EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Francesco De Carlo

Tell us a bit about Comfort Zone.

In the last few years I worked hard to realise my lifelong dream: to leave Italy and come to the UK to be an international comedian. But as soon as I decided to leave, the UK decided to leave Europe. No panic. Now I'm in the best place to be: outside of my comfort zone. It's the perfect situation in which to discover who I really am. The show will be about how good it is to leave our comfort zones to change your ideas and grow up, as a man and as a citizen of the world.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

The Fringe festival is the best way to talk to the world. In times in which many societies are closing themselves off, I believe that it's crucial to engage with new people and exchange ideas about the future. Art, in every form, has always allowed humanity to show a way out of the mud and comedy is a good way to laugh at it. So, for me, the Fringe will be a good opportunity to offer my point of view, and most of all, to receive a lot of good influences from people coming from different cultures.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

At the age of 38 I suddenly found myself as a foreigner. In Italy people are "scared" of immigrants, because they will "steal our jobs," but when an Italian comes to the UK, he becomes an immigrant itself. So, I'm in a special position, I can see the immigration problem from both sides, I can teach Advanced Xenophobia in some of your prestigious universities. But I don't want to steal the job of a British professor...

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

I studied Political Science in Rome and worked for the European Parliament for four years, but politics made me feel so disappointed that I completely changed my life to become a comedian. Today I'm starting to feel that I want to be more engaged, because I feel that politics is deeply affecting our lives. But it's very hard to leave the sofa, to stop watching documentaries on Netflix and to start a new committed life. So, if you feel the same, find the will to come to the show and we can talk about it and help each other.

Are there any other performances you're hoping to catch at the festival?

I think that stand-up has a special opportunity to comment on the social changes during this historic era we are living in, from Brexit to international topics. I'm very curious to see how stand up comedians are working on these subjects, and this year I can't wait to see Sara Pascoe and Dane Baptiste and obviously Tommy Tiernan, who is one of my favourite comedians ever.

Timings and ticket information for Francesco De Carlo are available on the edfringe website.

Photo Credit: Snej Shandarinova