Nigel Osner is back & he’s off to the Edinburgh Fringe…

Hello Nigel, so first things first, where are you from & where are you at, geographically speaking?
I was born in London and still live there.

Your journey to performer is quite a convoluted one, can you tell us the short version?
Will try! I am a non-practising barrister and was employed in the Ministry of Justice. But I had a yearning to be a performer. I began by helping to write, then act in, departmental pantomimes. I fancied myself as rather good, but came to realise I needed singing lessons, courses on acting and the advantage of a good director! I appeared at a couple of fringe venues, doing a mixture of existing material – e.g. Coward, Kurt Weill, Lehrer – and writing my own lyrics. I also started to work three days a week, to spend more time on writing and performing. In 2008 I left the Department and found an acting agent. However, I stopped performing for a bit and got more involved in films or fringe theatre. In 2011 I thought I would give performing another go. Since then in London I have performed at the Crazy Coqs, the studio at the Other Palace, the Pheasantry and more alternative venues. In 2016 it seemed time to try the Edinburgh Fringe, so I put together ‘Angel to vampire!’, an entirely original show based on my life’s yearnings. My current show, which I will be taking to the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringes this year, is called ‘Too young to stay in, too old to go out!’ What I do is tell stories, whether in song or monologues, as different characters, both men and women – and occasionally supernatural beings!

You’re quite the polymath, where do you think such a wide array of interests come from?
Creativity can come out in different ways at different times. For a long time I expressed this side by painting, portraits especially. This overlapped with my writing and I had a children’s book published years ago. I helped adapt this into a musical. I have continued writing and enjoy the fantasy genre. However, I particularly wanted to express myself as a performer. By writing my own material at least nobody can say they have seen it done better! As to why there are these different interests, I can’t say. I just need to express myself in this way. I no longer paint though. But underlying everything is a sort of escapism and yet also a desire to be truly myself.

A couple of years ago you performed ‘Angel to Vampire!’ in Brighton and Edinburgh – how did it all go?
‘Angel to vampire!’ is a show about my life’s yearnings. However, I don’t illustrate everything directly. After all, I’m neither an angel nor a vampire! I thought it was brilliant title, but in retrospect not everyone likes vampires and for those who do, there would not have been enough supernatural characters. The show got some good reviews in Edinburgh, including that in the Fringe Review, which was beautifully written, supportive and a joy to have. However, the audience could have been larger so, as with many Edinburgh shows, I lost a bit of money. I also learned lessons for the future about venues and advertising. I stayed for the whole of the Edinburgh Fringe but the following year performed only seven days in the Brighton Fringe. Again, that could have been busier but the feedback was positive and I have now developed a good relationship with Sweet venues.

Can you tell us about the unfortunate break in proceedings from last year’s follow-up show?
Break literally! I had arranged to perform ‘Too young to stay in, too old to go out!’ with Sweet for four early evenings. The first two shows were full and the audience reaction was very encouraging. On the second night I went out afterwards with two friends from London. It was a jolly evening! Nevertheless, I did not get back that late to where I was staying. I had to get up in the middle of the night and somehow my right foot gave way. I could not walk on it in the morning so took myself off to the hospital. I thought I had sprained the foot or possibly broken a toe. In fact I had broken four metatarsals, which was regarded as serious because of potential swelling. As I couldn’t do the show sitting down, I had to cancel the remaining performances and hire a minicab to London. That did not lead to financial profit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOMriKXkenM

So what is ‘Too Old To Stay In Too Young To Go Out’ all about?
It is about the challenges and occasional opportunities for those who can no longer claim to be young, even to themselves. I examine dating, love, work, holidays – even the gym! I do this with original songs and stories by male and female characters. There’s lots of humour but with a bitter sweet edge. Characters include Gerald who is having a taxing night out in central London; a rich designer who falls for his hunky gardener; the woman driven mad by her companion on a river cruise down the Danube; and a fading star on an endless tour. I am particularly – but not exclusively – aiming the show at an older audience, as I am not sure enough material is written with their concerns in mind..

