Yianni Agisilaou performs his new stand-up show, I, Human at Pleasance 10 Dome, during August.
- What is your Fringe show about?
Well I’m glad you asked. It’s a delightful, satirical romp through the cutting edge of technology today. Whether it’s Facebook hoovering up your data, people having sexual relationships with robots or what Artificial Intelligence means for the future of work, these are questions that affect us all. It’s been honed during the festival season in Australia so it’s very tight and very funny.
- How many times/many years have you appeared at the Fringe?
This will be the twelfth time I’ve been up for the whole month. Or the sixteenth time I’ve appeared at all. If I hadn’t already lived in the UK for long enough to get indefinite leave to remain, I’d almost have fulfilled the time requirements just in Edinburgh Fringes!
- What’s your most memorable moment from the Fringe?
I booked the largest venue in Edinburgh in 2013 as part of my show ‘Think Big’ and spent ALL MONTH trying to sell it out. I didn’t, but I sold more tickets than I have to any one show before or since. That was pretty cool.
- What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?
The fact that you’re around so many of your favourite people, but everyone’s too busy to catch up! Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Actually, scratch that. People drink A LOT.
- If you were not a performer what would you be doing?
Finding my personality foibles less excusable? I think I’d like to do something technical but still with human contact. Maybe I wouldn’t mind being one of those Apple geniuses (should I capitalise ‘Genius’? I mean you capitalize ‘God’ and Apple is one of our modern religion replacements. C’mon, their logo IS an apple with a bite taken out of it) 6 How do you prepare for a performance?
I think of the funniest thing I can, like someone who owes me money whacking their shin on a bed frame. Nothing terrible mind, not fatal, but uncomfortable. Then I try to walk on stage holding that subversive sense in my gut and bring that silly, slightly sharp-edged energy to my performance.
- Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?
The stress, the pressure, the fact that it’s like a one month long emotional plank. There are so many things that my masochism LOVES about Edinburgh. My heart on the other hand loves the no-nonsense Scottish people, the beautiful scenery and driving up to the Highlands for the natural splendor afterwards.
- What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve ever done?
I voted ‘Remain’. Amongst scores of Englishmen who disagreed.
- Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Well I do love a nice smooth Scotch, although (please don’t killme, please don’t kill me) I do like it on the rocks. Foodwise, a few years ago I was walking down Grove Street and saw a chalkboard promising ‘life changing bacon rolls’ Being a sceptic, I walked in to be greeted by the proprietor, Simon. I demanded one and well, let’s say, my life has never been the same again.
- Sum up your show in three words
Humanity via technology.
Show summary
Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master. An hour of analogue, human-written jokes on how humans and technology are changing each other.
Yianni Agisilaou performs his new stand-up show, I, Human at Pleasance 10 Dome, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
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