Around The World In 80 Dates

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