Edinburgh Festival

Samuel Lloyd: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Sarah Breese

Who? Samuel Lloyd
What? Piñata
Where? Dr Livingstone’s, Basement Room 2
When? 16:45

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

Well as I have before, I’ll be going up to gawp at as many shows as I can. I love the Fringe, and I love seeing shows that are completely different, totally interesting, and so so fun. My show is probably the one I’m least excited about, BUT I still can’t wait to get up there and do it. It’s a 3-day run rather than the whole hog, which is a nice balance; it gives me the experience of multiple dates, but as a newbie it means I can ease myself into it.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My show, “Piñata”, is about birthdays and growing up. There’s a lot of things I talk about, especially as a debut show, but that’s the thing that sort of ties it all together. I’ll also have a projector, a powerpoint, and of course, a piñata.

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

Probably all the things that come with doing your first show: organisation, working out how to develop it, having to actually be funny… I think taking a projector to Edinburgh on a flight without paying for baggage will be fun too.

Who would most enjoy your show?

I’d like to think anyone can give it a go, and I’m grateful to anyone who’d like to come see it, but I think, in particular, if you’ve ever felt older than you are, or if you’ve ever had a birthday and found yourself waiting for people to write on your Facebook wall, this is a show I think you’d like.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I won’t be alone here, but Jordan Brookes. He oozes comedic creativity and I’m immeasurably jealous. Last year I saw his show, Body of Work, before it moved to a more workable venue, and there was no way a bad room was dampening his brilliance. Frank Foucault is another favourite of mine. Again, fantastically original and interesting and very, very funny. Kiri Pritchard-McLean, finally, is probably one of the best comedians in the country right now. She’s as funny as she is effervescent, and in between the laughs you’ll have the biggest smile on your face. Go see her for goodness sake.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Everyone is ridiculously friendly given how annoying the Fringe must be to some locals. I think it’s why it wouldn’t happen anywhere else. If a festival of this scale was in Newport, there would be severe flyer-related injuries.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m planning to film the show in late Autumn/Winter for online release to raise money for charity, and then after that hopefully I’ll be working on a completely new show. I’ve not had the challenge of scrapping everything and working on a new show from the ground up, but I’m looking forward to it!

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Barry Ferns: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Veronika Marx

Who? Barry Ferns
What? Barry Loves You
Where? Just the Tonic at The Tron (venue 51)
When? 21:00

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

No, not prepared at all. If god wants a laugh he looks at your plans. How do you prepare for a festival of over 100,000 performers that lasts a month? I do have a show that I am delighted with, and am excited to perform every damn day of the festival though. Come what may!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Barry Loves You is about the invisible things that unite and divide us. How do we love each other, and ourselves, when life is such a crazy cluster-fuck of random and often invisible forces, needs and impulses. I mean, seriously, what on earth is going on? (Looking around the crazy-ness of the Edinburgh festival people must think that more often than most.)

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

Myself – as I’m an idiot who can’t schedule my time. I mean who made the whole of the internet available 24 hours a day, and how do those people expect me to stay focused and work on anything with all of that distraction available?

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who has a beating human heart inside their ribcage. Anyone who has ever had a moment where they’ve looked at what a friend has done, or what they have done and gone “Why, on earth did I do that?! That is ridiculous behavior”.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I love watching Paul Foot and Tony Law every Edinburgh. Their shows are so so different from my own shows that I can really turn off any enjoy them. They are also both brilliant comedians and write such original and funny stuff. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Arthur’s Seat. I do a show up there on the penultimate weekend of the festival every year. The show is always magnificent and such an exciting thing. And beautiful. It’s amazing to think that just 15-30 minutes walk from Edinburgh town centre is such a spot of rural and natural desolate beauty. You feel like a god sat on the top of it.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I am going to gig in New York. I went to New York earlier in the year and loved it. It’s the closest place in the world that is like Edinburgh Festival 365 days a year. It’s got about 300 gigs happening a night and probably 10,000 performers. It’s a ridiculous place, but hilariously confusing.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BARRY FERNS: ‘BARRY LOVES YOU’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Beth Vyse: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Idil Sukan

Who? Beth Vyse
What? Beth Vyse as Olive Hands: The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Where? Monkey Barrel Comedy Club (venue 515)
When? 15:45

