“The sheer scale of the festival is like no other festival I have performed in the presence is undeniable all over the city.”
WHO: Matt Harvey
WHAT: “Sex shops, Robodebt, and roller coasters! ‘Unfailingly funny’ **** (Artshub.co.uk). ‘Bursting at the seams with extraordinary stories’ (TheatreThoughtsAus.online). A fast-paced hour of stand-up and storytelling, set in the surprisingly angry world of customer service. From illegal government debt, wage theft and breaking a 100-year-old roller-coaster saving the lives of 18 people – all in a day’s work when you earn minimum wage.”
WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait – Lower (Venue 78)
WHEN: 20:15 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is my second time in Edinburgh. I was fortunate enough to be able to do it last year and despite the increased cost of living/travel I have made sure I included EdFringe as one of my destinations this year as it was not only an extremely unique experience, the sheer scale of the festival is like no other festival I have performed in the presence is undeniable all over the city, but it is a chance to perform alongside some of the biggest names in the industry and meet a lot of performers who I might otherwise never encounter.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
2022 was a year of big lessons, especially as a travelling performer. The cost-of-living crisis was just beginning but learning to navigate the costs while on the road has helped me a lot.
But also being in the mixing pot of Ed Fringe has shown me how far my work can travel as the wide variety of audiences from all over Europe that come and tell you that your work would do well their is extremely comforting and humbling. It has taught me to think wider and be prepared to adapt a little the work I bring as the ability to travel a cultural or pop-cultural reference has potentially limited milage.
Tell us about your show.
The show is a fully one man show, written, performed, and produced by me. Edinburgh is often down the road for me, I have generally taken on many local and a few international festivals before even considering bringing it to Edinburgh, though the show I did last year (I Got Bit By A Monkey Once) has toured past Edinburgh – going to the US in 2023. So likely this will serve as a great testing ground for international traveling with this particular show.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
It does depend on who will be there this year.
But I can recommend Laura Davis: Well Don’t Just Stand There Dancing – saw this in the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and it’s an incredible show. We have themes that cross over so it’d make a great paring.
Andrew O’Neill – Geburah – Haven’t seen this show in particular but based on last year’s showing Andrew’s work and mine will line up nicely.
The Gargle: Live – This is a great podcast that covers the news in a hilarious way. Only a few shows so get in quick.
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!
INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!
Get Your Coats On 