“Having no Fringe to aim for allowed me to properly relax and removed a lot of anxiety from the year. But it also stopped my momentum.”
WHO: Ali Brice
WHAT: “After an enforced sabbatical, Eric Meat is back at the office he calls home. Between water cooler gossip, trips to Honkers (everyone’s favourite post-work pub) and a looming appraisal, his loyalty faces its final test. Hilarious, heartfelt and absurd, it’s a story of loyalty, nostalgia and knowing when to let go. How can you come back if you never leave? Best Show Nominee Comedians’ Choice Awards 2022. ‘Ali Brice is funny… a master of the absurd’ **** (List). ‘Comic genius’ **** (Skinny). ‘Side-splittingly comical’ ***** (TheUpcoming.co.uk). ‘Hilarious, unique… surprisingly moving’ **** (Chortle.co.uk).”
WHERE: Room 1 at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Carbon (Venue 180)
WHEN: 17:30 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This will be my 13th Fringe. I first went in 2010 and became immediately addicted. Apart from the two COVID years, the only Fringe I have missed since 2010 was 2024. And that is because I wanted to have a holiday with my girlfriend. Maybe I will have another holiday in 2038.
The Fringe is the best place in the world for comedians and comedy fans alike. There is no way to describe it. If you like comedy and haven’t been: GO! But be prepared to spend every August in Edinburgh for the rest of your life (unless you go on holiday!)
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Having taken the 2024 Fringe off, I have learned that not having a Fringe to aim for really threw my year out of whack. The Fringe is such a Big Thing and really dominates any year I’m doing it and forces me to write as there is an end goal.
Having no Fringe to aim for allowed me to properly relax and removed a lot of anxiety from the year. But it also stopped my momentum. Now I’m finding it very hard to get up to full capacity and really hit my stride. But I’m getting there!
Tell us about your show.
My show is very silly. And very loose. And that is exactly how I like it.
I play a Northern man called Eric Meat. In the show he is excited as he is at the end of a sabbatical and returning to work the next day. Before he returns to work, he learns that his job doesn’t exist anymore and that he has to apply for a new position and is up against 3 of his colleagues.
It is largely a celebration of work. Which might seem odd. People generally don’t like or celebrate their jobs. I don’t like my day job – but I need it. For the money. But I do like my office and really like my colleagues.
Eric takes this to the extreme.
I also love talking to the crowd. I get distracted very easily and love going off piste and seeing what happens in the room. Sometimes I abandon the show entirely. They’re my favourite shows.
While I love fully polished, well-rehearsed shows. A lot of them follow the same formula. BORING!
Come to my show and see some genuine jeopardy.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Sam Nicoresti – she’s always been hilarious but over the last couple of years has become increasingly incredible. Do not miss.
Pat Cahill – the funniest bones in the business.
Joz Norris – a true artist and lovely human.
Lucy Pearman – always a good time.
Andy Barr – one of the best AB comedians in the biz.
Adam Larter – bringing back his ‘Can You Put A Tail On It?’ for, I think, the fourteenth or fifteenth time. Always flies under the radar, this could be the breakthrough year.
Luke Rollason – they’ve won a BAFTA (and I was in the film that won it, and will bask in the reflected glory for the rest of my life) and are brilliant.
Sooz Kempner – believe the hype.
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