Sofie Hagen discusses mental institutions, car chases and being a teenage celebrity in Denmark.

Tell us about your Fringe show

I was a silly teenager and recently my past kind of caught up with me. So the show happened way before I had decided to do the hour - suddenly I just had a whole story I needed to tell. About me being a minor celebrity in Denmark as a 13-year old. About being in a carchase. About being in a mental institution.

How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?

Incredible. It will be a month-long bootcamp and I'm sure I'll have at least 10 minor breakdowns but I can't wait and I wish it started yesterday.

Best live act seen at Fringe?

I have to say Chris Dangerfield's show last year. It was my first time seeing him and I was absolutely blown away.

Best thing about the Fringe?

Everything is in walking distance. No one goes home at 11pm because the tube is closing.

Worst thing about the Fringe?

You will never get to see or do all the things you want to see and do. There is just too much fun to be had - and too few hours in the day.

If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?

If comedy had never happened, I would have probably stayed at my old job, which was in fundraising for charity organisations. I probably would have been somewhere in Africa doing good - instead I just spent what could have saved the lives of thousands of children on doing jokes for an hour.

What do your family think of your show?

There was a point in the show where I accidentally kept referring to myself as an only child which really pissed off my sister. My brother thought it was 'peculiar' and neither of my parents have seen it - nor have they got intentions to see it.

How do you combat pre-gig nerves?

An older and way more experienced comedian was about to go on stage, and I asked him if he was nervous. He said, "No. This is the one thing in the world that I can actually do. I can't be nervous." and whenever I'm nervous I try and tell myself just that: This is it. It's what I do.

Worst on stage experience?

Any gig I do to children. And I do quite a few of them. Performing for children is like performing in front of 30+ egos that are larger than your own. It's a battle for attention. I hate them. And I will keep doing them until I enjoy them.

How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?

Heckling is a tricky one for me - I am Danish so my immediate thought will usually be in Danish. And even though it only takes me a split second to translate it into English in my head, often, the momentum will be gone and it will sound weird if I say something. I have to be in a particularly confident state of mind - and be thinking in English for it to have a chance of being successful.

What do you love about Scotland?

Can I say 'the accent'? I was once flirted with by a guy from Glasgow and he asked me to come to his place, but due to the accent, it sounded like a threat so I ran away.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

It's the one place on earth from where I can send a post-card to my grandmother, and she would actually be impressed. It is just so beautiful.

What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

I religiously try and deep-fry everything I ever eat. Does that count? Deepfried cucumber was a big success.

Who’s your favourite Scottish comedian?

I am going to say Larry Dean. He is an up-and-coming young comedian and I simply adore him.

Favourite joke?

There is a joke about a man who has an orange for a head. Pester every single comedian you ever meet and maybe someday someone will tell it to you and you will feel massively underwhelmed.

Sofie Hagen will perform at the Liquid Room Annexe from today until August 31.