The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

Stuart Goldsmith: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Matt Crockett

Who? Stuart Goldsmith
What? End Of
Where? Liquid Room Annexe (venue 276)
When? 14:50

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

Certainly am! It’s my 25th year and I’m playing a 250 seater at 2.50pm. Those last two are coincidence but I’m embracing it. I first came to the festival as a 16 year old and have performed standup, sketch or on the street at every single one. The question is, is the Fringe prepared for me?!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I try not to be tied to a premise. If it’s about anything it’s about effort and how I don’t put enough in, in any aspect of my life. But it’s just jokes gang. Big, big jokes.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced while putting this show together?

My toddler and my podcast. And the constantly running soundtrack from the film “Moana” in the back of my mind, thanks to the first one of those.

Who would most enjoy your show?

ABC1’s. No just kidding, I don’t even know if that’s a thing. I don’t write with a particular audience in mind, I just try to make myself laugh, and then trim away all the bits that no one else finds as hilarious.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

ALWAYS BE MAT EWINS-ING.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Cycling around it – half the time you’re on a gentle incline, but the other half you’re zooming downhill swerving around tourists gaping at the architecture from the middle of the road.

What are your plans for after the festival?

I TAKE A GODDAMN YEAR OFF. And have a second child in October. So probably not that relaxing. Might not tour next year, might just go to ground and raise my family. So give me all your money this year please.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR STUART GOLDSMITH: ‘END OF’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

James Hancox: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Rosie Collins

Who? James Hancox
What? Sports For The Unsporty
Where? Assembly George Square Theatre (venue 8)
When? 16:00

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

Getting there! This year I’ve actually drawn up a Fringe-warm-up schedule, to get me in shape for the big month. It involves daily lunges, vegetables and – of course – writing sessions. I haven’t bothered doing any of it yet, but I figure planning is 75% of the battle.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

I’ve always been quite awful at sports, so for my debut solo show I decided to make my own up and teach them to the people of Edinburgh.

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

One of the consequences of putting on a show with ‘sports’ in the title is that people presume you know a lot about them. I’ve had to blag my way through so many World Cup-related conversations. I’m now quite good at making up names of footballers.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Anyone who has the burning heart of a champion, but lacks the skills for conventional sports. I’m here to prove that by moving the goalposts (figuratively and literally), anyone can be a winner.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I recently did a preview with Katie Pritchard, who has a gloriously silly show called ‘Tsunamiramirami’ filled full of songs, DIY costumes and surreal comedy. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Steen Raskopoulos’ new show this year – last year’s blew me away. Finally, I’d totally recommend my old pal Rob Broderick’s (Abandoman) show too – from what I’ve seen so far, this year’s show looks like it’s going to be sonically amazing.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Edinburgh is a city of staircases. I always end up running around it, so in August my ‘stepometer’ score’s big. It’s why my warm up schedule (above) has so many lunges.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Most sportsmen carb-load before their games, but I plan to continue it for a month afterwards. Mostly pizzas. In my underpants. With the Rocky box set. It’s a scientific process.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JAMES HANCOX: ‘SPORTS FOR THE UNSPORTY’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

Chris Turner: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Chris Turner
What? We’re Where We Were
Where? Pleasance Courtyard, Upstairs (venue 33)
When? 21:45

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

Gosh, you make it sound so scary! It’s my 12th Edinburgh, and I’ve had a pretty reliable routine that’s got me through so far. The festival’s always changing, always staying the same — as long as the weather’s still mediocre,  the Royal Mile is still littered with flyers for Spring Awakening, and City Chippy still does belting Haggis Suppers, it’s the same old Edinburgh. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

2018 has been the best year of my life so far, but has also presented the biggest challenges. No matter how well things are going, there are always going to be problems. As one of the posh kids at my school frequently said ‘The most succulent pheasant breast is still riddled with shot’. I’ve never eaten pheasant, but I like the saying.

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

It’s the first of my five solo shows that I’ve written and performed entirely in America, so there’s always the worry that once it’s in front of British audiences, I’ll realise that I’ve been coasting by thanks to my accent and manners. (If I’m honest though, I did a week long run in Orlando, which is crawling with more Brits than an Amsterdam Saturday, so Edinburgh audiences needn’t worry!)

© Abby Tebeau

Who would most enjoy your show?

One of the best things about coming back to Edinburgh, year on year, is seeing the audience you attract – so, based on the last four years’ shows, men and women over 18 who don’t mind jokes about esoteric subjects, freestyle raps about esoteric suggestions, and kind of know what the word esoteric means. Them, and Americans, to cheer and applaud when I say that I’m married, otherwise I’ll feel a little let down.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

I’m in a barnstormingly silly show called Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised, where I get to mess around for an hour with my best friends. It’s our ninth year doing the show, and it’s a joy to perform. Apart from that self-serving plug, go and support comics doing their debut hours, like the unbelievably funny Matt Rees, and the hilarious slow-burn gags of Heidi Regan. Also, Scott Bennett told me the funniest joke I’ve heard all year — go see his show and ask him to tell you it after.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Whether it’s Fringe or not, Edinburgh has this dark, foreboding majesty (oooooh, fancy) that appeals to the part of me that wanted to be a goth but couldn’t get his mum’s permission to use black hair dye. I like walking round it, and absorbing that Victorian plague vibe. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’ll be returning to LA to top up on greens and chia seeds, before recommencing my assault on America’s penchant for an English accent in a button down shirt.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CHRIS TURNER: ‘WE’RE WHERE WE WERE’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

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

Tom Ward: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Tom Ward
What? Popcorn Lung
Where? Just The Tonic @ The Mash House (venue 33)
When? 19:30

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

I go through waves. In February I was ecstatic, chomping at the bit, texting triumphantly to people. Same in May. Now June is here, the curtains and drawn and I’m watching documentaries about serial killers and cults that went bad, and haven’t spoken to anyone for 32 hours.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Perspective, and how it changes constantly. The result is that nothing feels real, it’s just stories we have for that particular thing at any given moment that’ll do for now. I am constantly discovering that everything I thought I knew is wrong. Lately it’s meant drawing the curtains to get a rest from that!

