Piff The Magic Dragon talks about his new show,‘Direct From Las Vegas.
Tell us about your Fringe show
Piff the Magic Dragon: Direct from Las Vegas - It's the show Mr Piffles and I perform at The Flamingo hotel and casino right on the Las Vegas Strip. It's the first time we're bringing our very own headline show back to visit.
Best thing about the Fringe?
The audiences. Edinburgh has the greatest audiences in the world. Why do you think comedians come from all over the world to perform there? It's not the weather.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
The weather. The city can turn into one large water feature some years with rain more constant than the disappointment of every student improv show ever conceived. The eternal sunshine of the desert was one of the motivating factors in my move to Las Vegas almost three years ago now. Also, performing in a cave... I know I'm supposed to love that, given my natural dragon heritage, but I think I'm allergic to Cave Juice.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This is my seventh show and eighth year. I fell in love with the festival in 2006 and made sure that I came up as often as I could since then.
Favourite Fringe venue?
David Bates' World Famous Spiegeltent. It was where I first saw La Clique, the show that inspired me to find a way to get on stage.
Best Fringe memory?
My first solo show in 2008. We had standing room only shows, great reviews, amazing buzz and best of all, it was the year I found Mr Piffles. It was truly a turning point of my career, and that's what I love about the fringe. It can make a huge difference.
Best heckle?
Once a guy told me he used to be a magician. What happened, I asked. He replied, I grew up. Brutal.
Craziest on stage experience?
In Melbourne last year a woman emptied a can of dog food in my case on stage. Luckily I work with a particulary greedy Chihuahua who licked it all clean. Unluckily he then had diarrhea for three days straight.
What’s on your rider?
Mostly bananas and dog treats.
How do you wind down after a show?
Watching Mr Piffles trying to peel a banana whilst eating a handful of dog treats.
What do you love about Scotland?
The people. No one relishes the mockery of incompetence quite like the Scots. Just look at their recent reception of Trump.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The castle. For a dragon it's the ultimate dream home. I'm hoping to move in this Christmas. My plan is to buy a few baubles and disguise myself as the tree.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Complained about the tram debacle for six years straight.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
The trump jokes. Living in Las Vegas for the last couple of years has generated quite a stockpile of them.
Favourite joke?
The Edinburgh tram debacle.
Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Meat pies from piemaker. Simultaneously the best and worst thing in the world today.
Piff The Magic Dragon ‘Direct From Las Vegas’ will be at the Assembly George Square Theatre from 3rd – 13th August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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