Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“Developing the show proved an enjoyable challenge.”

WHO: Alexander S. Bermange, Composer and Lyricist

WHAT: “Boasting a West End Wilma Award, a Broadway World Award nomination and a raft of five-star reviews for its recent London run, this comedic musical revue reveals everything you could want to know about being a musical theatre performer… if only there were any who’d admit it. Covering the journey from wide-eyed drama student to brattish diva, or past-it chorus member, or bitter has-been (or never-was), this show lifts the lid on awful auditions, debilitating dance routines, mid-performance mishaps, and backstage backstabbing – plus those magical moments that make it all worthwhile.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – The Dairy Room (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 20:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be the first time that I am at the Fringe for its entire duration and that I am actively involved in overseeing a show (my previous visits having simply entailed popping along to shows in which my writing has been included… and taking in as many other productions as possible!).

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

The biggest thing has been preparing the show for Edinburgh. And, as part of that, there was the task of looking through the 1,300 applications for our four roles. And we are now able to announce that the illustrious line-up will comprise James Hume, Felix Mosse, Charlotte O’Rourke and Charlotte Anne Steen. Many London and nationwide audiences will be familiar with them from their performances in leading roles such as Javert in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, and Sherrie in Rock Of Ages, respectively. Understandably, we are delighted.

Tell us about your show.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical presents everything that you could possibly want to know about being a musical theatre performer – if only there were any who would dare to admit it!

When I started giving performances of my comic songs (after years of merely singing them on the radio, in my guise as comic songwriter/performer on Radio 4 and the World Service), I thought it would be fun to have a couple of West End musical theatre performers as special guests – and equally fun to write one or two numbers about life as a musical theatre performer for them to sing. The songs seemed to resonate both with the artists and with our audiences. At a similar time, when a theatre piece of mine was being performed on a cruise, I was struck by the frequency with which passengers would ply our cast with questions about their lives and careers, and seemed surprised to learn that – contrary to what the glorified, idealised version of the industry that songs such as There’s No Business Like Show Business might suggest – they were not chauffeured from front door to stage door, put up in five-star hotels around the country, and living a life of glitz and glamour. Far from it. And I wondered whether there might be an appetite for a show about musical theatre performers, following their lives and presenting their experiences “warts and all”, which could be revelatory to “lay people”, relatable to those in the industry, and hopefully amusing for both.

Developing the show proved an enjoyable challenge. Writing the lyrics gave me the opportunity to seek accounts from many performer friends of their most memorable (and funniest) real-life experiences that related to the subjects that I had in mind. The music, meanwhile, often provided me with a chance to indulge in my love of creating original melodies that are fully or partly comprised of snatches of famous songs thematically linked to my own. (For example, most of the opening number is made up of short musical quotations of well-known opening numbers.) What results is intended to be a show with humour and heart, which takes a sardonic yet affectionate look at “the business”, and celebrates the performers who audiences spend evenings in awe of yet whose lives they rarely gain a glimpse into from the moment the curtain falls.

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical’s premiere run took place in Spring 2018 at the Crazy Coqs at Zedel in London. In the light of the enthusiastic reactions that it garnered from public and press alike, the production was swiftly revived for an extended run there in Summer 2018, which in turn led to a West End Wilma Award (for Best Cabaret) and a Broadway World Award nomination (for Theatrical Event of the Year). On the back of this, I am very excited that it is now coming to the Fringe, with a phenomenal cast of leading West End musical theatre artists and with award-winning director/choreographer Chris Whittaker at the helm. As for where the show’s journey will take it from there, who knows…? Watch this space!

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

I like the idea of the Inspiration Machine, which is being launched at the Fringe this year and which selects a show at random for the user to consider seeing. Or, for the more risk-averse Fringe-goer, Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels will no doubt be worth a gander. I’m not sure it has much in common with I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical (apart from the word “musical” in the title), but I have to confess to being an ardent admirer of that dynamic duo and their genius creator Nick Park.

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+3 Interview: Troy Hawke: Tiles of the Unexpected!

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“Perth Fringe is a lot more laid back but tremendous fun and the Aussie crowds are fantastic. Plus you get to go to the beach and see kangaroos.”

