“I’ve lived in Edinburgh for about 8 years now – working the festival as a summer job in-between studying. It’s so exciting to finally be part of it as a performer.”
WHO: Tom Whiston
WHAT: “Everyone’s favourite sailing instructor is back, and ready to rock the boat (but only if everyone’s wearing a buoyancy aid, and comfortable getting splashed… but only a little bit). Join Scott Murphy – ‘Hilarious’ **** (FourthWallMedia.wordpress.com); ‘Fun, dark and playful’ **** (GutterCulture.com) – as he takes you on a wild sailboat adventure about one man’s love for his buoys. A new show from celebrated Scotland-based character comedian and clown, Tom Whiston – 2021 Brighton Fringe sell-out; 2022 Glasgow Comedy Festival; Stamptown.”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Snug (Venue 24)
WHEN: 17:40 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is my first time as a performer here! I’ve lived in Edinburgh for about 8 years now – working the festival as a summer job in-between studying. It’s so exciting to finally be part of it as a performer.
Edinburgh is so great because people are willing to try things they normally wouldn’t. A punter is more likely to hear a bizarre one-line pitch from a flyerer and go ‘Hmm.. that actually sounds fun!’ here than anywhere else in the world. And whats more, in Edinburgh, the weirdos can actually find the other weirdos who love them.
Obviously the balance of work and play is vastly different as a producer/performer, as a venue worker, and as a regular punter
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I think 2022 taught me that I need to be able to pace myself over the festival. It’s way too easy to find yourself working three jobs, drinking every night AND trying to see every single show that you possibly can. It’s a lesson I’ve definitely learned, but we’ll see if it sticks this year…
Tell us about your show.
The show follows hapless kiwi sailing instructor Scott Murphy as he discovers a new love (of Buoys) under the direction of a dark new figure in his life. It’s a very thinly veiled metaphor for my own complicated experiences with queer relationships at a young age, specifically being groomed by an older man, that’s trying to pluck something really bright, silly and hopeful from something quite serious.
I’ve been performing as this character for years, and in trying to find the new journey for Scott, I realised there were a lot of aspects to him that were an idealised version of my own life. I meandered for a while, but eventually came to the conclusion that if I was ever going to make a show about this experience of mine, this is the character, and now is the time.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
There are so so many great Scotland-based comedians doing shows at the festival – David McIver’s show will be fantastic, as will Krystal Evans. Pete Carson and Cobin Millage are doing a duo-show which is going to be hilarious.
Outside of Scotland there is too much to recommend, but Lorna Rose Treen is doing her debut hour at the Pleasance, and that is the number one not-to-be-missed show going on this year.
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