The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Peter Michael Marino: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Peter Michael Marino
What? Show Up
Where? Laughing Horse at The Counting House, The Lounge (venue 170)
When? 16:45

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

I feel totally prepared for the “unknown.” And now I feel weird admitting that. Like, it’s a curse to be prepared. This is my fifth Ed Fringe and if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that you have to be prepared for anything and everything. I’ve worked hard on developing the show, and sent out my press stuff on time, and found a flat… so yes, I’m looking forward to all of it. Damn the curse!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

“Show Up” is the same show I did last year, only not, because each show is 75% different. It’s an improvised solo comedy show about the good, bad, and ugly life experiences of the audience… plus a bit about my own mental health challenges. The audience also helps with the set, props, and sound. Oh, and there’s a party. I know. It sounds complicated, but it’s really not.

© Alice Levy

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

I was nervous about discussing my battles with social anxiety and depression. They weren’t even a part of the first few workshops. But, I had to be honest. Those issues are literally why the show exists, so I started adding them in. It gave the show a “why.” If I’m not doing something all the time, I fall into the pit of despair. I didn’t have the right material for a brand new solo show over a year ago, and I knew I had to create something, so I concocted this premise where I create the show based on material I get from the audience. Did I mention it’s a comedy? 

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who likes to laugh. Anyone who enjoys being on the edge of their seat. Anyone who’s had challenging life experiences. Anyone who enjoys the solo show genre and who wants to see it presented in a very different way. I sorta take the piss out of the genre, while embracing it at the same time. I know. It’s crazy. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Big fan of Neal Portenza and Lucy Hopkins. See their stuff, as they never disappoint. And they are both doing free shows! You can’t go wrong. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The fresh air and grass. The hills (yes, I like hills. It’s like a free gym membership). The sunsets. And the generosity of spirit. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

To sleep? For a week? A month?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR PETER MICHAEL MARINO: ‘SHOW UP’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Steve Bugeja: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Avalon

Who? Steve Bugeja
What? Almost
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 15:30

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

I really should be, it’s my fourth solo show. I’m actually very excited, I would have thought that by now the novelty may have worn off, but it hasn’t at all, I still bloody love it. The stress of writing a show beforehand is not so fun, but once it’s in shape the excitement to get up there will kick in. The thing that makes me most look forward to it is the thought of all the people who come back and watch me year after year, it is an incredible feeling when you speak to audience members after and they say they’ve come to every show. Hopefully this isn’t the year they decide to stop coming.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

While about to fly back from Japan to the UK I received a text which flipped my entire world upside down, I then had to put my phone onto airplane mode and just sit and think about the consequences of the message. For 13 hours. The show sees my neuroticism unfold as I zoom across the world with only my spiralling thoughts as company.

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

I’ve always done big story shows and I’ve always known what that story was very early on. My first year was all about me hanging out with a prisoner on Day Release, my second was about my tribulations in getting my first girlfriend and the most recent was about me working on an American kids camp when I was 18. But this year I just set out to write a really funny show. No big stories. Inevitably I’ve ended up stringing a narrative though it, so the biggest obstacle was working the opposite way around. Normally I have the story and then build the jokes, this time I had the jokes and have had to fit it around the story.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Genuinely anyone I think. But going by the specific content, you would particularly enjoy the show if you’re a fan of Japanese toilets, overthinking things and Grandads.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Yes, go and see Alex Edelman, Flo & Joan, Harry and Chris and Larry Dean. Also check out newcomers Heidi Regan, George Lewis and Jake Lambert, they’re all ace.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city? 

The fact that it is willing to sacrifice itself for an entire month so that a load of show offs can come and indulge their dreams.  And the castle is pretty cool.

What are your plans for after the festival? 

I am going on holiday with my friends where I will not think about comedy for a whole week. And then I’m taking my show on a national tour across the UK in the Autumn.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR STEVE BUGEJA: ‘ALMOST’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Jacob Hawley: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Avalon

Who? Jacob Hawley
What? Howl
Where? Just the Tonic at The Mash House (venue 288)
When? 15:40 

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

I hope so but its quite hard to tell isn’t it. Last year was the first time I’d done the Fringe properly, I did a 40 minute show on the free Fringe, and despite basically getting everything I wanted from the run (nothing huge happened but I achieved what I set out to at the start) I still ended up getting really down without actually knowing it at the time. But I’m hopeful for this year. I’ve got a big old poster which will calm the nerves, no doubt.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s my debut hour so the premise is to basically present who I am and where I came from to people who wouldn’t have heard of me or seen me before. I talk about my family, my home town and where I am now, and how I feel about stuff. Its about class in relation to politics and there’s some stuff about death, a bang on description of ketamine-induced-mania and it’s funny.