WHO: Milo McCabe: Performer 

WHAT: “Following a sell-out run in 2018 in which he exposed bingo as the deadliest sport in the country, the empty Marxist promise of Poundland’s false advertising and Aldi being responsible for Princess Diana, 1930s throwback comedic investigator Troy Hawke returns, applying his scrabble mentalism to Kanye West, xenophobia and the ugly truth of IKEA’s link to the CIA. ‘Clever, clean, hilarious’ ***** (FringeFeed.com.au). ‘Near perfection… character comedy at it’s best’ ***** (TheNewCurrent.co.uk). Perth Fringe World 2019 Best Comedy nominee, Perth Fringe World 2019 Weekly Comedy Award winner.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No! This will be my fifth show as ‘Troy Hawke!’ I’ve been up to the fringe for about eight runs total. It’s a brilliant way to progress as a comic, both in the performing and writing each new show demands.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I performed in Australia for the first time earlier this year at Perth Fringe World and got nominated for the main comedy award there which was very exciting. Perth Fringe is a lot more laid back but tremendous fun and the Aussie crowds are fantastic. Plus you get to go to the beach and see kangaroos. The one area Perth fringe really puts Edinburgh to shame is the artists bar, ‘The Budgie Smuggler’. Huge outdoor turfed up the venue with a large stage and regular impromptu performances/dance-offs/karaoke/jelly wrestling and very cheap drinks.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show, it’s being directed by Paul Byrne (who has had his hand in many successful nominated fringe shows in the past). Other than work in progress performances, it’ll be having its premiere in Edinburgh. I’ve literally just finished touring my last show (I’m actually typing this in the Soho Theatre dressing room just before its final ever performance). After Edinburgh I’ll be touring this one and doing a couple of the Australian festivals with it too.

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

Tom Houghton, Mark Nelson, Elliot Steel, Gareth Waugh and Ryan Cullen will all have absolutely banging shows this year.

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+3 Interview: Joe Jacobs: Grimefulness

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“It’s mostly a steady stream of abject horror mixed with the joyful catharsis of titting about on a stage.”

WHO: Joe Jacobs, Performer 

WHAT: “Joe Jacobs is back like he left his car keys. Why? To swiftly shank away your negative thoughts. Mixing sardonic stand-up with live rap, reach a zen mood guaranteed to offend prudes. Repeat these positive mantras. ‘I have purpose’, ‘happiness is one drug deal away’, and ‘I will buy many tickets to Joe Jacobs’ Grimefulness show ASAP’. Namaste bumbaclarts. As seen/heard on BBC Three, Channel 4, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 1Xtra. ‘Mike Skinner with jokes’ **** (TheWeeReview.com). ‘Comedy Gold’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Rising star’ (Time Out). ‘Jew’ (Jewish Chronicle).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Up the Road (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been to Edinburgh before. I visited the Fringe a couple times before I did comedy.
Loved it. Was drunk by 11am, eating cholesterol and getting up to mischief.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

It’s mostly a steady stream of abject horror mixed with the joyful catharsis of titting about on a stage. The biggest thing has been getting back into making music after a bit of time away. I’ve been working on a brand new album and self-producing all the music videos myself. It was supposed to be out in time for this show, but you can’t rush these things. I reckon 2028 for the LP. However, I will be selling a small run of cassettes at the show though. An exclusive EP especially for the Fringe.

Tell us about your show.

My new show is Grimefulness. It’s stand up comedy with a sprinkling of rap. The show is produced by Rick Ross, who took a very hands-on approach during the embryonic stages. This year I’m talking toxic masculinity, finding serenity in a world gone shit and feminist-influenced videogame titles. There’s also a questionable routine about my good friend Peanut having a bad reaction to some seafood while engaging in a form of Jamaican patois.

I’m hopefully going to do a few more dates post August. Sign up to my mailing list for the latest Jacobs info.

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

I saw Mark Silcox’s show a couple years ago when I was feeling a bit down in the dumps. It managed to raise my spirits and inspired me to pick myself back up. Very funny too. Go and hang out with Mark a few times. Think he’s been doing the same show the last 4 years. You won’t regret it. He made me a lovely egg.