You’ve just performed the show in Brighton – how did it go & have you tweaked the it in the interim?
The show went well in May. Audience reaction was warm and involved. Fringe Review called it ‘a beautiful piece of solo work’. Broadway Baby said it was ‘‘Witty, bitchy, achingly sad and, finally, strangely uplifting’. I have been working on the show for over a year now. One piece has been omitted and a new song has been introduced. The narrative in between the songs and stories has been altered or developed. In Brighton the show achieved pretty much its final Fringe state. There have been only a few tweaks since then.

What are the fundamental differences between performing at the Brighton & the Edinburgh Fringes?
The Brighton Fringe is less full-on, less crowded and has more of a local audience, which I find appreciates my material. A huge proportion of the Edinburgh audience come along from outside the city. In 2018 there were 3500 shows. It is not a relaxing experience.

What advice do you have for someone making their debut at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I would really want to catch that person before they made their debut. If they have never been to the Edinburgh Fringe, they should go up the year before and check out the venues, the shows and the vibe. If this is now their first year, go to an introduction to the Fringe if they can get to one. Be very clear about what they want from the Fringe and go after those aims. When in Edinburgh, make use of Fringe Central. Staff there are helpful. Go to events. Speak to other Fringe performers. Work hard on promoting the show. Take advantage of any opportunity. Do not expect unalloyed joy. Look out for the positives and value them.

What will you be doing for the rest of 2019?
In August I’ll be taking my show to the Edinburgh Fringe. My aim is to promote interest in a tour of small venues and a London run of an expanded version of the show. I would like to revive ‘Angel to Vampire!’ for Halloween. Apart from that I’ll do bits and pieces plus try to get cast in a play or film. And I’ll hope to write some new material.

Too Young Too Old

Sweet Novotel

Aug 2-11, 13-18 (17:45)

Tweets by @nigelosner

www.nigelosner.com

The ultimate Love Muffin is moving into Edinburgh’s Old Town

Hello Samantha, so where ya from & where ya at, geographically speaking?
I am from and reside in the Black Country. It’s a real place, but it’s like purgatory. A lot of people get stuck there. My town Walsall is actually the 4th most deprived area in England according to our local paper. It’s called the Black Country as there used to be a lot of factories there, the smoke from the factories would turn the sky black. The factories have mostly gone now but there’s still plenty of smoke, from spliffs and cracks pipes. There’s no place like home!

You have been described as an ‘anarcha-feminist,’which seems an unusual field from which to draw comedy. Is it a rich field to harvest?
I think confrontation can create comedy, or just enemies. Confrontation with bare breasts is very funny, but also very serious. We are serious comedians. I was actually a comedian before I became an anarcha-feminist, before I was just ‘a feminist’ but I had to separate myself from the ones who hate men and sex positive women. Anarchy is about challenging hierarchy, feminism is about challenging patriarchy. So it makes sense that feminism shouldn’t turn into a matriarchy. We need equal ground!

What is it about performing live you love the most?
The warm fuzzy feeling you get from intimately connecting with an audience. You can’t get that soul connection through a plasma screen. Last night I got both kisses and cuddles from my audience on their way out. That is way better than a thumbs up on Youtube.

Have your stints at the Edinburgh Fringe toughened you up as a comedian?
The first show was a baptism of fire. Most people duck under the radar for about 5 years then pop up with their debut hour. I did my first hour ‘Consume Shit & Die’ less than 2 years into comedy. I was in a nightclub called Espionage at 10.30pm trying to get drunk people to join the revolution! I had so much to say and felt it was urgent so there was no way I was gonna faff around for 5 years like some of my peers recommended. I needed a platform, where else could I express my truth without ending up back in the nuthouse? The show was not bad and definitely not good but I don’t regret it. Had I not done the full run with an hour there is no way I would have had the guts or the know how to produce Sextremist the following year. This is now my fifth year in comedy and 4th hour. I believe by industry standards, this is the year I am supposed to quit. The rules are you write a five year business plan, but fuck the rules! Anyway, just in the nick of time my work has become socially acceptable. I actually have a regular paid gig in telly, Psychic Today not 8 Out of 10 Cats but I’m making my own way. It’s comforting that my audience have seen me transform from an ugly duckling into a phoenix.