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

Stand up is really, really hard. All of it is subjective and intangible and no one is naturally inclined to sitting and listening to another person speak for 50 minutes (my show won’t be a full 60 minutes because I’m not a fucking psychopath) so you have to overcome that. And the World Cup is on at the moment so whilst I want to dedicate every waking minute to making this show as good as it can be, every pore in my body is screaming at me to watch the football and drink cold continental lager.

Who would most enjoy your show?

I’d like to think it’s pretty universal, although some of it is about politics I think my stuff appeals to people who wouldn’t usually go to see political comedy. It’s probably more social than political observations. There are, however, 6 policemen who came to see a preview of this show in London (I will never know why) and they hated it so much that their response gave me a bit of a nervous breakdown. So long as you’re not one of those policemen, this show is for you.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

My flatmates, Rob Oldham and the sketch group Moon, good honest men who would all go to their death for the values they have sworn to uphold. Heidi Regan is a genius so that’ll be great. And big papa Phil Ellis is doing a show about how he is ready for the big time, which sounds hilarious.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Mosque Kitchen.

What are your plans for after the festival?

In all honesty I’ve just had a massive break up so I wont have anywhere to live or anything, so I’ll basically just start a fresh, find somewhere new to live and start building a life again. EXCITING!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JACOB HAWLEY: ‘HOWL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Alice Fraser: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Sally Sparrow

Who? Alice Fraser
What? Ethos
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 19:55

Frank Foucault: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Frank Foucault
What? Shoes
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 20.10

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

If someone says they know what the Fringe has in store, they’re lying. Feeling prepared for the Fringe is a sign that you’re un-prepared for the Fringe. That being said, I think my show itself is in a decent place at this point, and I’m confident that it’s ready. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year? 

The show is called ‘Shoes’. There’s lots of shoes in it, but I’m reticent to say that it’s about shoes. It’s probably more about dating and relationships, but told through the medium of shoes. It’s better than it sounds.

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

Aside from the never-ending nature of trying to get a show better, the practical and logistical obstacles for this show are more than I would like. There are a lot of props. I lost a bag of shoes at Machynlleth Comedy Festival and had to re-collect a whole bunch right in the middle of a flurry of previews, which wasn’t great.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Big-city investors, stock-brokers, management consultants, war-criminals, rabbis, foley artists, hedge-fund executives, tree-surgeons and professional poker players.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Jordan Brookes. Sean Morley. Olga Koch. Matt Rees. Lucy Pearman. Brian Gittins. Loose Brie. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city? 

I think it’s the most beautiful city in the UK, maybe even Europe. It’s for sure up there with Paris or Prague.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m doing a teaching course to teach English as a second language, and I might be going to Disneyland.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR FRANK FOUCAULT: ‘SHOES’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Vince Ebert: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment
Who? Vince Ebert
What? Sexy Science. Made In Germany
Where? Underbelly, Bristo Square (venue 302)
When? 13:30

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

Absolutely! I already played a couple of mixed shows last year. This year I debut with my stand-up solo “Sexy Science”.  I hope that the combination of a German comedian who is also a physicist is crazy enough for the Fringe.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

In “Sexy Science” I explain scientific facts with the fundamental laws of humour: Why is the sky blue? Why is the night black? Why shouldn’t we eat yellow snow? And of course I’m willing to debunk the myth that Germans have no sense of humour. The first time I entered the lab of my German university I saw a sign: “Don´t look directly into the laser beam with your remaining eye.”

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

The biggest challenge was to combine scientific and cultural topics. But it worked! In the show I’ll explain why Americans, Brits or Germans believe in completely different nonsense. As a physicist I’m often asked: What do you think of astrology? My answer is always: “Sorry, I don’t believe in astrology because I’m a very skeptical person. Which is typical for a Scorpio.”

Who would most enjoy your show?

In Germany I’ve been playing my science shows in huge venues for almost 20 years. For me it’s always the best thing to see how heterogeneous my audience is: educated and working class people, old and young sit together and laugh at the same jokes. The only thing you really need for my show: bring your brains! 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to see what’s there yet. As you know, this is an unbelievable amount. I think I will be inspired on the spot by my British colleagues. Luckily my show takes place in the afternoon, so I will have the opportunity to see the some of the big evening shows.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The restaurants are amazing!!! I’m afraid I’m gonna spend my entire salary on food. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

After the festival my German tour continues. But next year, I’m moving to NYC with my wife for a whole year! Maybe I’ll even make some American contacts during the Fringe.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR VINCE EBERT: ‘SEXY SCIENCE. MADE IN GERMANY’ HERE 

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Rory O’Keeffe: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Arsalan Sattari

Who? Rory O’Keeffe
What? The 37th Question
Where? Banshee Labyrinth (venue 156)
When? 13:20

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

Yes. The official hashtag this year is #IntoTheUnknown, but this is my 10th Fringe so I personally feel it should be #HereWeGoAgain or #Another? #Really?.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

‘The 37th Question’ is a comic storytelling show about a couple in their early 30’s who met doing ‘The 36 Questions’, a psychological experiment designed to make strangers become intimate. It’s about what happens 4 years later when they approach the ‘37th Question’… It’s about choices, jealousy, miscommunication. It’s also slightly interactive as the audience can choose which way the narrative goes at certain points, including the ending.