Off the top of my nut, some comedy people worth looking into are Trevor Lock, Phil Kay, Jamali Maddix, Phil Wang, Rob Auton, Lucy Pearman, Jayde Adams, Sean Morley, Phil Ellis, Helen Bauer and Alasdair Beckett-King.

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+3 Interview: Felix and The Scootermen: Self-Help Yourself Famous

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“Becoming a Papa … would be the obvious thing to write but it’s probably a draw between that and discovering that they’re making a new He-Man movie.”

WHO: Irwin Sparkes: Performer 

WHAT: “We’re granting you, the audience, access all areas! A-list, pop-star celebrities Felix Scoot and Lee Delamere welcome you behind the velvet rope to a self-help masterclass on how to become as famous as they are! Drawing on their sizeable years in the music biz with chart-topping band Felix & The Scootermen, they’ll teach you how to write the hits and play the fame game… and win… big! Are you prepared to find out if you can make it in the Fame Game? ‘A masterclass as great as 2008!’ (Chico).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Friesian (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 16:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It isn’t. Al and I are also in a band called The Hoosiers who will play Edinburgh whenever we can because the buildings look nice and the crowds are beautiful.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Becoming a Papa … would be the obvious thing to write but it’s probably a draw between that and discovering that they’re making a new He-Man movie

Tell us about your show.

Al and I originally thought about making a tongue-in-roof-of-mouth guide book, outlining the pitfalls and trampolines of fame for those getting signed by major record labels then we thought we’d add a large anecdotal element from our experiences, THEN we thought we’d make it a self-help seminar, THENNNNN we thought it’d be remiss not to play some songs in it. We needed people to produce, write and “be” in it and we only knew each other. “Invention is the child of necessity”.

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

Excellent wording. Alfie Brown, Spencer Jones and Phil Nichol. In any order.

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+3 Interview: Frisky & Mannish’s PopLab

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“Back in 2004 we were two of those wide-eyed fresh-livered first-year students who ran around the Royal Mile trying to figure out creative ways to get rid of our allocated flyers.”

WHO: Mannish: Performer 

WHAT: “Ten years since they burst onto the scene with their wildly popular brand of musical infotainment, Frisky & Mannish are officially Pop PhDs, fully qualified to conduct scientific analyses of the molecular intersections between every pop song ever. Shameless Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs since 2009. International jet-setters from Shepherd’s Bush Empire to Sydney Opera House. Adelaide and Brighton prize winners. Featured on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Three. And they have a podcast, obvs.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete (Venue 3) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

First time to Edinburgh? Don’t make us laugh! One or other of us has been to every Fringe for the last fifteen years. It’s a home away from home. We know some of the shopkeepers. It’s not unlikely one of our children may be named Edinburgh at some point. Back in 2004 we were two of those wide-eyed fresh-livered first-year students who ran around the Royal Mile trying to figure out creative ways to get rid of our allocated flyers. In 2009 our years of prep paid off when we had a bonafide Fringe hit with the first Frisky & Mannish show. Ten years on from that success, having enjoyed many sell-outs in between, we’re back at Assembly for a celebration of our decade of pop silliness. Nowhere else we’d rather be.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Frisky gave birth to a tiny bundle of joy who is the cutest ever. Can’t get bigger than that. Well, obviously in terms of size alone, you can in fact get way bigger than that, cos most things are bigger than tiny baby Frisky, but in terms of biggest things to happen to a person, that’s probably one of the biggest. Mannish has not given birth… yet. But he has been in the Caribbean for six months and came back with an actual bit of colour so that was no small miracle. This is the man of whom one Scottish reviewer applied the description “peely-wally pianist” back in 2009 – apparently peely-wally means “pale to the point of having a serious illness.”

Tell us about your show.

Our show this year is called PopLab and it’s set in Frisky & Mannish’s laboratory of pop music where we do experiments, create alloys, research vaccines, study fossils and generally pull apart the molecules of pop. The reason we’ve done this is because we need a paper-thin and flexible concept to string together all of our bonkers parodies of pop stars both classic and modern. All you need to do is remember the immortal words of Jennifer Aniston in that hair advert and “concentrate.” We will be arriving in Edinburgh from a preview tour that takes in London, Wales, Oxford, Manchester and even Australia, so we should be damn honed by the time you get it. And then afterwards we’re schlepping ourselves around the UK on a 22-date tour in September-October. We’re suckers for punishment, yes.