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

The most prepared I’ve ever been, well having said that, I’ve still got props to get/make: a pregnancy belly, a prosthetic leg, a cabbage from the cabbage patch, oooh and a soul to bare.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Motherhood v’s Career, Control v’s Lack of Control, The known v’s The unknown. Basically the endless battle of being a parent and working and what happens to our dreams as we age, procreate, but still want to continue to try to create. Oh lord it sounds so serious, I can assure you it’s not, it’s all told through my larger than life alter ego. Olive Hands, the No. 2 in the morning, Daytime TV presenter, she’s had a baby, like me, (what a coincidence) and she’s pitched the idea to ITV9 of hosting a Daytime TV show with her baby, they snapped it up, you know what ITV9 are like. So I’m back but this time with a baby, what can go wrong? WHAT THE ‘CRYING HELL’ CAN GO WRONG? Expect extreme stupidity, ridiculous pranks, huge disgusting props from Olive Hands as her decisions are questioned leading to, well, hysteria and hopefully, finally, some happiness.

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

Money, baby, time, letting myself down and sometimes being “an extraordinary physical clown with a ridiculous imagination” **** Scotsman (ahem) I need a bit of reining in. But I think this show is shaping up to have the right balance (ahem) (ahem) sorry there seems to be something wrong with my throat, must be hay fever (ahem).

Who would most enjoy your show?

Oh gosh… what a question… anyone with my sense of humour (ha ha), people who don’t take themselves to seriously, people who like stupid for stupid sake, perhaps someone looking for something a bit different to man/woman with a mic. But seriously after doing shows for a few years in Edinburgh and Nationwide, I really really don’t have a set type, young, old, shy, bold… just come I think you’ll like it. You will certainly get your money’s worth.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Daniel Cook, saw him the other week and he’s sooo good, Jordan Brookes, Matt Ewins, Harriet Kemsley, Jayde Adams: I also run this course called ‘Finding The Funny’ and there’s a few up from that this year… Olga Koch, Kit Sullivan, Abbie Murphy, Tash Goldstone… All really, really good. Should be a sweet, sweet year for the comedy.

Of course it goes without saying that I have the upmost respect for everyone taking a show up/creating something themselves/putting themselves out there/I mean we are all obviously narcissists… but the best kind of narcissists.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Well it’s a beautiful city that goes without saying. But, for the last 8 years, personally my favourite place is TOP SHOP on Princess Street, I go on the penultimate day of the Fringe and buy myself something new and garish as a treat from the sale and then laugh at myself for doing it as I never wear it, it’s the kind of thing my mum would do, so I think of her and it grounds me… 

What are your plans for the festival?

To have a jolly time at kids show’s with my baby, the baby’s an excuse, I love kids shows.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BETH VYSE AS OLIVE HANDS: THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE’‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Tori Scott: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Darren Bell

Who? Tori Scott
What? Tori Scott is #Thirsty
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 22:15

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

I am as prepared as I can be having never been to the Fringe or to Scotland. But, I feel like I’ve been preparing for this for several years now! Plus, I really needed to take a break from Trump for a little while.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?  

It is an audacious musical journey of slurred autobiographical stories and songs I stole from other people. I’m backed by my band The Shame Spirals and for an hour I will sing, drink vodka, and share self-deprecating stories while celebrating my poor life choices.  

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

It honestly depends on the day. Some days, I feel like my biggest obstacle is figuring out what I’m wearing. On another day, I feel like my jokes won’t land or be understood. But by far the biggest has been money. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported our Kickstarter. We raised over £17,000 pounds to bring #Thirsty to the Fringe and I will think of everyone who supported me every day that I’m in Edinburgh. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Everyone who is of drinking age will enjoy this show! I assure you! 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I highly recommend Lady Rizo. She also performs at Joe’s Pub at the Public in New York which is my artistic home and she is a delight. I’m very excited about the other comedians coming! Kate Berlant and Janeane Garofalo are top of my list!

