Jake Lambert: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018
Who? Jake Lambert
What? Little Lost Lad
Where? Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)
When? 18:00
Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?
Absolutely not (nothing like a bit of confidence early on) but it’s my debut hour and I have no idea what to expect. The Fringe is very much its own beast, during my first ever experience there it took me seven days to figure out how to perform to an Edinburgh crowd, they don’t just want jokes for the sake of jokes, they want context, oh and to know you’ve suffered, luckily for them this year I had my car stolen and then someone shot my cat, so they should have plenty to laugh at.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
It’s basically about the first time I found myself living on my own and the ups and downs of that, the ups were feeling like Kevin McCallister, the downside was feeling a little too like him when my house got burgled. I also talk about being an uncle, the fact that I cut my own hair, ghosts, and how to make the perfect cup of tea.
© Aeman @ Jiksaw
What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
The biggest obstacle was knowing which material to put in this show and what to leave for the next one, I mean writing that does really make it sound like I had no obstacle at all, that’s like Bill Gates complaining he doesn’t know what to spend all his money on this year.
Although, up until now I’ve only ever been aiming to make my sets as funny as possible, but to have an hour means I can also try and tell a story and use the medium to talk about exactly what I want to talk about. (I preferred the first part of this answer when I sounded less pretentious).
Who would most enjoy your show?
Me. I’m aware that’s a ridiculous answer, but I have always tried to be the comedian I would most like to see, and to make my show one I would want to see. Of course if I did go and see a comedian and they were doing my show and all my jokes I’d be livid, so maybe not. I realise I’m supposed to be selling tickets, so shall I just put everyone? Yeah I’ll do that; Everyone.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
As I’m answering pre-Fringe I don’t know for sure, but I’ll take a punt and say:
Dave Chapelle: Rib Tickler – Non-stop gags and silly wordplay from America’s funny man.
Tim Vine: I Heard It Through The Tim Vine – an incredibly insightful take on Russia’s influence on the 2016 US election.
Dylan Moran: Dy doo ran ran ran, Dy doo Moran – An hour of non-stop puns and wordplay (Although I’ve heard it’s currently running at 45 mins).
What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?
I feel like Edinburgh is what Americans probably picture when they think of London, it’s beautiful, and such an amazing place to walk around, even at 6am after you got a bit too carried away in a bar for the 18th time that month.
What are your plans for after the festival?
Depending on how it goes I’ll either go home and put the show poster up in the bathroom, or if it goes terribly I’ll shred all the remaining flyers and never speak of it again.
I actually have a gig the day I get back, and I’m very much regretting that decision already. After that I’m going to Spain with my girlfriend (that sounds nice and relaxing, Jake, you’ll get to unwind and relax)… oh and her mum, who lives in Australia who I haven’t actually met yet… uh oh, sounds like someone’s going to be getting some material for next year’s show.