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

Nothing. There’s literally no other show worth spending money on. Even the free ones aren’t worth the time taken. No one has put work into it, there’s not an ounce of passion in anything – our show is the only one. And Christina Bianco’s is good too.

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+3 Interview: I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole!

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“It will be a nostalgic trip for adults and be a funny, scary and anarchic show for children.”

WHO: Complicité: Creators

WHAT: “The 1980s! Ska music pulses and young Ashley creates havoc by getting lost in a wild, imaginative world. When Jedi battles and forest adventures go too far, will their hard-working mum resort to the scariest threat of all? Accompanied by an original ska soundtrack and stunning video animation. A Complicité and Polka Theatre Co-Production. Directed by Complicité Associate Catherine Alexander. Based on the book by Nigel Gray and Michael Foreman. ‘A new Complicité show… is a ticket to another world’ (Time Out). ‘Arguably the country’s best theatre company’ (Times).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Beyond (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 13:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Complicité was last in Edinburgh with The Encounter, directed and performed by Simon McBurney, at the International Festival in 2015. We won the Herald Angel award that year. In 1985 we took More Bigger Snacks Now to the Fringe and won what was then called the Perrier Award for comedy. We were the first theatre production to win the award. We can’t wait to see what happens this year!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

We’ve been touring the globe with different shows playing at the likes of Sydney Festival, Dutch National Opera and the Barbican. But, the biggest thing we’ve done in terms of scale in the last 9 months was creating a dance piece with 200 self-identifying women in London and Hong Kong. ‘Everything that rises must dance’ was created by choreographer Sasha Milavic Davies and composer Lucy Railton. The piece is a celebration of female movement and the way women have moved throughout history.

Tell us about your show.

Complicité is an international theatre company based in London led by Artistic Director Simon McBurney. We create work that strengthens human interconnection, using the complicity between performer and audience that is at the heart of the theatrical experience. Complicité works across art forms, believing theatre, opera, film, installation and community art can all be sites for the collective act of imagination. I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole! is a co-production between Complicité and Polka Theatre (the UK’s leading children’s theatre) adapted and directed by long-term Complicité collaborator, Catherine Alexander. It will have its world premiere at Pleasance this summer.

I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole! by Nigel Gray and Michael Foreman is about a hard-working single mother from Barbados and her child (Ashley), who live in a flat in a grey British city. When the child’s imaginative play gets a bit too wild and their tidy home is trashed, Mum playfully threatens to take her child to Mrs Cole, a chaotic neighbour with a dirty house and lots of kids. Adapter and director Catherine Alexander says “In 2016 Complicité asked me if I had any projects brewing and I suggested creating a show for families with young children. As a happy single mum and a child of divorced parents, I wanted to make a show that celebrated solo parenting. This is a story about cultural difference and fear within communities and the transcendent power of children’s ability to imagine and play. I am setting the show in Coventry at the height of two-tone music: this was the soundtrack to my early teens and gave my generation a sense of hope that racism could be challenged. I especially loved The Specials, The Beat and Ian Dury and the Blockheads and eventually, I saw them all play live.

The actors, sound designer Ben Grant and I are writing songs for the piece that are influenced by these artists. This show will have the energy of a gig combined with visual storytelling and exquisite original animation by Amber Cooper Davies. It will be a nostalgic trip for adults and be a funny, scary and anarchic show for children.” The show will tour the UK in 2020 and 2021. Watch this space.

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

At Edinburgh International Festival we are also presenting a work-in-progress of The Happy Tragedy (15-17 Aug) of Being Woke by Clint Dyer, directed by Clint Dyer and Simon McBurney. It’ll be a rare opportunity to see our work in the development phase. It’s a killer theatre programme at the Pleasance this year. Alongside I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole! they have our co-production with The Wardrobe Ensemble The Last of the Pelican Daughters.

They also have Bryony Kimmings’ I’m a Phoenix Bitch, Rhum and Rhum and Clay’s The War of the Worlds and This Egg return with dressed. All brilliant shows! Elsewhere, we’re looking forward to Tim Crouch’s new play Total Immediate Collective Imminent Terrestrial Salvation and Forced Entertainment’s To Move in Time.

