Chris Stokes talks about his new stand up show, The Man Delusion.
Tell us about your Fringe show
This year’s show is jokes and stories primarily about human interaction and questioning the underlying hostility that can be beneath it. From an introvert’s point of view, the tension brought about by the passive-aggressiveness of the every day is palpable, so it explores that via the fact that we can’t seem to make our minds up whether we’ve transcended the animal kingdom or are still very much a part of it. TL;DR “Just be nice to each other guys, we might all still be chimps.”
Best thing about the Fringe?
While you are ostensibly at the Fringe to work, the atmosphere combined with being away from home for a month means that you never really stop from feeling the holiday vibe, which only makes you enjoy the work.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
It makes you want to not sleep.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This year is my fourth solo show, but I’ve been coming up to the Fringe in some capacity since 2007.
Favourite Fringe venue?
I’ve always enjoyed going to see shows at The Stand, which is a great room for stand-up all year round, and have a fondness for The Attic in the Pleasance Courtyard, the Tron and the warren of Underbellies.
Best Fringe memory?
In 2013 I saw that Roddy Woomble was performing a small, intimate gig at Dovecot Studios so I went along knowing I would only have 5 minutes to make my own show once it finished. He closed on one of the more obscure songs from his first solo album, which happened to be my favourite of his, and the second it finished I sprinted out of the door to start my show, which I performed out of breath and with a massive smile on my face.
Best heckle?
At last year’s Fringe, I was on very late in a very hot room and hadn’t been interesting enough to stop one man from falling asleep. He had been pointed out by his mate and I noticed he had stuffed his phone into his shoe. So – possessed by mischief - I carefully removed the phone without waking him up, placed it at the back of the stage and carried on with the show.
Then his phone went off. His friend had called his phone, both to wake him up and alert him to the fact that I had stolen his phone.
Craziest on stage experience?
Also at last year’s Fringe, I was 40 minutes into my show when a drunk man burst in, having left one show at the other side of the courtyard to go for a piss, got lost and ended up walking back into mine. Where he decided to remain.
What’s on your rider?
I don’t have a rider, I bring my own oat milk.
How do you wind down after a show?
Usually, with one beer too many. Occasionally, with just the right amount of beers.
What do you love about Scotland?
It’s beautiful, it’s cultured and it’s entirely comfortable in its own identity with absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
There isn’t a city like it to look at, or a city like it to walk around. Nowhere else can you seem to walk downhill and somehow be at the top of a hill.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Caber toss. I had to dress up as a caber.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
They don’t seem to respond any differently from anyone else.
Favourite joke?
One orange rolling down a hill says to another orange rolling down the hill, “So what’s your name and where do you come from?” and the other orange replies, “I’m not telling you, you might come round and steal my washing.”
Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Without a doubt, Islay single malt.
Chris Stokes new stand up show ‘The Man Delusion’ will be at the Underbelly Clover Room Bristo Square for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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