“I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired.”
WHO: Nick Shanman
WHAT: “In 2018, Nick Shanman hired a bunch of his idiot friends to make a ridiculous YouTube pilot… Today, IMBM has over 500 million views worldwide and has found a home performing live monthly shows in NYC. Our shows are a series of dark, weird, hilarious sketches ranging from Disney parodies to historical musicals, to some slightly controversial topics you’ve always wanted to address. Every show is brand new, completely original, and absolutely absurd. Ready to laugh your ass off?”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Other Yin (Venue 24)
WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes! It’s actually my first time in the UK. I know, I’m a loser American. I’ve been around Europe a bit but for some reason the timing just hadn’t worked out yet. Then after performing in NYC for 2 years… a friend tipped us off on how incredible the EdFringe was, and alas, here we are! I actually studied business before pursuing writing / acting so I really knew nothing about the festival. But I realized just how special it was when I told our cast we were going. They were in complete shock. I think 1 or 2 actually cried… so they were immediately fired. Kidding. We’re an emotional group. From the application process, to attending webinars, to speaking with friends of friends who have attended the festival, it seems like an absolutely magical experience. Not only to showcase talent, but to witness talent, to meet (and drink) with likeminded individuals, and to be part of once-in-a-lifetime artistic community. We can’t wait to be there!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Oh god. We’ve learned a lot through a series of terrible mistakes. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to stop approaching problems as stresses, but as challenges to overcome and conquer. You are ALWAYS going to have obstacles in your way, shifting your mindset to tackling them as opposed to dreading them is a game changer. A more specific thing I’ve learned is that you can make reallllyyyy dark jokes as long as they are smartly written and come from a sincere place. There’s nothing better than starting our Anne Frank musical sketch, hearing people yell “Oh no!” in the audience, then seeing them tearfully clap at the end. Comedy is about risk. And trust us, it takes a lot of clunkers to strike gold. Last thing I’ve learned is to stop drinking once you’re properly inebriated. This one I haven’t absorbed yet.
Tell us about your show.
Our show is called I Mostly Blame Myself. It’s a series of insane, absurd, hilarious comedic sketches and musicals. Imagine SNL, but on cocaine. I’m the head writer but a few members of our cast write as well! I produce the show alongside my associate producer Kaya Simmons whom I met at university in Boston. He used to pay me in whiskey to write short films for his reel. Needless to say, we got along pretty quickly.
IMBM actually started as a YouTube pilot I was hoping to get picked up for a streaming service, but once I released it, the pandemic happened. When the world opened back up again a lot of theatres in NYC were struggling to get acts fast, so I pitched the show as a live sketch show as opposed to a film. I lied and said my entire cast was in NYC (they were all in LA) so we had to find people fast. Kaya and I linked up again, and we formed a team of rag tag goofballs that all bring something different to the table.
This production premiered at our first touring show in Boston, Massachusetts, and now is going to Edinburgh! Afterwards we hope to hit Madrid in the new year, fingers crossed!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
We love crazy and weird, and the first show that caught our eye was ’44 Sex Acts in One Week. ‘ Mostly because that sounds impossible. I mean… yeah no I definitely couldn’t do that. But it sounds unbelievably funny and absurd! This is what the festival is all about, seeing things that you have NEVER seen before.
Another one, and very very different, is ‘Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders.’ They had us at singing owls. We love some family-friendly content (since we can’t seem to write it ourselves) and we also adore musicals. The story follows an owl made of wood who just wants to fly with his friends. Are you crying yet? I know I am. I’m not that sensitive I swear.
LEAVE ME ALONE!
Lastly, Timothy Booth’s Manhole caught our attention right away, for obvious reasons. Not only has this American comedian placed in the top three of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, but he also speaks about his crevices with unmatched vigor. Watch the manhole, learn about the manhole, dive deep… into the manhole.
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 