EdFringe Talk: John Franklin: My Dad’s Advice

Posted in EdFestivals 2023, Written Interviews by

“I was battling a hangover (and losing that battle, I should add) when an advertisement for Fringe popped up on my Instagram. I said to myself, “F*** it.”

WHO: John Franklin

WHAT: “A beautifully hilarious stand-up about the memories of his dad’s best stories, Netflix star John Franklin intends to keep you laughing as he weaves tales of his father’s life advice into his own experiences. Every topic your dad gave you advice about, John will talk about from the scope of his own dad. From advice on girls to how become a man, John’s stories will have you laughing and remembering the stories your own father used to tell you. You’ll be transported to a time when the funniest person you knew was your old man.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Sprout Studio (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 20:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first time in Edinburgh! I love it here. The culture is amazing and fascinating; the people are just wonderful. I will say that the city being so hilly is very helpful to toning my legs all day. I’ve always had a dream to perform at Edinburgh Fringe. There’s something so magical about it. It’s like the city turns into Disney World for performers for a whole month!

I just put out my first comedy special this year, and I wanted to do something special for my next big comedy venture. I was battling a hangover (and losing that battle, I should add) when an advertisement for Fringe popped up on my Instagram. I said to myself, “F*** it. If there was ever a time to do it, it’s now.” I’ve been in the process of writing a pilot script about my dad and I, so I decided to take that pilot and rewrite it into a storytelling standup special. That’s how I got here! The thing that makes a festival like this so great is meeting people. I’ve made friends with fellow performers from the UK, various places in the USA, and all around the world. That wouldn’t have happened if not for Fringe!

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

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that other people’s success is not your failure. In the era of social media, it’s so easy to compare yourself to your peers. If they do something big, you feel like a lesser person.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Your train is on your track, and every train around you is on their own track. Some trains are moving faster than others, but it’s not a race. You’ll reach the destination of success that life intends for you, in the time that it takes to get there. Enjoy that ride. Embrace it. Because at the end of the day you only have so much time for these awesome experiences.

At this point in my career, I’m having fun. I’m not putting pressure on myself or anyone around me to get to the next step. I’m in Edinburgh performing a new hour set! That’s unbelievable! Do I feel pressure sometimes? Of course. I wouldn’t be human if I never felt pressure. But I am enjoying my life so much more by putting my mental health first and just embracing my first Fringe!

Tell us about your show.

My show, My Dad’s Advice, is written, produced, and performed by me. The show is debuting in Edinburgh, but I did three closed-door runs for some comedians in New Jersey to refine it before coming. The show is all about the things my dad taught me when I was a kid, and how he believed everything he said to be fact. Dads are seemingly all the same in that regard. Every person that has seen the show has come up to me and told me a story about the stories/lies/advice their dad used to tell them! It really has started to build a fun community. My goal after Edinburgh is to take this show on a tour of the Fringe Festivals in the United States. I’ve only performed the show in small rooms to create a cool, intimate, vibe. I want the audience to feel like they’re just at a friend’s house listening to stories. I want to take that vibe all over the USA (maybe even the world) and get back to writing the pilot with it.

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

I hope there isn’t a word count on this question! I’ve seen so many amazing shows so far, and I’ll happily tell you about a bunch of them.

Eigg the Musical: Before we even talk about how great this show is, I just have to mention that the cast is full of wonderful people. So down to earth and so talented! The show itself is AMAZING. The music is awesome, the story is lovely, and it’s chock full of humor, love, and strength. If you want to see a wonderful musical based on a true story, this is the one!

Mark Pleases You: This is the most chaotic one man show in the best way possible. Mark Vigeant is truly a master at the art of a one man show. It’s so relatable to all of us that went through that AWFUL teenage awkward phase. Mark’s energy fills the room and creates an amazing atmosphere.

Abbey’s Box: This one woman show is so relatable and honest. For anyone who dated during the pandemic, this is for you. It’s empowering to the introverts, and it teaches us to remember that all human beings are different. We handle things in different ways, and we have different opinions on things. This show is one of my favorites of the Fringe!

The Extras Strike Back: It’s Star Wars and it’s HILARIOUS. The whole show is a musical from the perspective of background characters from the beloved Star Wars series. I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time, and not to mention how catchy the music is! I’ve had the song about Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma stuck in my head since I left. Just BRILLIANT. Can’t say enough good things, just go SEE IT!

I’m Sexy and I Know It: Anna Friend is a brilliant writer, and it shines in this show. The beginning will have you rolling on the floor laughing, but by the end it’ll remind you to love yourself and embrace the change in your life. Anna has told me she intends it to be a comedy, but it’s so much more than that. You will leave this show smiling and reminding yourself that, even though you’ve been hard on yourself, you have to love yourself!

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!