Ally Houston on clowns, stage fright and demolishing hecklers.

Tell us about your Fringe show

The show begins with stand-up, but then my pet clown Shandy rears his head, and my abusive relationship with him is laid bare through the medium of song. It is his cry for freedom. Arthur’s seat will be alive with the clown of music.

How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?

After seeing my heroes play there, and having a taste of performing at it over the last few years, I am so excited to be through the looking glass this time. Knowing the level of arty encouragement that I feel when I’m there is making me almost burst with expectation.

Best live act seen at Fringe?

It was Liam Mullone in 2007 doing a show called In A Dead Man’s Hat. I’ve not laughed harder at the Fringe. It was bold and quiet and dark.

Best thing about the Fringe?

The best thing about the Fringe is the unexpected becoming the norm. Of course there are two men in leotards doing a dance called The Girl With The S****y Shoe, of course there is an evil looking revolutionary act called Red B*****d, of course there is a Congolese drum chorus waiting to cross the road with you. It’s dreamlike.

Worst thing about the Fringe?

The worst thing about the Fringe is its necessarily short lifespan. It feels like a mad burst of fertility, the clash and production of life, then, winter. It couldn’t be longer, but I want it to be.

If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?

I am doing a PhD in physics in Glasgow. I think that the comedian and music performer brain mode and physics brain mode are similar. You see patterns and move them about until they feel just right.

What do your family think of your show?

My family saw the show when it sold out at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. They really like it and are coming to see it again in Edinburgh. I think it gives them an insight into my abyss-gazing inner life that I don’t normally reveal. And who doesn’t like a laugh?

How do you combat pre-gig nerves?

I’ve got some poems memorised that I repeat to myself. Or I’ll chat to the other comics to take my mind off it, or I’ll jibber quietly going over what I want to say. I’m nervous before every gig.

Worst on stage experience?

In one of my first gigs, in front of a packed room, I dried up and forgot all of my jokes. I just stood still and stared with my mouth open. The compere gently took the mic from me and ushered me back to my seat. I was a traumatised mute for some time.

How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?

If the heckle’s funny, you get a free laugh. If it’s harmless, you get to banter with them. If they are obnoxious, you have to demolish them. The crowd knows straight away which category it is, and I think that coming up with something there and then is the best approach.

What do you love about Scotland?

Scotland has a natural beauty that doesn’t prepare you for its wit and anger.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is handsome and austere, and feminine, like a wimple. It looks grey so attracts the colourful. What it lacks in Glasgowness it makes up for in Edinburghness.

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

I was born in Scotland to a Scottish man and woman. That was really Scottish of me. Also, I eat haggis regularly, diary permitting.

Who’s your favourite Scottish comedian?

My favourite Scottish comedian is Billy Connolly. Nobody comes close. Deciding second place would be much harder.

Favourite joke?

My favourite joke is that Bob Monkhouse chestnut that says it all, “They laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. They’re not laughing now.”

Ally Houston will perform at Just the Tonic @ The Mash House from August 6-31.