The Edinburgh Interviews

Suzi Ruffell: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

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© 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

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© 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

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© 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

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