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

Deciding how honest to be. It’s always tempting to skim off the top layer of truth in the interest of keeping things nice and jolly. But I’ve got a bit tired of that.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Erm, people who feel unsettled I guess, or that life is not what it seems, or perhaps that things aren’t don’t feel quite right… or that there’s more to life than what middle England seems to strive for, however miserable it makes them (marriage, panel shows, car, kids that play the system). It’s all bollocks. Death is coming. Why waste it?

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Roisin and Chiara, they’re bonkers sketch act with a nice slab of mania and sexiness in equal measure. Fin Taylor, guaranteed to be explosive.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s gothic but with a strangely light touch. Every way you turn it feels cinematic, precise, weather driven, oh and the skies are just insane. The way the clouds drift across the moon. I can’t believe how pretty it is.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Rest for a week, get some sun somewhere, await the dreaded anti-climax of it all!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TOM WARD: ‘POPCORN LUNG’ 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

Luke Rollason: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Luke Rollason
What? Luke Rollason’s Planet Earth
Where? Monkey Barrel Comedy Club (venue 515)
When? 14:30

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

It’s my debut year performing a solo show, which I don’t know how you can ever be prepared for. Stamina-wise, last year was good training. Somehow I survived doing two shows a day (1pm and 12.30am: a wise combination) for the month – and I was lucky enough to perform this show last year in the same venue (The Monkey Barrel) for a few days. Then again, I still haven’t got a backup for my ancient overhead projector. This absolutely essential prop is currently held together by gaffer tape and at this stage is pretty much a ticking time bomb. This makes me about as unprepared as possible. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

The premise of my Edinburgh show is that I am an intern in the bowels of a BBC which has had its budget slashed, tasked with creating the third series of David Attenborough’s Planet Earth, by himself, using office supplies. Oh, and all animals are extinct. This probably isn’t even the most far-fetched premise in Edinburgh. The backstory is mostly irrelevant – when latecomers miss all the exposition they don’t have much trouble catching up when I start birthing thousands of seahorses into their face.

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

Absurdly, one of the harder things about creating Planet Earth is that nature is far more bizarre than any physical comedy show. The appeal of nature documentaries is in finding out things which you would never otherwise believe – but if you stick that in a comedy show, your audience will just think you’ve invented something and not even well. Natural selection, it turns out, is one of those comedians whose anecdotes you don’t believe a word of. Lizards with detachable genitalia? Pull the other one! Etc. Finding the line between creating something that is recognisable (example: male seahorses give birth) and something that is surprising (example: that man is birthing seahorses into my face) has been the key to the show. 

Who would most enjoy your show?

David Attenborough. But assuming that he is too busy saving the world, my show’s ideal audience is anyone who is mildly familiar with the concept of a nature-documentary. If this is too much to ask I’ll settle for anyone who is familiar with the concept of nature, to the extent that they are aware that a spider is not a man covered in sellotape. 

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations? 

I certainly do! The show I’m most excited about seeing this year is Kit Sullivan’s debut hour ‘Lad’ at Heroes @ Dragonfly. Watching him is like spending time with your best mate, but your best mate has gone a bit weird and eerie whilst you’ve been away and now he sticks dolls’ heads on sticks. In a funny way. He’s also one of the nicest people I know. Other recommendations: Wigwam Wonder Jam (I came up with the name, so the show must be good) which is a early late night clown party in a tent, Loose Brie Solve Everything, David McIver Is A Nice Little Man and Moon.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

It’s hard to say when I’ve only ever been there during the Fringe, except for last year when I spent the last days of July wandering around empty attractions waiting to be filled by the incoming tide… But there’s lots going for Edinburgh as I know it. It’s filled with little pockets of brilliance that mean sometimes you feel you are in a giant village instead of a capital city. The charity shops and the people that volunteer there are a joy. I made friends with someone working in Age UK last year because I was doing a clown cabaret where I was trying new material every night. She would keep hold of bizarre rubbish for me that no one else would buy. One day I bought a scooter and a knight’s helmet, which I wore as I scooted home through the park. I didn’t do anything else with either for the entire Fringe, and I donated them back at the end of the month. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

Somewhat idiotically, I decided what I’d most want to do after 26 consecutive performances of my show is drag the whole thing across Scotland to perform it again. So at the end of August I’m going to be performing at the 2018 Carlisle Fringe Festival, or at least my reanimated carcass will be. In between I’ll have a few days lying in stupor as the Heroes Blundabus is dismantled around me. I’ll claim to be helping but I’ll probably only manage to fold a few deckchairs, if last year is anything to go by. More long term, my plans are to perform at the Sea Life Centre in London, grow old and eventually die.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ‘LUKE ROLLASON’S PLANET EARTH’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018