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+3 Interview: Children’s Shows (music, children’s)

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“We are always surprised when children leave their parents to come near the stage and jump to the beat of the music! They sing with us, it’s great!”

WHO: Floriane Palumbo: Tour Manager

WHAT: “It’s never too soon to break out the Clash, never too late to submerge in the Beatles. And in between, float on Air, glide with Hardy and strut the Strokes! Covers and compositions blend into a true rock music awakening, a live show for curious kids and nostalgic parents sure to have you all singing, dancing, even screaming… from ages five and up! Comète is a group of pop rock musicians used to the biggest stages, here to share with your youngsters their personal rock galaxy!”

WHERE: Assembly Checkpoint – Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 322) 

WHEN: 10:30 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is our first time with the company at Edinburgh, it’s so much fun for us to come and play a whole month in the same town and being part of this crazy festival, taking time to discover all that charming places, the special atmosphere of the town and the people from Edinburgh.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

It’s our first Fringe Festival and we are very excited about it!

We are always surprised when children leave their parents to come near the stage and jump to the beat of the music! They sing with us, it’s great!

When schools come and classes returned to their schools, the children sing «La musique Automatique», «Da da da», etc. The teachers then testified to the pleasure they had in finding and singing some of the songs in class, the pleasure they had in sharing them together. It’s so grateful for us to discover that we gave them a taste for music.

Tell us about your show.

Our show allows children to live a «real concert», so that they discover and experience pop rock music through experimentation rather than evocation. To show (by putting the children in visual contact with the different instruments that characterize rock music: the drums, the bass, the electric guitar, the keyboards), to hear, to feel the power of music.

So we thought up, developed and created a real «rock concert». Sharing with children the pleasure of rock songs that we listened to at their age, the ones that pushed us to become musicians and write our own compositions. The diversity of our musical tastes ends with a profusion of rock movements from the last 30 years, which children can discover without filters or boxes: pop music, electronics, hip hop, … Similarly, we have chosen different languages (French, English, German) to show how different instrumental and vocal sonorities are at the heart of rock. As for the musicians, they all sing (even the drummer), to let people know that anyone can become a musician, if they want it and work towards it. In addition, forming of a rock band is based on a sense of the collectivity.

From the first performances, in schools and anywhere public, children, parents and teachers have taken part in the concert by singing, clapping hands or jumping to the beat of the music. Or have listened intently during quieter songs. When classes returned to their schools, the children would sing «La musique Automatique», «Da da da», etc. The teachers then testified to the pleasure they had in finding and singing some of the songs in class, the pleasure they had in sharing them together. Mission Accomplished for us: we gave them a taste for music.

In addition, we have paid particular attention to fully respecting auditory and visual safety stan- dards. We have specifically employed a sound engineer who accompanies us and ensures com- pliance with the new standard of 85 decibels.

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

Our Belgian’s friends are taking place at Summerhall with FrontX: dance/theatre show about how atypical individuals transcend their difficulties through their artistic practice.

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+3 Interview: Daliso Chaponda: Blah Blah Blacklist

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“Last year, I did a tour show at the ‘Queen’s Hall’ but while one stage I accidentally called it the ‘King’s Hall’ which made the audience jeer in unison “Queen! Queen!””

WHO: Daliso Chaponda, Performer

WHAT: “Daliso shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent and has gone on to amass over 100 million YouTube views, write and star in his critically acclaimed Radio 4 show Citizen of Nowhere, and appear on The Apprentice: You’re Fired, News Quiz and The Now Show. In his hilarious, daring new show, Daliso looks at disgraced, blacklisted celebrities and historical figures we’re ashamed we once admired. There’s also the small matter of family member arrests, exploding buildings in his home country and the enterprising Malawian who tried to blackmail him.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wine Bar (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 18:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have performed in comedy clubs in Edinburgh over the years. I’ve done multiple festivals. I kissed someone backstage in a tent once. Also, last year, I did a tour show at the ‘Queen’s Hall’ but while one stage I accidentally called it the ‘King’s Hall’ which made the audience jeer in unison “Queen! Queen!”

