Damien Warren-Smith’s debut solo show, Garry Starr Performs Everything, is on at Underbelly Cowgate, Iron Belly, during August.
- What is your Fringe show about?
Garry Starr Performs Everything is about a disgraced and disgruntled Shakespearean actor who, upon being fired from the Royal Shakespeare Company, takes it upon himself to single-handedly save the performing arts by performing every genre of theatre known to man.
- How many times/many years have you appeared at the Fringe?
This will be my fourth time performing at the Fringe but my first with a solo show. The first show I ever did was a dark comedy about a science lab that gets infected by a parasite and turns everyone into rabid dogs. I had Branston Chunk Pickle smeared all over me every night to look like faeces.
- What’s your most memorable moment from the Fringe?
Without a doubt my most memorable moment was getting up on stage at the end of Spank and taking my clothes off to pitch my show (as part of their ‘naked promo’ slot) before being snogged by someone as I walked off stage then sleeping on a bus because I couldn’t find my way home. I’m not drinking this year.
- What’s the worst thing about the Fringe?
The worst thing about the Fringe is that so few artists actually make a profit, yet there is no shortage of people taking advantage of their desperation to be noticed. The other worst thing is trying to cross the Royal Mile in a hurry.
- If you were not a performer what would you be doing?
If I weren’t a performer I’d like to work with dogs. I have no idea what form that would take but dogs bring me endless joy.
- How do you prepare for a performance?
I don’t have a set ritual, but I do thoroughly clean my private parts (you’ll thank me when you see my show). Otherwise I just do bit of stretching, warm up my voice and think of something new and fun I’d like to try.
- Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?
My favourite thing about being in Edinburgh is being surrounded by so many people who absolutely love the arts and want nothing more than to see it thrive. I also love the buildings and the smell that Auld Reekie emits.
- What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve ever done?
Although I grew up in Australia I was actually born in Inverness so I reckon that’s the most Scottish thing I’ve ever done; be born there. A few weeks ago, I was best man at a wedding in the Kingdom of Fife. I wore a kilt whilst drinking whisky and telling jokes about the English. That was also pretty Scottish.
- Favourite Scottish food/drink?
I can’t say haggis because that’s my dog’s name and he’d get upset but I did have the best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted in Anstruther many years ago. I’m also partial to a bit of tablet.
- Sum up your show in three words
Anarchic & belly-achingly funny (if I put a hyphen it becomes one word, right?).
Show summary
A hilarious new physical comedy about overambition and underachievement from Damien Warren-Smith and director Cal McCrystal.
Damien Warren-Smith’s debut solo show, Garry Starr Performs Everything, is on at Underbelly Cowgate, Iron Belly, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
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