Myq Kaplan: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018
© 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?