FESTIVAL COMEDY | Comedy Debutantes
➙ KATIE MULGREW
What do you think might work out as the best piece of advice you receive ahead of your Fringe debut? I’ll listen to a lot of Destiny’s Child. What do you expect will be the least useful piece of advice? My mum constantly tells me to drink Berocca. Berocca is the Derren Brown of the vitamin world. Imagine this is September: looking back at August, what would constitute a successful Fringe? To be able to look back with a smile. An actual smile, not a nervous tick brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder. Back in the old days, there used to be a thing called ‘the festival shag’. Is this
ancient tradition likely to play any part in your thinking during August? I’ll be living with my fella who is also working at the Fringe, and we’ll probably be too exhausted to use the hob let alone fornicate. What qualities do you expect from a Fringe venue? Air conditioning. I don’t do very well in heat. I positively wither. I’m pretty much a Victorian bosom of a woman. Do you undertake any superstitious rituals before going on stage? I try not to call anyone in the audience names. The Stand III & IV, 558 7272, 2–25 Aug (not 12), 1.10pm, £7 (£6).
ROMESH RANGANATHAN
What do you think might work out as the best piece of advice you receive ahead of your Fringe debut? ‘Phone your wife every day while you are away because she is probably thinking about leaving you.’ What do you expect will be the least useful piece of advice? ‘I don’t think that you need to worry that your wife’s personal trainer keeps her company while you’re in Edinburgh.’ Imagine this is September: looking back at August, what would constitute a successful Fringe? My wife is still at the house. Back in the old days, there used to be a thing called ‘the festival shag’. Is this ancient tradition likely to play any part
in your thinking during August? I am hoping beyond hope that’s not a reference to what my wife will be up to. What qualities do you expect from a Fringe venue? If you expect a ridiculously high temperature inside that makes remaining conscious a huge challenge, then you are rarely disappointed. Do you undertake any superstitious rituals before going on stage? It’s as much as I can do to stop my brain visualising the show going horribly wrong. Sometimes I pray to Richard Pryor. Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, 3–25 Aug, 6.50pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). Previews 31 Jul–2 Aug, £6.
PHIL WANG
What do you think might work out as the best piece of advice you receive ahead of your Fringe debut? I’ve been told by a number of Fringe veterans to refrain from drinking alcohol. Sounds like good advice. Also sounds like I won’t be taking it. What do you expect will be the least useful piece of advice? To go for a run every day. Exercise makes me sad and thirsty. Imagine this is September: looking back at August, what would constitute a successful Fringe? Having eaten under 30 shawarmas. Back in the old days, there used to be a thing called ‘the festival shag’. Is this
ancient tradition likely to play any part in your thinking during August? Is that a kind of dance move or sexual encounter? In either case, it’s not looking likely. But who knows? What qualities do you expect from a Fringe venue? A good sense of humour and nice eyes. Do you have any superstitious rituals you go through before going on stage? Not really. I normally just drink a Coke, go through my notes, and then sacrifice the youngest audience member on a marble altar. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 3–25 Aug, 5.50pm, £8.50–£10 (£7–£9). Previews 31 Jul–2 Aug, £6.
For more interviews with this year’s Fringe debutantes visit list.co.uk/festival 36 THE LIST FESTIVAL 1–8 Aug 2013