Keith Farnan discusses the death penalty, Anonymous and being upstaged by a moth.
Tell us about your Fringe show
My show’s called Anonymous and it’s about trying to figure out why we don’t really care that our personal data is being collected by governments and companies via our gadgets and email accounts. Yes, there are jokes.
Best thing about the Fringe?
You discover something that excites you every year.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
Someone or something always disappoints you.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
Seven years. Still no itch though.
Favourite Fringe venue?
Any room with a nice audience.
Best Fringe memory?
My first ever show was about the death penalty and the taxi driver told me a great story about Deacon Brodie building the gallows in Edinburgh, and then was executed himself on it, which ended along the lines of “If you build it, they will come, and hang you.” It ended up in the show.
Best heckle?
In the middle of a tricky show (for tricky, read, I was tanking it, but bravely continuing on),a moth landed on me. Got a laugh, flew off. Landed on me again. Round of applause. My put down killed it.
Craziest on stage experience?
See Above. Also, any time I do a late night show called Spank!.
What’s on your rider?
A confused horse. Does that even work as a joke? Nothing is the short answer. Too polite to be of any trouble.
How do you wind down after a show?
I usually do another gig and stay wound. And then crash.
What do you love about Scotland?
You never know what to expect, the people, the weather, and whatever’s in the batter.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The first time I went to Edinburgh, it snowed and it was beautiful. I remember for the first and only time since I was a teenager trying to write poetry and Edinburgh had the decency not to tell anyone about that.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Depends on how you define Scottish. I’m always wary of something like that, imagining what someone would say if asked what was the most Irish thing you’ve ever done. Let’s just say I’ve had a drink or two, complained about the weather and made a dark and inappropriate joke all in the same breath.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
They like it when you’re fearless about any subject, but not to the point of being a complete tool.
Favourite joke?
Mitch Hedberg – I saw a wino eating grapes. I was like, dude, you have to wait.
Keith Farnan will perform at Underbelly on August 6-17, 19-24 and 26-30.
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