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

It’s been a challenge as it’s a slight change of genre for me. Instead of taking about myself like a narcissistic stand-up, I am telling the story of two fictional people like a narcissistic writer/actor. At times I’ve felt awkward, like I’m delivering a GCSE Drama monologue, but then I just worked that criticism into the show itself like a cowardly comedian.

Who would most enjoy your show?

The Liberal Metropolitan Elite. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Yes, lots. Christopher Bliss. Lolly Adefope. Matt Winning’s shows about climate change are good. And, of course, I am looking forward to watching all 22 productions of ‘Hamlet’. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The people. The views. The street patterns. It’s a very rewarding city to be familiar with in terms of navigation, like knowing a secret code. (Although I haven’t explored it as much as I would like.)

What are your plans for after the festival?

I am moving to Italy for a bit. There are no Fringe festivals there.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR RORY O’KEEFFE: ‘THE 37TH QUESTION’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Suzi Ruffell: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Jiksaw

Who? Suzi Ruffell
What? Nocturnal
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 21:45

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

This is my 5th solo hour so I hope so!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

This year’s show is all about anxiety, the different worries that keep me up at night from world politics to something I did to embarrass myself in 2011.

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

This year I have really had to learn to write on the road, I toured last years show ‘Keeping It Classy’ until May and in June I toured Australia for 5 weeks as part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. In previous years I would have a neat little set up at home with tea and biscuits and my little cat to bounce ideas off but this year I have been in hotels and libraries all over the UK and Australia. I have really enjoyed it.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Humans, although I am quite physical so I think dogs could enjoy me too.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Heaps – Jen brister, Zoe Lyons, Felicity Ward, Rosie Jones, Heidi Regan, Jake Lambert, Ed Gamble, to be honest the list could go on and on.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

That place that does pies until really late.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Going to Spain with my mum for a week so we can drink, sunbathe and she can pass judgement on anyone nearby ‘I wouldn’t have a baby out that late’, ‘Oh he is very pink, that’ll hurt tomorrow’ etc.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR SUZI RUFFELL: ‘NOCTURNAL’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Gareth Richards: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Edward Moore

Who? Gareth Richards
What? Prophet
Where? Whistlebinkies (venue 158)
When? 14:45

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

Well this is my 11th year doing the festival so I have some experience of the sort of things Edinburgh can throw at you, but who knows what tomorrow brings.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My Edinburgh show is called “Prophet” and has some funny comedy routines and approximately 4 comedy songs in. It’s called, “Prophet” because I’ve always know that is what I’m going to call it. I’m hoping the show will be really funny and that people will enjoy it. This is my eighth Edinburgh show and according to the first website I looked at when I googled, “significance of the number 8”, 8 is the number of resurrection and regeneration, which considering my previous experiences at the Edinburgh Festival is just as well. I guess one theme of the show is that I’ve had some therapy this year to try deal with my negative thought patterns, which I imagine will show themselves throughout the rest of this Q&A.

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

PROCRASTINATION.

Who would most enjoy your show?

People who find everything I say and do hilarious. I don’t care why, but previous reasons for this have been drunkenness, mistakenness, and being a toddler.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Nah mate. There’s not really anything much else on.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s cold, stony, indifference.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Recovery.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR GARETH RICHARDS: ‘PROPHET‘ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Chris Grace: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Leave a Comment

© Greg Crowder

Who? Chris Grace
What? Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody
Where? Assembly George Square Studios (venue 17)
When? 17:00

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

I have no idea, but probably not. This is my first year as a producer and the biggest unknown is that I don’t know what I don’t know. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

“Voldemort” is a musical parody and loving tribute to the world of Harry Potter. It’s a prequel of sorts, showing what Tom Riddle was like before he became He Who Must Not Be Named.

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

Casting and scheduling! Getting eight talented Los Angeles actors to pull up stakes and leave the country for five weeks is very difficult.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Harry Potter fans, no doubt, but also fans of irreverent delightful comedy and music. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I’ll definitely be checking out Sofie Hagen, Phil Ellis, and as much magic and circus as I can fit in my schedule. 

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s either the rich tapestry of history and culture that weaves its way through the very cobblestones of the town, or it’s a restaurant called Noodles & Dumplings on South Clerk Street. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

To return to California and avoid looking at my bank account.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘VOLDEMORT’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018