Tony Cowards: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019
Who? Tony Cowards
What? Stepdad Jokes
Where? Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Bottle Room (Venue 288)
When? 20:50
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
A heady cocktail of excitement, trepidation and expectation. At the moment all possibilities for the Fringe are available, success, failure or somewhere in between. I’m currently experiencing Schrödinger’s Fringe and on the 1st August we get to open the box and see what state the cat is in (I’m starting to regret this analogy, I’d like to point out that my show definitely doesn’t feature any dead cats).
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
This year’s show is called Stepdad Jokes and it’s a mixture of silly jokes, gags and puns along with a few longer stories about family life and my experiences of being a stepdad.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
Finding the time, in amongst a hectic household, to write it and try it out. It’s not easy to find a quiet place to write or rehearse in a home with four kids, three cats and a dog.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
I guess I’m much more relaxed about it and am able to enjoy it more than in previous years. As you get older you become much less worried about getting ‘buzz’ or attention and become more interested in having fun and creating an enjoyable show for your audiences.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
The Kagools are always one of my favourite festival acts, I love their mixture of clowning and general silliness. Their shows are great for anyone who loves pure joy and daftness. Also Aidan Goatley is a ray of sunshine in an overcast world, his shows are always funny and uplifting and I can’t wait to see his new show, Happy Britain Part 1.
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
On a beach in Cuba, drinking Mojitos, whilst everyone else is panicking about their shows. Although, in all honesty I’d probably be envious of all my comedy peers heading North with their bags packed full of hopes and dreams, scribbled notes and lofty ambitions.