Ramon Rivas debut Fringe show, Unbecoming Ramon Rivas, is on at the Stand Comedy Club 2 from August 3 - 26 (except 13th).
- Tell us about your Fringe show
Like most men in America should be doing, I've been reflecting on the ways I've done right or wrong by the women in my life. Doing so led me to realise I disconnected sex and care at some point early in my life. The genesis of it is a girl I was seeing saved me in her phone as a f**kboi, so I start to explore what that even means, what I did that made me into that.
UNBECOMING RAMON RIVAS explores what happens when a person realises they've been a sh**ty person and is trying to figure out how we get to that point and how we are all usually hoes til we ain't.
- How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?
Extremely humbling. I've been wrapped up in the notion of it since I started comedy 10 years ago. I watch HANNIBAL TAKES EDINBURGH on Netflix quite a bit, so it's cool to randomly have the same folks that helped being him out back in 2012 are the ones that helped get me this year.
- Why did you decide to perform at the Fringe?
I've been headlining clubs for a few years, but just this year the things I've always talked about (being broke, being single) started to connect for me in a stronger, more clear narrative and as I worked on it, the opportunity to run 24 hours in a month to iron it out fully and really explore the thesis of what I'm trying to say and dive deeper into a topic that is prevalent right now and always will be: navigating love, sex and care when you can't really afford to invest in any of them properly. Being able to work on that topic without the cultural restrictions that can pop up in America is something I'm really looking forward to.
- If you were not a performer what would you be doing?
I think the fact I have absolutely no answer for this proves I was born this way. Honestly not sure what I would be in life without comedy/performing, but I'm pretty sure I'd be unhappy.
- How do you prepare for a performance?
Ensure that I nap, get clean and comfortable in clothes that are presentable and representative of how I'm feeling in that moment. I don't drink but am a cannabis advocate, so I will typically enjoy a few puffs of a few joints. I like to approach the stage in a chill, even-handed manner.
- Best/worst advice you’ve been given ahead of your debut show?
Best: Go out and talk to people during the day. When you get offstage the night before your OFF DAY, realise you actually have 48 hours off, not just a day. So take that opportunity to get OUTSIDE the fest and experience something else in Scotland.
Worst: Spend money on adverts (which is fine, but I'd be doing that instead of staying alive)
- Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?
I've never been, but I'm going to guess that my favorite thing about being in Edinburgh is going to be seeing how many different ways people mispronounce the name of the city.
- What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve ever done?
When I moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles, I had a bag o' pipes.
- Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Do y'all have that?! What is a scottish sandwich based on? That's my default food because I feel like every culture has a sandwich but I've never thought about a Scottish specific thing. Do y'all have juices, or just booze? Since I don't drink I haven't explored any of your distilled delights.
- Sum up your show in three words
TEDxTalk on loneliness
Show summary
Ramon Rivas takes an introspective journey when a woman he cared about saved him as Ramon Fckboi in her phone. Sex and care got confusing at the boom of the hook-up era and birth of dating apps, Ramon explores the connection between financial and emotional poverties which leads to men's unbecoming behaviour, even ones that were virgins until 26... and again from 27-28.
Ramon Rivas debut Fringe show, Unbecoming Ramon Rivas, is on at the Stand Comedy Club 2 from August 3 - 26 (except 13th) and is suitable for audiences aged 18 and over.
For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
You can follow Ramon Rivas on Twitter at @blazerramon and visit his website at www.blazerramon.com
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