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Dave Chawner is an immediately likeable stand up performer, perhaps due to the unrelenting honesty he presents to audiences at his shows, disarming himself entirely and in turn making himself vulnerable on stage. This openness allows Chawner to explore seemingly taboo topics that happen to be close to his heart, such as the issue of anorexia in men, and his latest Edinburgh show, which explores issues associated with circumcision, sex and relationships.
To learn more about the man behind the comedy, I asked Dave these seven questions…
1) How do you use comedy to deal with difficult topics?
Comedy is a great tool to engage people; when an audience is laughing they are listening; when they are listening they can learn. I want to use that in order to get people talking about more taboo topics. (…and also make a knob of myself!)
2) When did you last surprise yourself?
This morning! I got bored last week and renamed the WiFi in our flat KILL EVERYONE, so our neighbour would stop nicking our connection… I forgot this and got a nasty shock when I searched for networks on my laptop.
3) What’s your favourite holiday?
I don’t really find relaxing relaxing! I don’t want a hotel and pool, I prefer snooker. My favourite holiday has adventure, fun and a lot of silliness. My favourite holiday is the real life version of Pirates Of The Caribbean (but without the pirates…so just really The Caribbean).
4) How do you think the universe began?
We now know that a lot of genius’ were dyslexic. So, I can’t help but think the Universe wasn’t created by a God, but by a Dog. That’d explain why the Universe is expanding – we’re playing fetch.
5) What is your favourite past experience at the Edinburgh Festival?
The first year I went I saw a show where a bloke talked in Spanish for 60 minutes, pretending to be a worm by the use of a sock filled with plastic bags attached to his chin. There were four of us in the audience and I have never had a better time before or since.
6) Is what you have enough for you right now?
Right now I have 7% battery – so no.
7) What gives you hope for the future?
Despair of the past.
DAVE CHAWNER BRINGS HIS SHOW ‘CIRCUMCISION’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL