John Robins speaks to HeraldScotland about chip shop sauce, work parties and coming across as a self-involved tool.
Tell us about your Fringe show
My show is about love, about how happiness is a difficult thing to write comedy about, and why Stewart Lee should wind his neck in
Best thing about the Fringe?
I think the best thing is knowing that my show is what I want to talk about, on my terms. I don't have to make any concessions to stag dos, work parties, promoters I want to book me again. It's just me on a plate!
Worst thing about the Fringe?
I think the Fringe brings out the best and worst in people, myself included. You never come as face to face with quite what a self-involved tool you can be than at 3am in a bar after a bad review!
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This is my tenth trip to the Fringe. I just counted that on my fingers and it made me gasp. This is my sixth solo show. Wow.
Favourite Fringe venue?
That's a good question. I'd like to play The Cabaret Bar at The Pleasance again one day. But the Tron is a great room for stand-up, and The Stand One.
Best Fringe memory?
Endless nights in unending bars with some of the very best people I've ever met.
Best heckle?
I do not accept heckles in Edinburgh, unless they are funny enough for me to put in the show the next day.
Craziest on stage experience?
Nude, 1am, regret
What's on your rider?
As shows cost about £8,000 to perform a rider would seem a little outrageous. My agent would certainly veto that. However, if I was a rock star it would be sixteen cans of Guinness, two bottles of Cpt Morgan dark rum. 24 cans of ice-cold diet coke. Ice. Two packs of Lucky Strike Blue. A vinyl copy of Astral Weeks. Record Player. Bliss
How do you wind down after a show?
See above…
What do you love about Scotland?
The sauce you get with chips. It's basically heroin to me.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
I have so many memories in every street. I've spent more time in Edinburgh than in some houses I've lived! I like the walk into my show (but I hate the smell of hops from the brewery!)
What's the most Scottish thing you've done?
Bought six bottles of sauce from a chip shop (2013)
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
A Scottish crowd like funny jokes, like anyone. Sometimes, though, they really surprise me, their willingness to try shows out they know nothing about and be wonderfully polite even if they think it's shite.
Favourite joke?
Man goes in a fruit shop.
John Robins' new stand-up show 'THIS TORNADO LOVES YOU' will be at the Pleasance Courtyard from 30th July - 24th August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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