Jayne Edwards: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019
Who? Jayne Edwards
What? Jayne Edwards Is Top Bodybuilder Brian
Where? Heroes @ Dragonfly – Room (Venue 414)
When? 22:00
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
Well, as it’s my first solo show, I’m really excited. I know nothing of the psyche crushing intensity of it all yet, so I’m feeling pretty great. I have a really great show so I am looking forward to get it out there. And obviously I’m self-flagellating about saving money right now.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
My Edinburgh show is about an ex-top bodybuilder called Brian. Brian is based on guys from my home town of Rhyl, where he lives in a caravan and tries to crack the recipe to Lucozade in his spare time. The show is going back through his life to find out where it all went so right. Brian is essentially a satire, but at times physical and ridiculous. As well as stand up, the show is a bit of everything. Dance, song, animation, video. Many comedians warned me not to mix other mediums with stand-up. It releases evil spirits that can only be cleansed by an old school comedian telling you to write a joke, love. But I told them I wasn’t afraid. And now I’ve made a really fun show! And the evil spirits just add to the vibe!
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
Putting the show together was overall pretty fun. I find writing for Brian natural and the idea of my very own show freeing. I wish I had a big dramatic story about finding a huge personal obstacle in making this show but I’m don’t. So I will just say “9/11”.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
I used to see it as kind of closed off. I applied and didn’t get a venue despite being relatively established on the Northern circuit for years. I’ve always lived in the North and I felt left out. This got compounded because I’m naturally shy. I was a humble bumpkin. And, not to be crude, but the cost of Edinburgh is terrifying. Coming from a working class background, it’s hard to personally justify the expense and the time off my day job. It’s a personal fight to force myself to invest financially in my talent and years of hard work, in a way that isn’t just on needed train tickets or a new bald cap. Especially as a “weird act”, getting any sort of footing is hard if you don’t get your elbows out and start digging. But recently, I have had people reaching out and helping me organise stuff, giving me bigger opportunities and putting me in touch with people I didn’t know how to approach. And now? I’m a complete fucking monster. God, I can’t wait to get up there, put on a tiara and shove flyerers into puddles because they look at me the wrong way.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
Foxdog Studios: Tomorrow’s Office – 17.00 – Heroes @ the Hive
Sean Morely: Soon I will be dead and my bones will be free to wreak havoc upon the earth once more – 15.20 – Heroes @ the Hive
The Delightful Sausage: Ginster’s Paradise – 12.00 – Monkey Barrel
Andy Barr: The Ruby – 20.15 – Heroes@ Black Medicine
Adam Larter: Good Morning Croissant – 19.20 – Heroes @ The Hive
Consignia – 11th-17th – 1.45am – Banshee Labyrinth
The Glang Show – 7th and 14th – 21.00 – Heroes @ The Hive.
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
Ideally I would like more comedy writing work. I like writing. I’ll do stand-up till I die but I sometimes feel old already so the idea of just writing and not drawing on myself and throwing my body about a stage is starting to become very appealing. And Edinburgh is a good chance to be seen by a wider range of people. I was one of those acts who became obsessed with becoming some kind of DIY punk cult comedian after getting one rejection email from a big name club. So broadening my group of loyal fans to three, possibly four people would be great!
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘JAYNE EDWARDS IS TOP BODYBUILDER BRIAN’ HERE