Tiff Stevenson talks about that euphoria of a show and caves...
Tell us about your Fringe show
It's called Mad Man because I like the idea of referring to myself as a man. I also like the idea that a woman is a man who has gone mad as she's seen too many of the wrongs in the world. Also it's about advertising and the idea that we are being sold our personalities.
Best thing about the Fringe?
That euphoria after you've had a great show. You feel you can do anything like walk up Arthur's Seat at 6am and drink Prosecco from the bottle then realise you have to walk back down whilst sobering up so you have a little cry and hate yourself for two days after.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
Being referred to as a veteran in my mid 30's....
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
Since my mid twenties...this will be my 10th year of doing something. My first fringe was 2006 and I was in a play in the giant purple cow .
Favourite Fringe venue?
Not the upside down purple cow. I would say the caves and The Stand. I also have very fond memories of the baby grand at The Pleasance as we ran Old Rope there for a couple of years.
Best Fringe memory?
That shipping crate at The Pleasance had some great moments. Paul Foot doing 'mime plus' Reg D being heckled, Roisin Conaty getting lock jaw whilst on stage. Carol Leifer doing 5 minutes, Russ Howard being stopped for autograph mid show. I loved that shipping crate.
My personal best moments include being presented Stutter's Spirit Of The Fringe and being onstage performing with Jennifer Coolidge and George Wendt for Celebrity Autobiography that was pretty cool.
Best heckle?
There are no good heckles - it's normally just one person embarrassing themselves.
Craziest on stage experience?
I've had a few, I crowd surfed off stage at Bestival. I also gave a weird non sexual lap dance to a 20 year old guy at Leeds festival. It was basically an interpretive dance to Wuthering Heights, including cartwheel at the end .
Once before a show in Brighton I ate oysters. I finished my set, walked offstage, puked, went back on did an encore then came off and puked again
What’s on your rider?
Not oysters that's for certain! I think I'm allergic. Basically if it has been clinging to a rock in the Mediterranean I don't put it near my mouth oysters, clams, Ronaldo...whatever. Don't put it near your lips Stevenson
How do you wind down after a show?
By hanging out and drinking Margerita's or watching episodes of Supernatural or Walking Dead. Basically scary stuff relaxes me
What do you love about Scotland?
My dads Scottish, my boyfriend is Scottish so the men of Scotland. The pedantic, stoic, stubborn, irritating, hardy, proud, hard on the outside, soft on the inside men of Scotland. The women are pretty good too....my gran could drink a whole bottle of whiskey and still string together a eloquent diatribe telling you how much of a disappointment you were. She was from St Andrews so rich and belligerent but pretty much the smartest person I ever met. Make of that what you will. Scotland is part of me and I am part of it, I'm like a boil that can be lanced but will never truly leave. But like a pretty boil with a winning personality yeah?
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The history, the cobblestones that are the equivalent of wearing fit flops for a month. Cockburn St - COME ON GUYS. The shop that sells kiltowel, it's a kilt AND a towel, who doesn't need one of those in their life?
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
My boyfriend
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
The same as anyone else. Scottish people have a strong sense of identity, any place that has a strong sense of identity can take a ribbing and enjoys comedy.
Favourite joke?
If I tell you then I'd have to kill you. I'm joking! Seriously though, my favourite jokes can't be written down, it's all in the telling. What I'm saying is go see some live comedy
Tiff Stevenson’s new stand up show ‘Mad Man’ is at Stand 6 from 6th – 29th August, for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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