What have you learnt about yourself and your act since 2014?
I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was, if you wanna test your sanity after coming out of a mental hospital, I recommend getting into stand up comedy. I’ve also learned that I need to choose my battles. I was angry when I started out, because I’d been through a lot of trauma. I would fight anyone and everyone. I’ve realised now, it’s not worth the energy. I think my act has become more honest and intimate, even though I don’t perform topless anymore. I came from an acting background so my original persona wasn’t really me. I think the real Sammie is standing up now.

What is your ideal Sunday?
Sleep till I wake up, don’t bother getting dressed. Read a book in bed and then order a curry for breakfast at 4pm. I might then watch a comedy on Netflix or listen to a podcast. I’m mostly tearing around the country in pursuit of mischief, magic and mirth so it’s nice to just have one day to do nothing.

You are bringing Covered to the Edinburgh Fringe, can you tell us about it?
It’s a personal story that starts and ends with the police. Previewing ahead of my Edinburgh Fringe launch. This show is about trying to be taken seriously, while also trying to be a comedian. I know this will really shock people but I am a certified lunatic. I talk about trying to get my needs covered after a severe mental breakdown 5 years ago. Where do you go when all the welfare services have been cut and many people are scared to discuss mental health issues? Well I went to comedy, straight out of a mental hospital. I was encouraged by a Guardian article published at that time stating comedians are the most likely profession to be diagnosed with psychotic traits. Comedy is my home, but some see me as a pesky squatter. I’ve managed to resist the bailiffs so far but this is not the case for everyone. The show talks about the welfare state, social housing and the need for belonging. It’s seriously funny.

What advice do you have for someone making their Edinburgh debut in 2019?
I don’t feel like I am in a position to give anyone advice. Especially unsolicited. I debuted a year and a half into stand up. It was a conscious decision. I was anti-competition and didn’t want the pressure. Most comedians wait 5 years before doing a debut hour, they want the newcomer award. I just wanted to get onstage and talk to people, I needed to feel like I had a voice. I just wanted to speak my truth. My advice is just do you.

You’ve got 20 seconds to sell the show to someone in the street, what do you say?
It’s a story of resilience promoting compassion over schadenfreude. Chronicling how people are struggling to get their mental health needs met in austerity Britain. Perfect subject for comedy because the system is a joke!

Covered

Riddle’s Court

Aug 2-26 (16.00)

Tweets by @SammiePressdee

Blasting out on a comedy missile from the epicenter of American politics, comes one of its funniest commentators…

Hello Naomi, first things first, where are you from & where are you at, geographically speaking?
I spent most of my life in New York City but now I love in our glorious and equally loathed nation’s capital Washington, D.C.

When did you first develop a passion for Comedy?
I remember liking comedy before I started liking boys, so I had to be around age ten.

How did you get into stand-up?
I watched so much of it growing up. Probably more than was appropriate for a child.

Which comedians have inspired you; both old school & contemporary?
So many. John Leguizamo, Janeane Garofalo, Margaret Cho, Dave Chappelle, Eddie Izzard, Frankie Boyle, Ali Wong, and many more. Hard question.

What is it about being funny in front of other people that makes you tick?
It feels like magic to make people laugh just with your words, rather than like tickling them or something. And more than anything I wanted to be a witch=

Can you tell us about Redacted Tonight & your role with the show?
Redacted Tonight is a lefty political satire show. I’m a correspondent on it and write, produce and perform my own segments. I also get to choose my own stories which is pretty rare, and get to talk about issues I really care about and make dark, sick and twisted jokes about them. It’s a dream job covering a nightmare world.

What are the creative impulses & processes behind writing your material?
I like to take really sad things and make them funny. I like to make my job as difficult as possible.

