Richard Gadd talks about his new show, Monkey See Monkey Do.
1 Tell us about your Fringe show
It’s going to be slightly different to previous years. Still high-concept, but it’s also going to reveal a little bit about myself – which is a nice challenge because I have absolutely no idea who I am. I can guarantee you fun. I cannot guarantee you structure.
2 Best thing about the Fringe?
The moment it ends.
3 Worst thing about the Fringe?
The moment it starts.
4 How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This is my eighth year and my fourth solo show. I vow never to go back every single year.
5 Favourite Fringe venue?
Banshee Labyrinth. It’s where I did Waiting For Gaddot and I have a lot of fond memories there. I look forward to going back.
6 Best Fringe memory?
Loads. But probably last year when Waiting For Gaddot was really taking off. The buzz was insane and the queues round the block. I have always tried exceptionally hard at my shows and produced the best possible work I could, but I never felt like I ever received proper recognition for them. The buzz was always elsewhere with other people. It was a sense when the reviews were coming out and the queues were round the block that eight hard years were finally paying off.
7 Best heckle?
I had just died live on Radio One and I had left the stage to a smattering of applause. Still to this day one of the worst gigs I have ever done. Fred McAuley comes back on and asks the audience to give “one of the breakthrough acts in the Scottish Comedy Scene a proper round of applause.” The heckle: “hardly f*****g breakthrough” – and they were right. Absolutely brutal.
8 Craziest on stage experience?
I got punched once during Breaking Gadd. Some guy clearly got offended in some way and decided his way of dealing with that was to try and punch me. Luckily I dodged it and he just caught my ear. A couple ice-cubes later and the whole thing was forgotten about.
9 What’s on your rider?
I would get arrested if I told you.
10 How do you wind down after a show?
I don’t. I stare at the ceiling waiting for the adrenaline to wear off which is usually about midday the next day when it’s time to do another show all over again. I am a tremendously bad sleeper and I don’t drink much so I cannot rely on booze to relax me. I just accept that I spend the month of August like a tightly coiled spring.
11 What do you love about Scotland?
Everything – “home is where the heart is.” I miss it so much. I love the culture, the friendliness, the left-leaning politics, the fresh air, the mountains, the list is endless. The only thing I don’t miss is the weather.
12 What do you like about Edinburgh?
The eleven months a year when the festival isn’t on.
13 What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Eating so poorly that I will die around 40?
14 What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
Usually jokes about being Scottish and living in Scotland i.e. not mine.
15 Favourite joke?
I would get arrested if I told you.
16 Favourite Scottish food/drink?
IRN BRU and an IRN BRU bar. I’m not even joking...
Richard Gadd: Monkey See Monkey Do is on at the Banshee Cinema, until August 28, 9.45pm. For tickets visit www.edfringe.com
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