EdFringe Talk: 6 Steps To Success From The “Award Winning” Dave Chawner

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“I can’t believe it’s nearly Fringemass again!”

WHO: Dave Chawner

WHAT: “Last year Dave won an award who’s title felt like a back-handed compliment. That led to a crisis of confidence and an exploration of what success really looks like. As seen on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. As heard on Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 4.”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House – The Loft (Venue 170) 

WHEN: 18:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is the 11th time I’ve been to The Fringe, my 9th full run and my 7th solo show. Still, I don’t feel ready! How is that even possible? I’ve got to the age where I am finding myself saying, “Where has the time gone?” without any sense of irony, but I can’t believe it’s nearly Fringemass again! And, what is worse, I guarantee you, in a month, I will be lamenting, saying, ‘Ah, I can’t believe it’s over’.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

This show is about imposter syndrome, getting older and what ‘success’ means. I think as more time goes on, I think I know less. So, I think that would be my lesson is that I am less sure of stuff since 2023 (and beyond in fairness).

Tell us about your show.

Oh, I think I jumped the gun there a bit – I’ve already told you about it! But I can chat some more. Basically, this year’s show is actually about last year’s show. I won an award whose title felt a bit like a backhanded compliment. That led to a crisis of confidence, and in that period, it made me consider and question, “What really is success”? After all, it means different things to different people. And, often, you can accidentally adopt other people’s definition of success, which means you end up chasing a dream you don’t even want. I love an underdog story, and The Fringe is the perfect place to showcase an idea about imposter syndrome.

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

I think the beauty of The Fringe is that there’s so much stuff. My biggest piece of advice would be to go and see something you never normally would. Robyn Perkin does a great science-based stand-up show called ‘Comedy For the Curious’. ‘Boardgame Smackdown’ is a Fringe must, hosted by comedian James Kook, is a comedy panel show where comedians play board games live. I always try to see Robbotron Dark Room. Personally, I think ‘Stand Up Philosophy’ is a brilliant, unique and fun show with the ace Alex James Farrow; anyone interested in politics should see Ashley Haden’s ‘Political And Correct’. If you want something a little more ‘x-rated’, there’s Nik Coppin Shagger’s (a show all about shagging!), yet on the completely other end of the spectrum, Donald Vaughan does an amazing show for all ages called Science Magic. For any comic book nerds, there is Rik Carranza’s show ‘Marvel vs DC’ and Juliette Burton’s show ‘Going Rogue’, and then there is Steffan Alun’s show “Free Stand-Up, but at What Cost”. Steffan Alun’s ‘About Identity’, which I will be going to see, and of course, not forgetting, is one of my favourite titles in The Fringe Richy Wright’s show ‘Married At First Wright’.

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