You’re performing your debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe; can you tell us about the show?
Now four out of the five top weapons companies in the US are led by women, and Americans celebrate that. My show is about how frightening that is. It’s also about me and my crazy family.

From which of the feminist spheres do you find the best materials for humour?
I find scenarios like above, where women tend to apply feminism where it doesn’t belong, particularly funny.

How do you think the British audiences will handle your personal comedic style?
I’ve performed in the UK before and I think the UK loves dark comedy.

You’ve got 20 seconds to sell the show to somebody in the streets of Edinburgh, what would you say?
This is a show about women killing it…literally.

Dominant

Marlin’s Wynd

Aug 1-25 (20.30)

Tweets by @naomikaravani

www.naomikaravani.com

An energetic South London story-teller is heading to Edinburgh this August…

Hello Travis, first things first, where are you from & where are you at, geographically speaking?
Hey guys, my family are from the Caribbean. My Dad’s family are from Dominica (not republic) and my Mother’s side of the family are from Jamaica. I grew up in South London but currently reside in East London.

What is the banter like in South London?
The banter in South London is strong. It’s a very creative place with the likes of Stormzy and Michael Dapaah bring from here. There’s an energy that you don’t find in most other areas because almost everyone is on a creative grind and as a comedian that competitive energy helps bring out the best in me. Nothing gets me going quite like the spirit of competition.

When did you first realise you could make people laugh?
I suppose I’d always been able to make people laugh throughout school. My friend Stephen blames me to this day for him not getting his GCSE in English because we sat next to each other, the banter was endless. I think the turning point was being in the crowd at a comedy show and thinking ‘I can do that’.

You are the son of Angie Le Mar, how much has she inspired your own comedy?
Her inspiration has been huge, I grew up watching her perform so I’d seen her abilities on countless occasions. I had basic rules of comedy explained to me even as young as 8 years old where my mum would say to me ‘If you have to explain a joke, it isn’t funny’ whilst I’d be doing chores. She inspires me quite a lot because she has achieved so much, each time I reach another level of my career I stay quite humble in that because I’m following the footsteps of somebody who has done so much. E.G. when I won the gong show at the comedy store in 2011, I posed for a pic with the winner’s hat in front of a pic of my mum which was on the wall at the comedy store.

As a post-Millennial, do you find that comedy is changing, is the material of older comics still relevant?
I think the material of older comics will always be relevant, stand-up comedy will always be an older man’s sport. Simply because life experience is where the material comes from in most cases, I don’t mean that as a slight on younger comics (I’m only 31 myself) but all stages of life provide great material. In terms of what is no longer acceptable because it’s offensive and an outdated view which is now no longer PC that’s a different conversation. My view is, things are very sensitive now but for the most part people still want to laugh. I don’t think you can be true to comedy without delivering material you find funny, you can’t satisfy everybody’s moral compass but I wouldn’t co-sign ridiculously offensive material for the sake of proving a point. Modern society is going through a transition right now, there’s a lot of conflict happening. The last thing people want to do is find themselves in a comedy club for some light escapism and have their views and lifestyles laughed at. With that said, I don’t blame the comic who pulls the trigger on that joke if it’s hilarious.

You’ve got three famous comedians (dead or alive) coming round for dinner. Who would they be & what would you cook; starters, mains & dessert?
Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams and Bernie Mac… tbh I think we’re ordering a Chinese and discussing comedy. I’m not missing a moment of this, but I’d order salt and chilli chicken wings to start, sweet n sour chicken Hong Kong style with egg fried rice and then ordering dessert from somewhere else that does waffles or crepes because most Chinese restaurant places have awful dessert. If you’ve never tried, please never try.

You’re performing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe; what are you bringing to the table?
I’m bringing a unique perspective, my route in comedy has been slightly different to most comics going up to Edinburgh. Most of my years in the game have been on the black comedy scene, which is probably considered quite underground. I’m bringing a new energy, I’m a story teller, I love to go the extra mile on stage and I always commit to having fun and bringing the audience into my world when it’s my time. I’m bringing a special edge to this fringe and I really can’t wait to entertain.