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Well since I’ve never been, I don’t have a favorite thing yet. But, I look forward to discovering my favorite things… which will probably include a pub. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

Before I head back to New York, I’m excited to spend a couple days in London and then take the train to Paris. I’ve never been to Paris! The fact that you can take a 2 hour train to Paris is unreal. The only place I can get to by train in 2 hours from NYC is New Jersey and no one wants that.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TORI SCOTT: ‘#THIRSTY’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

The Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© P Allardyce

Who? The Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue
What? Ham
Where? Pleasance Dome, KingDome (venue 23)
When? 20:30

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

If we’re honest we have no idea what Edinburgh has in store for us. We’ve never done it before largely because it is very expensive for the acts and it has broken some good folks who have not had a nice time. It has always seemed an unnecessarily risky strategy for us a club act when we were quite happy doing the rounds, working on our set and slowly but generally improving over the years.

The circuit woes have got to the point now where it’s debatable whether a double act could survive any more with the reduction in clubs and the not wholly unconnected situation of diminishing wages being offered. It is a precarious world to be launching into for younger acts and it’s a shame that the breeding grounds of Jongleurs and other smaller clubs have now disappeared because that was a safe place to learn your trade, economically speaking anyway. It has become time then to lay out our wares at what is predominantly a trade fair. It is a shame that some of these movers and shakers never venture into the clubs to find talent. It is there every weekend and ripe for the plucking after all.

It is entirely Brett Vincent’s responsibility that we are going this year and we are working hard to produce a show that is worthy of his faith. We also have Andre Vincent on board as director and he has had lots of Edinburgh experience so we have a strong, warm, safe, sensual hand on our tillers.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It is a glimpse behind the glittering showbiz facade of Raymond and Mr Timpkins and into their murky home life where abuse and manipulation are rife but where a worm is about to turn. It has a flashback, an exploding church, a fair amount of dog poo, along with a spinning stage set to provide a dual situational comedy show.

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

It features a stage set which had to be made and painted, along with many new props and the recording of a full length backing track. Writing an hour show is a first for us and neither of us knew how to go about it resulting in a first preview that threw up a lot of problems. That experience pushed us toward coming up with a way to perform a show in near silence, where we mime along with and react to a pre recorded backing, much like in our club set but with the added complication of a narrative arc. We believe we now have a show that works, is in character with our style and is funny.

Who would most enjoy your show?

It’s aimed at people who like to laugh though I’m sure the chin strokers will get something from it too? All are welcome and with a 180 seater venue to fill every night, all are really and honestly very welcome. Do come. Please come. Do.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Looking forward to Terry Alderton’s musical show. I know Sally Anne Hayward is coming up this year so will go see what she’s up to. She’s always very funny. Steve Day’s show, Adventures in Dementia, will also be great if perhaps a bit harrowing? He’s a funny fella and if anyone can take on such a subject, it’s him. Not too sure who else is going. Been too busy working every day on our show.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s very beautiful, characterful and sometimes cobbly. Have only been a few times before so have got a bit of exploring to do. Last time we were here, we climbed Arthur’s Seat from the wrong side and were surprised in our exhaustion to see people in wheelchairs happily rolling about at the top. We shall use the path this year.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Lay down for a long period in a darkened room then back to the circuit. There is to be a national tour of the show in spring 2019.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE: ‘HAM’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Jim Tavaré: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Jim Tavaré

Who? Jim Tavaré
What? From Deadpan to Bedpan
Where? Laughing Horse @ The Counting House (venue 170)
When? 16:15

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

Nothing preps you for those cobbled hill climbs especially after acquiring 30 bone fractures in a Los Angeles car accident the previous year. The legacy of which left me severely injured and unsure if I would ever walk again let alone attempt Edinburgh with a new show. Here we are, 17 months later, flight is booked, exorbitant accommodation secured and ‘From Deadpan to Bedpan’ is written. Im sure there will be technology challenges along the way, drunken hecklers and the weight of the comedy industry around my shoulders but this, compared to what I’ve been through over the last year and a half will be small potatoes. Bring it on…

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Survival-against-the-odds story of how a spur of the moment decision led to exponential life change nay, total entropy as I was rendered nearly dead and completely smashed to bits after a car accident broke my neck, 12 ribs, punctured my lungs and left me with a detached hand and a right leg that now has more metal inside than the Tin Man. The show also features a cute fluffy dog called Mr Kippy-who was in the car with me at the time of accident.

