Maisie Adam

Maisie Adam: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019

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© Andy Hollingworth Archive
Who? Maisie Adam
What? Hang Fire
Where? Gilded Balloon Teviot – Billiard Room (Venue 14)
When? 17:00

What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?

The feelings I have entering the Fringe are a lot different to the ones I have once I’m up there and have done the first couple of shows! In the run up to Edinburgh, I’m just a walking bag of nerves, but once I’m up there and got the first show out the way then I know I’m just going to enjoy it. I loved last year and that had the pressure of being a newcomer which I don’t have this year, so my aim is to just enjoy the month as much as possible – it’s the biggest and best arts festival in the world, so I’m sure that won’t be too hard.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’m going to be really annoying here and say “I can’t reveal too much” as there’s a twist in the show which would ruin it if you already knew. But it’s about owning your mistakes, blame culture and also looks at how quick we are to jump on people and label them terrible people without letting them make mistakes. Is that a wishy-washy answer? Good, it’s meant to be!

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

Getting permission to do it. And I won’t say more than that!

Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?

No. I’ve only ever done one Fringe – last year’s – and I was just in awe the whole month at how incredible it was. The year before, I just came up for a few days to compete in the So You Think You’re Funny final, and I knew then that it was special!

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Comedy-wise, I’m really excited to see Rosie Jones’ second show – I loved her show last year and think she’s bloody brilliant. Amusical is always a fantastic show, so I’ll be sure to catch that as well! In terms of theatre, I’m really excited to see Madame Ovary by Rosa Hesmondalgh, a friend put me in touch with her last year and she’s incredible. She’s beaten cancer and written a one-woman play about it in the space of a year. Absolutely amazing, I can’t wait to see it.

Where would you like to be in a year’s time?

Walking the runway of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, as Harry Styles watches from the front row and realises what he could have had. I’m very realistic.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR MAISIE ADAM: ‘HANG FIRE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2019

Maisie Adam: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Maisie Adam
What? Vague
Where? Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wee Room (venue 14)
When? 16:30

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

I can only hope so! With this being my first Edinburgh Fringe I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but I’ve been seeking advice from fellow comics on some do’s and don’ts and also what to expect. The main thing people are telling me is to just enjoy it, and to not get caught up in comparing yourself to other comedians and their shows, which is pretty sound advice. I think performing an hour-long show every day for a month will be challenging but I’m ready for it!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

So it’s about my experiences of growing up and navigating my teen years whilst being diagnosed with Epilepsy. I know that doesn’t sound hilarious, but I think I’ve managed to make it a comedy show and not a Ted Talk by sharing my experiences with a comedic perspective. It’s not something I’ve often spoke about, and for many years not even my parents were aware of the extent of it, so it’s been fun and interesting to finally tell the whole story – or at least, the story so far – through stand-up comedy. To be totally honest I think that’s the only format through which I actually feel comfortable talking about it.

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

This is going to sound really pretentious, and if I read this answer I would definitely roll my eyes, but it was being honest with myself. There were a lot of points in the story where I wanted to skip over the details and get straight to the jokes, but if I did that the jokes didn’t work. When I realised this show only works if you’re 100% honest about the experiences, it became a lot easier to write. I also think it shows when a comedian is talking about something as though it’s their personal experience and it’s really not, and I think the audience respects someone who shares something personal or at least authentic. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

There’s a few references to things from the late naughties so I think anyone of a similar age to me, who experiences their teens in those years will be able to relate to a lot of it. Also anyone who can remember that feeling of wanting to do everything and anything just because your friends were also doing it, whilst also discovering your own independence, opinions and thoughts. Your late teens are such an interesting time, and I was trying to do as much as possible but sometimes my Epilepsy got in the way or hindered those experiences; you don’t have to be epileptic to relate to that, you just need to remember your teens.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I just came back from the Cat Laughs festival in Kilkenny where I saw Catherine Bohart do a preview of her show “Immaculate” which was ace, so I would definitely recommend that as I can imagine by Edinburgh it’ll be a stellar show. I’ve also seen Will Penswick’s preview of his show “Dank Verse” – he’s a character comedian who presents this really pretentious poet and it is laugh-out-loud funny.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Not only is it stunning, but I love how the entire city gets right on board with the Fringe; everywhere you go people are hyped about it, you see banners right across town (not just at the venues but in café’s, hotels, buses, shops) and that is so lovely to see. It feels like this amazing bubble of support for the arts. I wish everywhere was like it all year round!

What are your plans for after the festival?

Firstly, I am going to take a holiday! I know I’ll be knackered by the end of the Fringe, and will have spent the whole month chatting and socialising with people non-stop (which will be great) but I’ll be ready for a quiet break so I’ve booked an InterRail trip to Italy… just me, the sun and some pizza! Hopefully after that, I’d love to continue my show elsewhere, perhaps at comedy festivals and theatres. Who knows!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR MAISIE ADAM: ‘VAGUE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018