EdFringe Talk: Robin Ince – MELONS: A Love Letter to Stand-Up Comedy

Posted in EdFestivals 2023, Written Interviews by

“It was in 2004 that, while punching a melon, I realised the direction I should be going in and that has led to a Rose d’or, a Sony Gold AND two wins on Pointless Celebrities.”

WHO: Robin Ince

WHAT: “Robin’s first solo show was a disaster, but a disaster that ended with him punching a melon with Vernon Kay’s face drawn on it before singing Mustang Sally (still no cruise ship bookings). Despite this, actually, because of this, Robin ended up playing to arenas with Professor Brian Cox. This is the story of how he fell in love with comedy thanks to The Goodies and Rik Mayall and how after 30 years he started to find his voice. Winner: Rose D’Or, Sony Gold and The Arthur C Clarke Award.”

WHERE: The Stand’s New Town Theatre – Studio (Venue 7) 

WHEN: 20:35 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is 19 years since my first solo show and 35 years since my first visit.

When I was 18 years old there was nothing more exciting in the world.

When I was 22, there was nothing more terrifying than being part of a comedy competition (So You Think You’re Funny, I came second)

I have broken my arm here, wept in churchyards and had some of the greatest nights of my life. It was in 2004 that, while punching a melon, I realised the direction I should be going in and that has led to a Rose d’or, a Sony Gold AND two wins on Pointless Celebrities.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Every year I learn a little bit more about how to avoid the negative critical voices and I’ve also learned to write better poetry (still needs some work) – I also continue to learn that there is far more to be gained from punching up rather than down or even not punching at all (unless you are punching a melon – I have learnt not to punch honeydew as they are explosive, I stick to Galia melons) – I have also learned out bees with exploding genitalia and have come one step closer to understanding some of the things Brian Cox says about the event horizon having spent a year touring with him.

Tell us about your show.

I have been in love with comedy since I was small – first it was The Goodies, then it was Alexei Sayle and Rik Mayall – this show is about why I love stand up and what I think it is capable of doing. There is nothing better than someone feeling less alone after they have heard someone on a stage express the thoughts they might be hiding in their head. The show starts here, though it was inspired by the lecture I gave in memory of Linda Smith at the University of Kent in 2021.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Don’t just stick to one venue, don’t just stick to people you know. get to the free fringe shows, go see something that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea.

I haven’t checked out too much of what is on yet but do go and see Laura Davis because she always says something that will fascinate you, Lulu Popplewell as she asked the front row the most nerve jangling question I have seen, Paul Zenon because he is perpetually inventive, The dark Room for Kids because John Robertson is a great showman, Circus Sonas because the kids will enjoy its mighty energy, Eleanor Morton because she is always funny, Gavin Webster because he deserves to be revered.

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