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

The biggest obstacle I faced was not knowing if I was actually going to make it in order to tell this story. On a practical level I had enormous difficulty being able to use a keyboard with both arms being dysfunctional. As for writing longhand it was eight months before I could write again in a straight line. I had no idea what the future held but at the same time I had nothing to lose and I believe working on this show literally kept me alive and away from self pity.

Some writing days were painful. For instance, having to re-visit the nasty elements like flashbacks of the impact, subsequent opioid dependency and seeing my family struggle to cope with our new reality. Other days were uplifting, however as the show took shape and my comedy instincts returned. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

It’s a free Fringe show. This suits my narrative as I was left with extreme medical bills which rendered me flat broke. (Room and board in ICU was $652,000.) Telling this story at the Free Fringe is my way of thanking everyone who bought a ticket for the benefit that helped me and my family. I’m hoping people will also come if they have had trauma or an accident and are perhaps struggling with related issues like pain or anxiety. I believe it’s still possible to live life to the full after a life-changing event and not let it define you.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I haven’t been to the Edinburgh Fringe for 20 years so I fully intend to catch up with old friends and to see what they are doing: Zoe Lyons-one if my all time favorite comics, Terry Alderton is bringing up a musical this year, Justin Moorhouse is a highly skilled comedic storyteller, Bennett Arron is always funny and Julian Dutton is doing a show all about Wilson from Dad’s Army. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Los Angeles is my home now so I’m used seeing new buildings all the time. I’m looking forward to taking in some old architecture again. Dreading those bloody cobbles, though. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I would like to see if ‘From Deadpan to Bedpan’ has traction. If so, I would like to tour the UK  for 3 months and explore the possibility of intimate confessional storytelling as a TV format.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JIM TAVERÉ: FROM DEADPAN TO BEDPAN’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Douglas Walker: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Douglas Walker
What? Douglas Walker Presents: Of Christmas Past
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 22:50

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

This will be my 11th Edinburgh Fringe, so to some extent I feel prepared for whatever it can throw at me. Last year I did my improv show, Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised, at noon and my solo show at 10.45pm every day. So I more or less had a show every 12 hours for the whole month. It was totally exhausting. This year I’m delighted because I’m doing exactly the same but my solo show starts five minutes later, so I think that’ll make all the difference.

On the other hand, you never quite know what will come out of a Fringe run. I think the reason the Fringe is so important to me, and many other comedians, is that opportunities arise that you never would have considered.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year? 

The show is an exposé of the true origins of Santa Claus. It covers about a hundred years of history, unwrapping mysteries and deceptions that have been used to pull the wool over our eyes for decades. It’s a narrative comedy theatrical documentary, which really is the best genre.

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

Well the biggest obstacle is always money, in a variety of ways. For one thing it costs an unholy amount to put on an Edinburgh show. Just so much money. For months and months before Edinburgh you reach pay day and you’ve scraped together just enough to pay this deposit or that invoice and then you have no money for the rest of the month until the next instalment is due. And of course trying to balance working enough to earn that money and having enough time to write is a nightmare. It’s not an original or entertaining answer, but these failings are made up for by how completely true it is.

Artistically though, this is the first time I’ve done a narrative show, and it was difficult to find ways to showcase work-in-progress versions, as you can’t really take 20 minutes from the middle of the story and perform it in isolation. The audience would just be lost. So it was sort of all or nothing with previews. It just had to come out in one. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

I think the show will be popular with conspiracy theorists, and people who love Christmas, but also people who hate Christmas. You probably need to have heard of Christmas to enjoy it. The style of comedy is very theatrical, and quite smart. I performed the show in Brighton recently and an audience member came up to me afterwards and said he had loved it, but was going to go home, do some reading and come back the next day to try and get the other half of the jokes. Which he then did, which I was pretty flattered by. There’s a lot to chew over in it.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

One that I’m excited about is Stand Up Philosophy. It’s a mixture of comedy and philosophy performed by a mixture of comedians and philosophers and it is one of the most interesting shows around. I’ve performed at a few in London and hopefully I’ll get to do a couple during the Edinburgh run. I’m also looking forward to The Worst by Clara Cupcakes. She’s an Australian comedian with a background in clowning and burlesque, and this show is a live action video game. Her shows are so creative and always look amazing, as well as being hilarious. And of course the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society is always a winner.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I grew up in Edinburgh so it holds a very special place in my heart. I think it is truly beautiful; a feast for the senses. Except smell. Edinburgh is not a fragrant city. I think it is a testament to the city’s ingrained sense of history that it has striven to maintain it’s old nickname Auld Reekie well into an age when there is no need for anything to smell that bad. The Cowgate on a Monday morning is one of the most terrible and humbling experiences I can think of; that we, humanity, are capable of making that smell occur. But apart from the smell, it’s magnificent. I’ll go for chippy sauce.

