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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Russ Peers: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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Who? Russ Peers
What? Hereditary Peers
Where? Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre (venue 27)
When? 19:10

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

This will be my second solo show but as it’s my debut hour I’m feeling the pressure for my show to be better and different and much funnier than my last one. Short answer, no I’m not prepared!

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My show is me looking at how different my life is to my parents’ and how different I am from them. But also, how I’m turning into them as I age and although I find myself with a very different life to them my reaction to situations I find myself in is usually the same; what on earth am I doing at a dinner party where someone is playing a viola?!

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

It’s a dull admin thing but managing to find a venue was the hardest part but luckily the lovely people at Just The Tonic have given me an ace venue at a great time so I’m chuffed. Apart from that it was trying to think of something I could say that people might be interested in hearing and laughing at.

© Edward Moore

Who would most enjoy your show? 

It’s a show for everyone who’s ever had parents. I hope there are things most people could identify with whether they’re a working class, chunky homosexual from the North West of England or not.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations? 

This list could go on forever and apologies if I miss someone and also I don’t know the show names but here goes: Zoe Lyons, Tom Allen, Suzi Ruffell, Athena Kugblenu, Jenny Collier, George Lewis, The Delightful Sausage, Andy Storey, Sophie Willan.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The hills, the packed pavements, every single room you enter making you feel clammy and sweaty. Oh, favourite things. The people, the fresh air, the countryside being so close, the architecture and the fact that every year they put up with self-involved, egomaniac show-offs.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Celebrating my birthday the Saturday after it finishes, then working on a sitcom script I’m trying to get made and thinking about next year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Also, it’ll be very close to September so I’ll have to start thinking about what I want for Christmas from my Mum.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR RUSS PEERS: ‘HEREDITARY PEERS’ HERE

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Tom Houghton: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Steve Ullathorne

Who? Tom Houghton
What? The Honorable
Where? Pleasance Dome, JackDome (venue 23)
When? 20:10

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

I don’t know if I could ever feel totally prepared. I also don’t know what this Fringe has in store for me. I know that the show is loads of fun and I’m having a blast writing it. Oh go on the, yes, I’m prepared. BRING IT ON! 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My dad has just been made a Lord and so by default I am now “The Honourable”. Yes, I know, ridiculous. I’ve been sacked from Weatherspoon’s twice! The show is me running through the (dis)honourable things I’ve done in my life, questioning what honour is and realising that sometimes it can be found in the most unlikely of places.

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

Being honest about myself and especially subject matter involving my family. Being brought up as the son of the Ex-chief of defence staff means I’ve seen and picked up a lot of things, some of which is very delicate subject matter.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Hopefully anyone. I try to make the un-relatable, relatable. There will be a lot of talk of living in historical palaces and having body guards while avoiding the IRA as a child, but at the core the issues are universal.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Troy Hawke is a fav. As is Gareth Waugh. Also very excited to see what Lauren Pattinson is doing after her incredible year. Go to all of these.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

The castle that sits above it like Harry Potter. 

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m flying straight to Sweden for another festival. Very, very excited about that one. No rest for the wicked ey?

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TOM HOUGHTON: ‘THE HONOURABLE’ HERE

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Lou Conran: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Aemen Sukker

Who? Lou Conran
What? At Least I’m Not Dog Poo Darren
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 15:20

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

Every Fringe is different. You can’t predict it, so I’m going to just live it day to day and see what happens. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

It’s about a man called Dog Poo Darren, who was the subject of a newspaper article in 2000 and it’s about how this article has influenced my life.

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

The fact that a massive curveball was thrown at me a few weeks before the Fringe starts and I’ve had to rewrite the second half of my show.

Who would most enjoy your show? 

Anyone with a sense of humour, who likes a good story.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Yes! Go see Sally Anne Hayward, Hayley Ellis, The Birthday Girls, Juliet Meyer, Suzi Ruffell, Angela Barnes, Evelyn Mok, and a million other fabulous women.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Salt n sauce. The vista. The sea. Everything about it.

What are your plans for after the festival?

Detox, get a colonic, buy vegetables, get a cuddle from my mum, and as ever, swear I’ll never do it again. Plan next years show.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR LOU CONRAN: ‘AT LEAST I’M NOT DOG POO DARREN’ HERE

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Adele Cliff: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© Rebecca Need-Menear

Who? Adele Cliff
What? Sheep
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue 88)
When? 16:10 

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

I think I am. I’ve visited the Fringe a lot of times doing compilation shows and seeing loads of comedy. I’m pleased that I no longer get lost between venues and I’ve figured out the correct combination of shoes to pack for most conditions, but I’ve thought I was prepared every time I’ve been up, and something has always surprised me. 

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

My show is about whether or not I am a sheep and about individuality, searching for friends, following and fitting in.

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

I’ve previewed my show all over the UK, including Glasgow, Brighton, Plymouth, Leicester, Birmingham, York, Norfolk and Merthyr Tydfil so the biggest obstacle has been working out how to get everywhere.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Nerds. Nerds are my favourite.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

My very funny friends Catherine Bohart (Immaculate) and Sarah Keyworth (Dark Horse) will be great, and anyone who likes a load of great jokes jam packed together should see The One Liner Show. I also highly recommend going to see a random play by an unknown company because it mixes up your day a bit, like a pallet cleanser!

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

I absolutely love the view from Arthur’s Seat (and the view of the potatoes at The Baked Potato Shop on Cockburn Street).

What are your plans for after the festival?

I’m going to make myself a nest from abandoned flyers, PVA glue and emergency rain ponchos, have a really lovely weekend of sleeping curled up in it and then I’ll catch up with all of the friends who believe I’ve vanished for the last few months. 

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ADELE CLIFF: ‘SHEEP’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018