Kai Humphries discusses happiness, partying and frog jokes.
Tell us about your Fringe show
It's a 1 hour bundle of happiness that will lift your spirits, make you laugh and leave you pondering about this crazy life we live. It's a humorous insight into the my thoughts, feeling and relationships and my most honest show yet.
Best thing about the Fringe?
The tangible vibe that buzzes in the year as some of the most creative minds in the world and a boatload of fun lovers fill the streets of arguably the greatest city in the world.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
You're going to get wet socks.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
I hadn't heard of the fringe until I visited in 2009 and haven't missed a single day of the festivals since. So this will be my 7th year, but my 5th show, work that one out. (I was lazy in 2012 but came for the party anyway)
Favourite Fringe venue?
The Gilded Balloon's Sportsman venue is particularly awesome at 8pm
Best Fringe memory?
A man in my audience who had down-syndrome leading the applauds after a story I told about my good childhood friend who has the same condition. When I started the story I was worried about the man getting self conscious and audience members feeling awkward by the situation but when he showed his love and appreciation for my anecdote which he enjoyed relating to it felt amazing.
Best heckle?
My school teacher from when I was 12 years old came to my show and interrupted my show with a good natured heckle to "get me back for interrupting her all the time when she was at work”. My ex-school teacher also happens to be the mother of comedy legend and fellow Geordie, Ross Noble.
Craziest on stage experience?
Having to pad while an endless flurry of sirens went by the venue in Cramlington only to find out when I got off stage the police activity was because crazed gunman Raul Moat had held up a fish and chip shop down the road.
What’s on your rider?
I'm pretty easy to keep, shelter, a toilet, running water. Anything else is a bonus.
How do you wind down after a show?
Usually by partying until I sleep but as I get older recovery seems to take a lot longer so I'm going to have to find a new technique.
What do you love about Scotland?
My girlfriend, I got myself a Scottish one, I fancied a challenge.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The fact I now call it home, I moved here in 2013 and it's a brilliant feeling to be a tourist here 24/7, the city holds so many secrets that I'm still discovering. The other day I went to a cocktail bar by going in a secret door under a fake laundrette and opening a book case. The place is magical.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Ordered a "haggis bomb" at a bar and watched as they dropped a shot of whiskey into a tumbler of irn Bru then pulled a face as I pretended to enjoy it.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
I'd say they're eclectic and like everything from the bizarre and whacky to the edgy and offensive. I guess this is why the festival and the spectrum of variety it has to offer is such a huge hit
Favourite joke?
When you're walking alongside someone, say "watch that frog" ...then let off a fart when their foot hits the ground. "Too late you stood on it"
It takes perfect timing, and has an element of risk if you try to force it.
Kai Humphries will perform at the Gilded Balloon from August 5-30.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here