What are your plans for after the festival?

So much of my life centres around the Edinburgh Festival in one way or another, it is the culmination of a year’s work on a new show, and the birth place of new opportunities for the coming year, that I think of it as the end of the year. The natural cycle has come to an end. I always find myself making New Year’s resolutions in mid-August while I am in the heat of the Fringe, resolutions that no one could keep once they get back to the humdrum world of September. So I plan to get fit, learn a language, go to more live music, finally get round to hanging some pictures in the living room, and take more risks.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘DOUGLAS WALKER PRESENTS: OF CHRISTMAS PAST’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Micky Overman: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© James Deacon

Who? Micky Overman
What? Role Model
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two (venue 33)
When? 22:30

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

Not at all, no. I’m glad I split an hour with a buddy last year just to get used to the Festival a little bit, but I have no idea what doing my own show will look like. I reckon it’ll be a bit lonely, but I’ll learn a lot. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s called Role Model. It chronicles my relationships with my ex-boyfriends, my parents and the girl I nanny for in London. I think it’s a really good way to get to know me, as it flips back and forth between the past and present and gives you a good idea of where I was and where I am now. And it’s funny!

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

Learning to stand on stage for longer than 30 minutes and not feeling like I need to apologise to audience for still talking to them. It’s a pretty big jump.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Probably any women who can enjoy a bit of filth and can relate to some really dumb break-up stories.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

There’s some absolutely glorious women debuting this Fringe, including: Heidi Regan, Catherine Bohart, Sarah Keyworth, Sindhu Vee and Olga Koch, just to name a few. I would 100% recommend all of their shows as they are all very, very funny.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s beautiful and you can walk everywhere. Living in London has many downsides, but one is definitely the fact that you’re always on public transport. I love spending a whole month just walking in clean air. God, that sounds so depressing.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Depends how the show goes and how much longer the lovely parents of the girl I nanny for will pay me to take care of her when really she’s fine on her own. I try not to think about it too much because of the loss of income, but mostly the loss of hanging out with her. She’s an absolute delight. Comedy wise, I will just keep on trying to get better and funnier. It sounds like a really straightforward answer, but people can really get caught up in all the hoopla surrounding the Fringe and the industry. So I will try to just keep focussing on the funny.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR MICKY OVERMAN: ‘ROLE MODEL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Laurence Clark: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Laurence Clark
What? An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting
Where? Assembly George Square Theatre: The Box (venue 8)
When? 17:40

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

I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year? 

Growing up, I never really thought about becoming a father. I never saw any dads with cerebral palsy; which made me think I’d never be one. Besides, my younger self was way too selfish to take care of another human being. The most he’d ever managed was a cactus, and even that died from lack of water. He was far too in love with having a disposable income and going for a poo with no children watching.

But when I meet my wife-to-be, she states I’d better be prepared for the fact she wants babies… which is a pretty strong opening line for a first date! What follows is the hilarious, honest, warm story of two people with cerebral palsy traversing the ups and downs of parenthood.

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

My kids are both natural performers and wanted to be part of the show, especially as it’s partly about them. But I struggled for a long while with how to meaningfully achieve this.

Then something quite odd happened. Several years ago when we were having our second son Jamie, my family and I were filmed for a BBC documentary about being parents who have cerebral palsy called We Won’t Drop the Baby – the title was not our idea! Recently it was put onto Youtube, which meant people all over the world could effectively look into our family home and type their considered, informed comments about us underneath.

I got told that having kids in my position is just irresponsible by someone calling themselves “pantyflash”. Talk about people in glass houses! Besides, if I was irresponsible then it’s got nothing to do with having cerebral palsy! In fact it’s probably more to do with things like balancing his wife’s crutches on his son’s baby walker to make him look like a Dalek! Someone else asked how could I even make the baby when I’m in a wheelchair and can’t hold anything properly? Of course, the simple answer to that is I did it the same way as everyone else, namely got drunk and forgot the condom! Someone called “Little Bunny Bunny” even said that I shouldn’t have been born or allowed to reproduce! Has there ever been a greater disparity between such a nasty opinion and such a cutesy name? So I filmed my kids reacting to some of these comments and saying what they thought of hem and this forms the basis of the show.

