Tom Ward’s talks about his debut stand up show, Sex, Snails & Cassette Tapes.
Tell us about your Fringe show
A journey through my youth, via being a straight boy in gay clubs, a love of 80's culture, a swift detour though the 90's, girlfriend's, new love, religious parents, Jools Holland drunken home life, dirty old men hanging around the local park, songs, impressions, life as told from the household items' perspective, and overall I think maybe a sense of looking for what this shit's all about and what I want and where the buzz is in this life.
How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?
Well it's my fourth year but my first hour so this is proper, feels proper and exciting and nerve shredding. I'll have to eat lots of greens, and sit under trees and stuff to keep myself Buddha.
Best live act seen at Fringe?
Will Franken
Best thing about the Fringe?
Being immersed in your world, doing the thing you've been thinking about all year, realising how ridiculous your life is as it shows itself to you in crystal clarity without any interruption. IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED? It screams from morning till night.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
Realising that you spent the 11 months previous thinking about this instead of trying to talk to girls or dance, and wondering if this is what you really wanted but that you've come too far now, and couldn't do any other job ever again.
If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing? I'd be sad somewhere, maybe living in my mum's garage writing songs, watching 80's action thrillers trying to feel something
How do you combat pre-gig nerves?
I breathw a bit and stand still, talk to myself in car parks / storage cupboards.
Worst on stage experience?
Most recently last week, to 180 blank faced people in Chelmsford the day after a lovely trip to Lisbon standing on the giant Jesus. Some days the love just doesn't flow through the bedroom. I take full responsibility if my moves don't give her the joy she craves.
How do you recover from a hefty heckle?
I have some things that I've said but I usually forget them and just start chatting to them to see where their pain is. If we can become friends I prefer that to attacking cos if they attack back I become sad and want to go to my mum's garage.
What do you love about Scotland?
It is proud of itself.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
It's by far the most epic and gothic city in the world and the air is crisp and clear and I am constantly in awe of the surroundings, history and skies.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Lived there for a month every year for the last three years.
Who’s your favourite Scottish comedian?
Phil Kay by a million miles.
Favourite joke?
Ha ha wow, that's a tough one. Richard Todd has a beauty about the man that tends to the lost property department looking abandoned himself. He is up there with Franken.
Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Macaroons. An unbelievable hit to the brain.
Tom Ward’s debut stand up show ‘Sex, Snails & Cassette Tapes’ will be at the Pleasnace Courtyard Cellar at 9.45pm for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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