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

While I was in Malawi, my home country, in the same day I had

1) a group of people interrupt my dinner to ask for an autograph and selfies
2) some people who hated me throw stones at a car I was in

I often am confused as to whether the people of Malawi love me or hate me.

Tell us about your show.

The show is called Blah Blah Blacklist. It is a show about the public figures who have been disgraced because of dumb tweets or criminality. It’s also about why those people were throwing stones at my car. I wrote it. I also rewrote it and will have rewritten it two more times before this Q&A goes to print.

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

After seeing me, my audience should buy another ticket and watch me again. Then, and only after watching my show twice, they should watch Maisie Adam, Adam Rowe, and Richard Herring.

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+3 Interview: Darius Davies: Persian of Interest

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“I am excited, raring to go, and yet still a bit nervous!”

WHO: Darius Davies: Performer

WHAT: “As seen on the BBC and Channel 4. Anglo-Iranian, English Comedian of the Year finalist 2017, Darius Davies returns with ‘one of the funniest, most thought-provoking stand-up shows this Fringe’ ***** (FringeFeed.com.au). This is a story about how easy it is to manipulate the media, troll men on Tinder, and get revenge against Ryanair by any means necessary. A show so explosive the powers that be don’t want you to see it. ‘Brilliant, hilarious, outstanding’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘A knockout sensation!’ **** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘Full of verve… style and energy’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Tron – Just the Tonic at The Tron (Venue 51) 

WHEN: 14:20 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No this will be my seventh Edinburgh Festival and my first show with Just The Tonic. I am excited, raring to go, and yet still a bit nervous!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

The biggest thing to have happened since last fringe was that I have moved back from New York to London. I loved New York but surprisingly in terms of comedy and career development I feel personally for me the UK was the right place to be. That being said my time in New York has certainly added another dimension to my comedy.

Tell us about your show.

This year’s show is called Persian Of Interest, which I wrote and directed, although I am also working with Carey Marx who’s just giving me some outside input and a fresh pair of eyes. I have previewed this show up and down the country and cannot wait to debut it at Edinburgh. After Edinburgh, I would like to tour it in the UK, and I am currently discussing getting it recorded for a streaming service so fingers crossed!

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

For a great late night show audience should check out Hate N Live 10.30pm Just The Tonic Big Cave. Four comedians “hate on” topics suggested by the audience over a variety of fast-paced rounds. This is high-energy, rock n roll comedy show!

I am also looking forward to seeing Leo Kearse: Transgressive, Ollie Horn: Pig in Japan and Mat Ewins (?) I think that’s his name I gigged with him once and he was really funny so I want to check his show out too!

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+3 Interview: Tom Houghton: That’s What I Go to School For

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“…performing in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Bahamas. Am I sounding smug yet?”

WHO: Tom Houghton: Performer 

WHAT: “Tom was sent to all-boys boarding school at age six. A world where ‘day kids’ are shunned and girls? None existent. But when, in his second last year the school decided to go co-ed, everything was to change. The total Fringe sell-out, star of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and ultra-privileged Tower of London resident, Tom Houghton lifts the controversial lid on the incubators responsible for producing many of our country’s leaders. With a little help from 00s pop sensation Busted. ***** (The New European), ***** (One4Review), **** (Daily Telegraph), **** (Chortle).”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – JackDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 20:10 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Oh no. I’m an old mule now. I did 9 with The Noise Next Door and now this is my 3rdsolo one. I slip back into this month like it’s my favourite pair of slippers.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I’ve had a few big ones. Comedy central roast battle against my best matey Lauren Pattinson was super fun. But then so has performing in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Bahamas. Am I sounding smug yet?

Tell us about your show.

Its written, directed and performed by me. It’s about the public school system, how it effects the kids who go to them and how they then go on to dominate the power jobs of our counties. I believe the public schools are the beginning of the split in our society. If we are aiming for equality then there needs to be a discussion as to what role they have in our future.

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

As much variety as possible. I have friends I could suggest. Gareth Waugh, Ryan Cullen, Elliot Steel. But go and see a play, some dance, street performers. Then go home and have a long look in the mirror and question your own reality.

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