“I haven’t before or since been in an environment where so many different styles of live performance could all be found in the same city and at the same time.”
WHO: Ikechukwu Ufomadu
WHAT: “Winner: Vulture’s Comedians You Should Know (2022). Winner: Drama Desk Award (2018). The Emmy-nominated actor and ‘gentleman-scholar of alt-comedy’ (Vulture, New York Magazine) makes his Edinburgh debut with a waggishly absurd exploration of such vital topics as ‘The Alphabet’ and ‘Counting’. He can be seen in the Oscar-nominated film, Judas and the Black Messiah, Los Espookys (HBO), Three Busy Debras, Joe Pera Talks To You (Adult Swim) and has written for Ziwe (Showtime). ‘You don’t want to miss him before he becomes a household name’ (Time Out New York).”
WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two (Venue 33)
WHEN: 17:40 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
In 2015, I was cast in this very trippy, work-in-progress, comedy-variety show that did a run in Edinburgh as part of its development. The city and the festival made such an impression on me that I’ve always wanted to return with a show of my own. Now, eight years later, I’m thrilled to be able to check that off my life’s to-do list. I haven’t before or since been in an environment where so many different styles of live performance could all be found in the same city and at the same time. While I’m very much looking forward to doing my show, I’m just as excited to see and be inspired by projects I wouldn’t normally come across in my corner of the comedy world in New York.
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 my brain is like a sieve, unable to hold onto lessons I’ve learned for any significant amount of time. To work around this, I must constantly put myself in situations that force me to re-learn the lessons I swore I’d never forget. This is a lesson I learned in the course of answering this very question, as my first pass at it consisted of a list of lessons that were technically learned in 2022, but only because I had forgotten them at some point prior to 2022.
Tell us about your show.
“Amusements by Ikechukwu Ufomadu” is crafted from bits and material I’ve been working on at comedy shows over the past several years. This run in Edinburgh is being produced by Stamptown, helmed by Zach Zucker, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with them. Since venues began opening up post-quarantine, Stamptown’s variety show has been one of the more consistent shows I’ve performed on, both in New York and LA, and it’s what’s colloquially referred to as “a blast”. I can always count on being completely surprised (in a good way) by some act or bit at some point during the show. Post-Fringe,
“Amusements” will have an off-Broadway run at Playwrights Horizons that kicks off in November.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I heartily recommend seeing Larry Owens in Larry Owens Live. His vocal chops combined with his comic sensibilities will leave you both in awe and in stitches, which is a rare combination of feelings to feel at one show. I can’t even fully pin down what makes Ruby McCollister so entertaining to watch, but I always find myself in a haze of delight after seeing her perform, so I’d advise the reader to see her show Tragedy. Martin Urbano’s Apology Comeback Show is another must-see. Such a razor sharp comic mind that’s able to make jokes in territory that would eat other comics alive. I always bust a gut when I see Patti Harrison work, so if you need a guaranteed gut-busting, make your way there. I’m also quite intrigued by Moses Storm’s Perfect Cult which promises to create, with the audience, a new cult nightly. I’m always a fan of projects that feel like a high-concept gambit.
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