Catholic deacon and I have OCD (the real kind, not the “I love a made bed” kind, though I do also love a made bed…) and my show is about how those things all came to a head at the same time and how I dealt with that.

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

I’m a perfectionist, the biggest obstacle is my own constant critique. I’m doing my best to let it develop but I have to constantly resist the urge to throw it all away and run for the hills!

Who would most enjoy your show?

My show is as much about family as it is anything else so anyone with one of those. I think it’s bizarre to pigeon hole who your comedy is for. There isn’t a uniform experience for any group of people so I’m going to let the audience decide whether it’s for them. Though obviously, I hope most people enjoy it.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Yes, so many! I always go to see Felicity Ward when I need to belly laugh and forget about the Fringe, she’s amazing. Also, I’m biased because I’m dating her but Sarah Keyworth’s show is going to be really special and we are on in the same room one after another so you can catch a sapphic a double bill! Larry Dean and I have lots of previews together and his show is hilarious. Rosie Jones, Heidi Regan, Micky Overman, Sindhu Vee, Jake Lambert, there are so many great comics! See as much as you can! 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Edinburgh is where I fell in love with comedy so I love everything about it. The food, it’s the food.

What are your plans for after the festival?

There’s an after?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CATHERINE BOHART: ‘IMMACULATE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Elvis McGonagall: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Elvis McGonagall
What? Full Tartan Jacket
Where? Voodoo Rooms (venue 68)
When? 12:20

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

Endless sunshine, bouquets of accolades and champagne cocktails. Oh yes, I’m ready. Ready, willing and deluded.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Futile exasperation at the inevitable trajectory of our post-truth world as it trundles down the primrose path to Beelzebub’s bottomless pit.

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

My cats’ utter indifference.

© Anna McCarthy

Who would most enjoy your show?

Major Hollywood directors. Bagpuss. Yanis Varoufakis.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Rob Auton. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The Dogs on Hanover St. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

Greece.

GET YOUR TICKETS FORELVIS MCGONAGALL: ‘FULL TARTAN JACKET‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Nick Elleray: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Adrian Tauss

Who? Nick Elleray
What? It’s Been Emotional
Where? Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre (venue 27)
When? 16:40

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

If I may paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld: I am prepared for the known knowns. I can do very little about the known unknowns and unknown unknowns. This is the only point where I will be referring to Donald Rumsfeld.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s a big old look at the rich and diverse emotional ecosystem of the middle-aged Australian male.

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

Convincing myself that people wanted to hear about what I was joking about.

Who would most enjoy your show?

People who dig a mellow, thoughtful vibe, man.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Richard Todd, Sunil Patel, Sindhu Vee, Heidi Regan.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The late-night pizza guy at Moratti on Cowgate remembers me and my order every year when I come back. I always look forward to my first visit to the shop, even though we’ve barely said more than “Hello my friend!” to each other.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Take this show to my home country and see if they reject me and my British influences like a hamster Mum spurning her children because they smell funny.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR NICK ELLERAY: ‘IT’S BEEN EMOTIONAL‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Lauren Pattison: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Andy Hollingworth

Who? Lauren Pattison
What? Peachy
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 19:00

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

In a way there’s less pressure because the debut is done, the first one is out the way and now I know more what to expect. But then flip side there’s more pressure to deliver to the same standard as you did last time! I feel like once my show is in a shape I’m happy with, I’ll be able to plough through the month… it’s just getting to that stage that’s the hard part!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It very loosely follows on from last year, but it’s in no way a sequel. It’s about my life in the last year, how things took a turn for the better and it’s definitely a more upbeat, positive show. It’s about pushing through and push ups.

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

This year, it’s been the fact I don’t actually want to go back to Edinburgh. The financial strain it puts on an act, and the fact you have to scrimp and save all year to be able to pay for it is just obscene and causes a lot of stress and anxiety. But because of the great run I had last year, I totally get that people WANT me to go back and of course from an audience that’s a huge compliment. I’m flattered that audiences are excited to see more of me, but at the same time at the back of my mind there’s this constant niggle, this worry about money and about not being good enough and letting people down.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone with a sense of humour, who’s not too easily offended, doesn’t mind a few swearsies and is up for a good time. This is also my Tinder bio.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

YES! Two double acts are on top of my list – Raymond and Mr Timpkins who I’m genuinely excited about and also Harry & Chris who are just joyous. I’m looking forward to debuts from Heidi Regan & Sindhu Vee. Returning shows from last year’s debutantes Tom Houghton and Kwame Asante.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Macaroni pies.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’d like to take some time off as I’ve had an incredibly full on year. Maybe a few days just to chill out, read some books, do sweet fuck all. Oh, and I really REALLY need to learn to drive.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR LAUREN PATTISON: ‘PEACHY’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018