“I had no idea that I would return to Edinburgh again and again.”
WHO: Ketch
WHAT: “Japan’s best silent comedian is back! And you’re invited to his pet Max’s birthday party… After 15 years at the Fringe with the award-winning duo Gamarjobat, Ketch returns with his explosive new solo comedy show. He needs your help to throw the best birthday party ever, jam-packed full of juggling, clowning, music, magic and mime. Don’t miss this heartwarming and hilarious hour of slick, silent and silly slapstick for all ages.”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Doonstairs (Venue 24)
WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes, this is my first time bringing a full solo show, but I’ve been coming to Edinburgh for many years, both as part of Gamarjobat(Japanese silent comedy duo) and privately.
Summer In 1992, while I was a student in London, I first visited Edinburgh. I travelled around England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland on my Honda 70cc motorbike. It was freezing the whole time. At that time, I had no idea that I would return to Edinburgh again and again.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
When I was younger I never liked teaching, I preferred to do shows when I had the time to teach. I now realize that I enjoy teaching more than I did before. Especially after giving a 30-hour physical comedy workshop in Italy in May, I thought, “I want to do it again! Someone organize one for me!” Because up until then, I had only done 7-hour workshops and the results were limited.
Tell us about your show.
I created this show in Fukuoka, Japan during the COVID-19 period in 2021. Since then, Ketch Sketch has toured nine cities in Japan, with five more due to be shown in October.
At the beginning, there were a lot of “COVID-19 gags” that worked, but now they’ve mostly disappeared.
A Japanese entertainment company IMPRESARIO is presenting my show. I met the boss of IMPRESARIO, when he was 20 years old. Now he has his own company and is doing well.
I met my co-producer in Melbourne, Australia in 2020. She was my Airbnb host, but she was also a physical theatre producer!! What a coincidence!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Trygve Wakenshaw. My co-producer introduces us online. I’ve only seen his show on video, but it was amazing! I’ll definitely watch his show. (I just texted him and found out that he doesn’t do twitter.)
Sometimes I dream of doing a show like his. No words, no props, no costume changes, no skill showing-off, just me, my body and the audience’s imagination. But then I think oh no! I can’t do it. It’s too scary for me! And I can’t help showing off my skills!
Paul Currie. I’ve seen his last year’s show and street show. They are both silly and funny! Especially last year’s show was non-verbal, so I understood everything. I do both theatre and street show just like him. They are two very different things but he does both really well.
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!
INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!
Get Your Coats On 