EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Show Up
Tell us a bit about Show Up.
Show Up is an improvised, one-man show about the audience's enlightening and sh*te life experiences. I basically collect these life-changing moments like a revelation, a crazy family and childhood thing, a weird love life thing, etc. from the crowd, and then turn it all into a spoof of a typical one-man/storytelling show. While gathering this info, I also share info and stories about my own life and my social anxiety and depression challenges...it's a comedy! Oh, and there's a party.
Is it possible to prepare for a show that has such a high level of audience participation?
Well, the show wouldn't exist without the input of the audience. The only prep I have is making sure my improv partner (my brain) is ready to say "yes, and..." to wherever the story is going.
What sets it apart from other shows at the festival?
It's a totally different show every night! Many one-person shows are sort of a catharsis for the performer, but Show Up becomes a catharsis for the audience. People seem to really want to share their experiences and the crazier their lives are, the funnier the show becomes.
What are the benefits of performing at the Free Festival?
There is a real sense of family at Laughing Horse. This is my fourth show working with Alex Petty and the Free Festival and I've made some great, inspiring friends working there. We enjoy seeing and supporting each others' shows. We're all in the same boat. We're all working in unusual spaces. We all ask our punters for money. And I think we all have a lot of interesting material that's both thought-provoking and funny.
I've produced in paid venues, and enjoyed it, but there's just something special about not knowing how many tickets you've sold and literally grabbing punters who are leaving one show to stay in the building and see another ...and another.
Who would you recommend comes to see Show Up?
Anyone who doesn't normally like solo shows, and anyone who does. Anyone who normally doesn't like improv, and anyone who does. Anyone who has social anxiety or depression. Anyone who likes seeing a performer walk a dangerous tightrope that isn't 20 feet in the air. And anyone who wants to see their own life on stage. As I tell my potential punters, "Bring me your worst. The crappier your life is, the funnier my show is."
Timings and ticket information for Show Up are available on the edfringe website.
Photo Credit: Alicia Levy
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