Fringe Q&As: Adrienne Truscott on hugging Steve Coogan and hitting an audience member with her shoe

Well, after my last show, I wondered if I was a comedian finally?! Or 'just' a feminist performance artist? Maybe I should put my 'gimmicks' (read: vagina) away and get on with the jokes! So I'm wrestling with the art of standing up and telling jokes. But I can't help myself so there are more gimmicks, more nudity and more clothes, more shenanigans and, well, more.  In a sometimes-naked hour-long wrestle with jokes, performance art, irony, hookers, comedians, a dress and someone from the audience. It's a bout of absurdist fun with the absolute worst beginning I could think of and a big messy ridiculous call back of an ending.

Best thing about the Fringe?

The artists. Always and forever.

Worst thing about the Fringe?

Withdrawal. A many tentacled beast. There's always and only hitting the 'withdrawal' button at the ATM. Also, the withdrawal, from equal amounts friends and booze, that awaits in September.

How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

Since 2004! The Wau Wau Sisters have been coming most years since. This is my third year as a solo buffoon!

Favourite Fringe venue?

Whichever one I'm in. Or whichever one has a bar. I probably will never beat the memories of doing my first solo show at Bob's Bookshop in 2013.

Best Fringe memory?

The morning I rode my bike in the previous night's clothes, make-up, wig glue, sweat, eyelashes and booze, still boozy and woozy and without sleep yet, across the meadows with my friend because Bob Slayer had called me just as I had finally walked in my door to tell me to put on a frock because Steve Coogan was going to give me something...I honestly had no idea what was going on or that I was heading to the Fosters' Awards ceremony, or for what reason. I just grabbed a champagne upon arrival and kept drinking until I figured out what the hell was going on. I never put on a frock but hugged Coogan for as long as he let me.

Best heckle?

Referring to my tits: "I've seen bigger lumps in a bowl of oatmeal." It was from a homeless gentleman. Does that count as a heckle? It felt like a really good one. I burst out laughing.

Craziest on stage experience?

This is crazy in the 'kooky' department. But what comes to mind this morning is my first year there, The Wau Wau Sisters were doing a show. There was a very old man with a very beautiful grin, laughing out loud in the first row. As part of our choreography I did a high kick, my kith heel flew off and hit him in the head mid-laugh and he fell off the chair. Hilarious and terrible.

What’s on your rider?

Besides the actual technical needs...Tequila, Champagne, local bikini wax and a technician who is comfortable with a naked lady.

How do you wind down after a show?

On a big night with drinks and all the dancing I can find. On a 'mature' night, with a glass of wine and a bath.

What do you love about Scotland?

Those lush green rolling hills ain't bad either.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

Castles, cobblestones and the long and macabre history. As an American our sense of Anglo history is much shorter - we seem like obnoxious teenagers who have barely done a thing.

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

Eaten home-made haggis and refused to wear knickers under my kilt.

What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?

Clever world play seems to be the way to their hearts.

They don't seem as crazy about audience participation here. Is that true? If so, then there is none in my show!

Favourite joke?

The one that's making me laugh at any given moment. Like that saying, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with. Does that work for jokes too?

Andrienne Truscott will perform at the Gilded Balloon from August 6-17.