“I’m so excited to come back now, fully formed and ready to go! And… with some new, very tight leather trousers.”
WHO: Mark T Cox
WHAT: “An Irish Gay Guide to Romance. A juicy hour of comedy, filth and pop bangers from very busy, very famous, international cabaret star Mark T Cox. If you enjoy Irish charm. If you enjoy naughty queer comedy. If you enjoy looking at a handsome man with a moustache and leather trousers… You will enjoy this show. ‘Bit rude for my liking’ (Mark’s mam).”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Bothie (Venue 24)
WHEN: 22:40 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I dipped my little toes into Edinburgh back in 2019. I came for one week, took part in a few casual shows as part of the free fringe, and was just overwhelmed and mesmerised by the whole thing. It was so inspiring. I remember seeing fab shows from people like Reuben Kaye, Harry Clayton-Wright, and Frisky and Mannish, and I was determined to be there the following year and make myself seen.
I then scurried back to London and started getting my plans in order for the 2020 festival. I wrote a very silly and hilarious show and got accepted to a very nice venue. But… then the world collapsed and sadly it wasn’t meant to be.
I’m so excited to come back now, fully formed and ready to go! And… with some new, very tight leather trousers.
And to be VERY honest, I hadn’t a clue what I was doing back in 2020. Lol. Since then, I’ve had some really excellent years working on the comedy and cabaret scene in London and abroad. It feels like the right time to tackle Edinburgh.
He’s raring to go!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I’ve been so lucky to work all over the place in 2023. I’ve been doing shows across the world, cabaret lounges in Brussels, queer bars in Tokyo, festivals in Ireland… and my beloved dingy basements in East London.
I’ve found really nice balance between comedy and cabaret in the past year, landing on a performance style I think is really unique. I’m not always entirely sure what I’m doing, or how I’m doing it, but people seem to love it, so let’s not question it.
Since 2023, I’ve had to learn to adapt and flex to so many bizarre performance situations – performing for international crowds who often haven’t a clue about my little Irish humour, performing for very serious corporate delegations and government events, and in every physical space imaginable.
It’s all a struggle and headache, but makes you very good at throwing the worries away and just adapting to whats in front of you. I think this really plays into my comedy and hosting style – I’ve faced every interruption and distraction possible. He’s ready for anything at this stage.
Tell us about your show.
My show is called Paddy Daddy. A whistle stop tour of my many (MANY) homosexual affairs in the west of Ireland.
A blow by blow account.
Written by me, Mark T Cox. Produced by me, Mark T Cox. Directed, curated, marketed, performed and adored by me, Mark T Cox.
I’m a one-man production house. Which honestly is a dream. I love making things happen and being involved in ever little detail. Now, many many people have warned me it’s impossible to do it all, but I’m a stubborn gay man. So I’m here to prove them wrong.
(I may have a very different view on this by the end of August, lol).
It’s a one-man comedy show, with some lovely surprises of piano, live singing, nostalgic pop songs and some charming and heartbreaking original songs. It’s a lot to squeeze into one hour!
It’s a blend of scripted theatre, live comedy and cabaret hosting. The show looks at queer life in the countryside, the struggles and inventiveness of the rural gays. It’s hilarious, and devastating. I’m very proud of it.
You’ll love it.
Edinburgh will be first proper run of PADDY DADDY. We’ve had a few previews in London, but it’s going to be fab to get it settled on a stage for a full month, before HOPEFULLY heading off on a UK and Irish tour in 2025.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m huge fan of the queers and the girlies! And there are millions to choose from.
Shane Daniel Byrne is coming over from Dublin with his comedy show ‘Trouble Denim’. Shane is ALL OVER the comedy scene and TV in Ireland. It’s an absolute joy to see Irish stars come thrive here in the UK.
Sinead O’Brien of Wandering Stories / Fair Play Productions is back with a new show called ‘Hero/Banlaoch’. Sinead and I started performing together 5,000 years ago in tiny theatres in Dublin. And now she travels the world with her storytelling, blending intense personal stories with magical and mythical tales from ancient Ireland. It’s truly unique and wonderful to listen to.
For the late night queers, I’ll see you at the Big Gay Afterparty. A big old camp collection of cabaret, drag and music acts, brought together by RGB Monster and Aidan Sadler. There might even be a special guest appearance from a very famous Mark T Cox some night, in the afore mentioned very tight leather trousers.
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