EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Nathan Willcock
By: Natalie O'Donoghue Jul. 06, 2017
Tell us a bit about State of Nathan.
State of the Nathan is my first show, its about how I don't know what I'm doing with my life and how that worries me. But it's also about what this country is becoming/could become. There's been so many massive political events recently and so many mad things going on in the world that in this show I try to sort of make sense of it all. I talk big themes such as Brexit, being a millennial and privilege but there's also a bit about my foreskin, so something for everyone. Even that weird guy who likes foreskins loads.
Why bring it to Edinburgh?
I've wanted to take an hour long show to Edinburgh since I started performing comedy 7 years ago. It's so great that it exists, there's nothing like the Edinburgh Fringe anywhere else on earth. I've never been able to make it up for the full run due to work/money commitments before so this year I'm really excited. The stand up I enjoy most is when it's people's hour long shows, there's a real art to it, they're like albums to me. There's something so exciting about going to see a show in Edinburgh, and having no idea what you're going to get. It's great to take the audience on a journey whether that be by telling a personal story or putting a napkin on your face and singing. (I happen to do both those things.)
What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?
My show is the only show on the fringe to mainly talk about, and look at things from the viewpoint of, Nathan Willcock. It's a niche market which I'm hoping to exploit. No one else has the balls to write a show like this. Also half of my show is about the current state of British politics and as we all know that is in flux at the moment, it changes so fast and is so utterly crazy and unpredictable that I'm fully prepared that come mid-August I could be doing material about Dave Benson Phillips becoming head of the IMF, Britain being at war with Bolivia and Theresa May openly feasting on the blood of newborns live on TV.
What are the benefits of performing at the Free Fringe?
It allows both artists and performer to take a punt on a show, try out things they might not have if they had to pay to get in. Only an idiot would pay £18 to see me, a nobody, but hopefully with the Free Fringe people can give me a chance, like me and then give me some money at the end. It's a real honest way of performing.
Who would you recommend comes to see you?
Everyone. I know little about marketing but I think it'd be foolish of me to say something like 'only people called Clive can see my show.' I hope, literally, everyone who is in Edinburgh in August between the 7th-27th August comes to see my show, i'd consider anything less a failure. If you're reading this by the way I especially want you to come because I think you're great, I like what you've done with your hair. It's on at 12pm so its on before anything else starts, there's no excuse. The only excuse i'd accept is if you've read this interview and thought 'this guy seems a bit of a prick, and that comment about my hair was a bit creepy' you don't have to come. Everyone else though, please come.
Timings and ticket information for Nathan Willcock: State of Nathan can be found on the edfringe website.
Photo credit: Steve Ullathorne
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