Angus Dunican talks about his new show, The Vanity Project. 

Tell us about your Fringe show

It’s about our relationship with liars and the truth in general. It’s about how we project ourselves socially (both in real life and online), how we try to micro-manage the story of ourselves in the eyes of others and the need to feel special. It’s mainly stories to be honest, all of which are true but only some of which actually happened.

Best thing about the Fringe?

Honestly? Just the sense that for four weeks I don’t feel like there’s something else I should be doing – this is where I belong.  I’m generally haunted by the idea that I’m supposed to be somewhere and have forgotten. I never pick up my voicemail because 9 times out of 10 it’s just

(BEEP) “Hello Angus….well it’s gone 9’oclock… …where are you?”

Worst thing about the Fringe?


Besides how easy it is to severely damage your renal system, it’s the weirdness it puts between you and your fellow comics. You’re mates but weird kind of disconnected mates and you’re having a nice time but always competing with each other.  It’s somewhere between an awkward school reunion, a stag-do on Groundhog Day and The Hunger Games.

How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

Since I was 19 – so nearly 13 years though I took a break.  Me and some mates did a comedy variety show called ‘Special Needs, Fish-Paste and the God Principle’ in the back of the Holyrood Tavern. We were only running a week but I was high on my recently acquired ‘comedian’ status and had the time of my life. 

Through sheer hubris, my then writing partner and I went home and prepped for the following year, during which we wrote, rehearsed and produced ‘Offensive Shadows’…(arguably) the worlds most precocious play.  The rung was plagued with illness and drama and it scarred me pretty badly for a while.  I didn’t do another show until 2012 with ‘Patrick Lappin, Angus Dunican and Tom Clutterbuck Don’t Like Each Other’ – followed by ‘The Bravery Test’ in 2013 and ‘The Great Indoors’ in 2014…some people never learn

Favourite Fringe venue?


I have mad-love for the Counting House but often end up in the Labyrinth.

Best Fringe memory?


I’ve forgotten…though the arcanely-ruled zip-line championship organised by Tom Bell at 4am on the meadows was pretty huge.

Best heckle?


While leaving during the show, a guy whispered at me the chillingly enigmatic promise “I’ll be seeing you in the park later”. Maybe he’d heard about the zip-line contest? It haunts me though - I feel like the next time I meet him (and by the Gods I know I will) only one of us will walk away.  

Craziest on stage experience?


Probably

What’s on your rider?


Tablet.

How do you wind down after a show?


I like to go sit in a non-venue pub and have quiet, moody drink on my own.

What do you love about Scotland?


Basically everything– I’m thinking of moving. Your recent form with voter unison is amazing. You’re like Britain’s beautiful, defiant yellow hat.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

The smell – seriously. That and the architecture, they should film a Batman movie there.

What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?


Blagging my way into a concert by pretending to be Scottish or the sake of thrift.

What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?


Good ones…that said they like the crap ones too if delivered with conviction. They love a trier.

Favourite joke?

“All I ask is the chance to PROVE that money can’t make me happy” – Spike x

Favourite Scottish food/drink?

I bloody love the pies at Piemaker on South Bridge. I have to actively stop myself from having three a day in lieu of all other nutrition 

See Angus Dunican: The Vanity Project at the Gilded Balloon Counting House from 3rd -28th August, 4.15pm. For tickets visit www.edfringe.com