Chris Betts discusses death threats, ghost stories and life as a bartender.
Tell us about your Fringe show
My show’s mostly a collection of things I’ve seen as a bartender. Things we’ve all seen in bars probably but since I was being paid to watch it I’ve thought about these things a lot more than most people. Like how and why fights happen, the only real difference between a stag do and a hen do. Things like that.
How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?
I’m excited to be doing my first hour. I’m curious about doing a show alone. In the last couple years (It’s not my very first time at the Fringe. Last year I was in the Pleasance Comedy Reserve and the year before that I was in a free fringe show with some friends.) I had as much fun trying to throw my friends off their sets by being weird in the back of the room as I did on stage so it’ll be odd to go it alone.
Best live act seen at Fringe?
Kim Noble. His show You Are Not Alone last year was the best thing I think I’ve ever seen live. And I saw Michael Jackson on his History tour.
Best thing about the Fringe?
It’s like summer camp. I go from show to show having fun doing stand up and in between I hang out with fun creative people. Add canoeing and ghost stories around a camp fire and I’d never leave.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
The third week. The first week is exciting, the second is good hard work and the fourth is all “I don’t give a damn about anything” freedom. But the third is a long hard slog. I think 70% of all time in Edinburgh takes place in that third week.
If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?
I’d be in Canada camping, canoeing and telling ghost stories around a campfire.
What do your family think of your show?
They haven’t seen it yet but I think they’ll like it. But there’s a some material about my sex life that I think my girlfriend doesn’t want to be in the room for when they come to see it. Actually part of me would rather be out of the room when they see it too.
How do you combat pre-gig nerves?
I get silly. The more nervous I am the more ridiculous I become to try to balance it. Years ago another comic grabbed a friend of mine who was panicking before a show, shook him by the shoulders and said “Hey. Comedy is fun. Have fun.” And somehow that made everything ok.
Worst on stage experience?
Death threats. Sometimes people don’t take what I’m saying well and shout things like “I’ll kill you” or the more specific “I’ll kill you after the show”. It’s weird because I’m not that aggressive an act. I guess that’s why they never follow through.
How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?
I don’t like having stock heckler lines, I spent my adult life behind bars so I’ve had plenty of practice making cocky idiots feel small in front their friends off the cuff.
What do you love about Scotland?
The people, the whisky, the staggeringly beautiful highlands and the fact that they let us come up to do the Fringe every year. Ass kiss complete. Also Robbie Burns.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
I haven’t really been there except for Fringe so I feel weird answering because it must be completely different the rest of the year. Other than the Fringe though from what I’ve seen it’s got the pace of life I like, gradual. It’s physically a beautiful city of course. And everything’s walking distance. They’ve got some of my favourite pubs in the UK so walking distance can be a very important part.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Two summers ago I was drinking Oban with some friends in the highlands while we cooked haggis on an open fire. I don’t know if that’s racist or not. Xenophobic maybe?
Who’s your favourite Scottish comedian?
All time? Billy Connelly. But currently Fern Brady. She’s great. Go see her show.
Favourite joke?
“You know who cares less about your problems than you do? Everybody.”- Darryl Lennox I heard it when I was eight during one of his tv sets and I think about it almost every day. It’s perfect. I laughed at it again just now.
Chris Betts will perform at Pleasance Courtyard on August 20-30.
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