If your comedy style was a soup, what would be the key ingredients?
So it would definitely have a few heavy portions of ‘Funny’, a dollop of south London, 2 slices of ‘did he really just say that’, some cut up chunks of ‘engaging storytelling’, some chopped up ‘intelligence’ then finish it off with a spoonful of ‘Feel good’.

You’ve got 20 seconds to sell the play to somebody in the streets of Edinburgh, what would you say?
Listen, Dave Chappelle thinks I’m amazing.

What will you be doing for the rest of 2019?
I like to focus on one step at a time, so Edinburgh is all that’s on my radar right now but I’ll be all over the place gigging and developing a few projects.

Funny, Petty, Cool 

The Attic Room, Just the Tonic

Aug 1-25 (14.35)

Tweets by @travisjayent

www.travisjay.co.uk

After a sell-out run down Brighton, Sonia Aste is coming back to Edinburgh with a whole new comedy menu…

Hello Sonia, so where ya from and where ya at, geographically speaking?
Sonia: Like my show’s title: I’m Made in Spain! And to prepare audiences for my show – I ordered a SPANISH SUMMER so everyone can feel like a true local.

When did you first realise you could make people laugh?
Sonia: My mom says that as a new born people laughed because I looked like a grumpy old man. I also made these mumbling complaining noises that reminded her of my uncle Antonio … who was (and still is!) a grumpy old man. So making people laugh started pretty early I guess.

How did you get into Comedy?
Sonia: My grandparents’ house was always full of laughter. Their philosophy was ‘When life laughs at you … you laugh right back! Because when the going gets tough … laughter can keep you going’. A wonderful lesson which I hold dear in my heart.

What is your ideal Sunday afternoon?
Sonia: After Saturday’s FIESTA –Sunday SIESTA!

As a Spaniard living in Britain, what do you think of the ongoing Brexit proceedings?
Sonia: Like the Spanish festival: LA TOMATINA, (metaphorical) tomato throwing and complete confusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3k55OSJFU4

What are the differences between the Spanish & the British senses of humour?
Sonia: Humour is a little different, but luckily there’s no difference between a ‘British laugh and Spanish laugh’, because laughter is our one universal language.

What does Sonia Aste do when she’s not being funny?
Sonia: Worry about not being funny.

You are bringing MADE IN SPAIN to the Edinburgh Fringe, can you tell us about it?
Sonia: With Spain being one of the top destination for British tourists, my show shines a light into our cultural differences and what it means to be ‘Made in Spain’. It’s a fast paced show based on a ‘Tapas Menu’, and the audience chooses what they want to order. I wanted to cater to all comedy tastes and like a good Spanish meal, provide a space to share in the fun and laughter.

You say your show will be based around a tapas menu … what would you recommend?
Sonia: The menu will change daily, making every show different – but I’d definitely recommend ‘Spanish Song Salad’ and ‘Mum’s Mash’. We will have daily specials too!

You’ve just had a sell out run in Brighton, what was that like?
A true international party full of laughter! People from more than 16 different nationalities! Plus of course the wonderfully delightful Brightonians … who have the best laugh ever. Oh! And one show we had a seagull! Thankfully it flew out the window before the show started, because it was the size of a plane. What do they eat?

What are the differences between the Brighton and the Edinburgh Fringes?
Seagulls the size of a Boeing 747.

What advice do you have for someone about to perform their debut show in Edinburgh?
Be prepared for a huge FIESTA! No SIESTA.

You have 20 seconds to sell your show to someone in the streets of Edinburgh…
Have you been to Spain? Yes? No? Come to my show! It’s a fun filled fiesta full of laughs! SOLD OUT last year! So get your tickets NOW! Don’t leave it for MANANA!

Made In Spain 2

Sweet Grassmarket

Aug 2-25 (17.30)

Tweets by @soniaaste

www.soniaaste.com