Who would most enjoy your show?

The obvious answer is people who are parents and disabled people, but actually I think everyone will enjoy it. I’ve even consciously watched my language this year and given it a 12 certificate as I hope some older kids will enjoy it. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I love Edinburgh! Over the course of my adult life I’ve probably spent at least a year up there if you added up all the Fringes I’ve done, plus a couple of years ago I was there in the winter rehearsing and performing a piece of physical dance theatre called Purposeless Movements by Birds of Paradise Theatre Company. This was a bit of a culture-shock, as Edinburgh mid-winter is not the same crowded, poster-filled city I was used to in the Fringe… and I thought it was cold in August! However my two favourite things about the city are both food-related, namely the Italian restaurant Amerone on St Andrew’s Square and the Handmade Burger Company at Leith. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I’m looking forward to seeing ‘My Left/Right Foot – The Musical’ (Assembly Roxy, 18:10) by Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, about an amateur dramatics company staging an all-singing version of the film My Left Foot. Anyway we’re on at the same time so come and see my show first!

What are your plans for after the festival?

I will be frantically finishing writing my play Cured which has won an Unlimited R&D commission and is being produced by the Liverpool Royal Court theatre and will be directed by Edinburgh-based director Robert Softley Gale. The tagline goes…

‘For some people, a trip to Lourdes in France means prayer, contemplation and quiet self-reflection. But for one group of young, disabled Scousers, it means alcohol, debauchery, fornication and definitely no frigging miracle cures!’

I need to have the script ready for a rehearsed reading on the Liverpool Royal Court’s main stage during DaDaFest on 12th November, after which I hope it will develop into a full production.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR LAURENCE CLARK: AN IRRESPONSIBLE FATHER’S GUIDE TO PARENTING’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Archie Maddocks: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Tom Leishman

Who? Archie Maddocks
What? Matchstick
Where? Just the Tonic at The Mash House (venue 288)
When? 13:55

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

I mean, yes and no. I go every year, so I know what’s in store, but you can never really prepare in that sense for the festival. Anything and everything can happen, it’s a hurricane of opportunity and emotion which constantly surprises you. So in that sense, I’m ready, because I know there’s going to be some stuff come up that I would never have expected.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about me, the things I think I unwittingly benefit from which in turn make society both a better and worse place. Or, to put it another way, it’s an idiot trying to explore the concept of nuance.

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

I think myself, how far I’m willing to push things, how willing I am to make myself feel uncomfortable to explore something meaningful. Past years, I’ve told silly stories that I loved telling, but this year my routines actually mean something. Plus, the end of the show (which I won’t spoil) is about something enormously tragic that I feel a massive sense of responsibility in talking about. So I think this year it’s mainly been about me getting over the fear. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Honestly, there’s something in this show for everyone. There’s some stupid stories, dirty stuff, lacerating opinionative social commentary (how fucking arrogant does that sound!?) and some pathos (I have gone peak arrogant dickhead in this bit, I am so sorry). Probably not best if you want a simple, light hour of comedy.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Sindhu Vee is great. Tim Renkow is one of my favourites. I would say give a chance to someone you’ve not seen or heard of. Go see something different too. I once saw a cabaret where I watched a man ram his arm up his batty up to the elbow. I’m not saying I enjoyed that, but it was definitely an experience. And me, please. I should recommend myself, or is that too needy? I don’t care if it is, please come. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I love the layers and the gothic mysticism of the city (which you don’t really take in during the festival). It’s such a wonderful city to walk around and get lost in. I could see myself living there if the climate was better.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m doing a lot of TV writing stuff, so I’ll have to recalibrate and get back into that pretty sharpish. But, before that, I’m going to Tobago on holiday where I can sit on a beach for ten days, question every single one of my life decisions to date and be chastised by my family for not having a proper job. That’s my standard post Edinburgh come-down.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ARCHIE MADDOCKS: ‘MATCHSTICK’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018