Fringe Q&As: Michael Patrick on his new show, My Left Nut, the contrast between Belfast and Edinburgh and blacksmithing

It's “the true story of a Belfast boy growing up with no father to guide him through and a giant ball to weigh him down”. So it's a one-man show where I talk about the time I had testicular surgery as a teenager, when doctors drained 400ml of liquid from my swollen testicle. But it's also about me coming to terms with my father’s death, he died when I was very young. So those two threads play out through the show, me accepting my own illness by coming to terms with my father's death. But it's also a very silly comedic play about teenagers and growing up. I play myself, my mother, my brothers and sisters and all my friends from school. It's a lot of fun.

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

I am so excited, I absolutely cannot wait. I've been up visiting the Fringe loads, and I’m always in awe of the amount of incredible work being made, and the fantastic atmosphere all round the city. To be a part of all that is a real privilege.

• Why did you decide to perform at the Fringe?

We premiered the show at the Dublin Fringe last year, and got an absolutely incredible response. The play was really designed as a Fringe show, so of course after Dublin we set our eyes on Edinburgh. So excited to be a part of the whole experience, see as many shows as possible, and tell everyone how brilliant my mother is (a lot of the play is about my mum being amazing).

• If you were not a performer what would you be doing?

Well my degree was in material science and Metallurgy. So I'd like to think I'd be doing something cool like blacksmithing. But in reality I'd probably be teaching.

• How do you prepare for a performance?

By eating far far too much peanutbutter.

• Best/worst advice you’ve been given ahead of your debut show?

I've been getting two sets of advice, either a) pace myself or b) throw myself into it completely and just sleep in September. We'll have to wait and see which way I go in the end.

• Favourite thing about being in Edinburgh?

I love the fact you can see the hills from most places in the city. It reminds me of Belfast like that, which I absolutely love. And the fact that the stone for the cobblestones on the royal mile was apparently taken from the Mountains of Mourne - it's like having a piece of home beneath your feet. I do feel that Edinburgh is similar to Belfast, except you spell whiskey wrong and you have a (slightly) more functional devolved government.

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

When I travel to England from Belfast I always make a point of bringing as many Northern Irish bank notes with me as possible, so I can force reluctant English shopkeepers and taxi drivers to take them. Its great craic. I know a lot of my scottish mates do the same with bank of Scotland notes.

• Favouite Scottish food/drink?

The last time I visited Edinburgh there was a wee cafe, couldn't tell you the name of it, it was near the Playhouse. It did the most incredible haggis and egg bap. Best hangover cure ever.

• Sum up your show in three words

Hilarious. Heartbreaking. Balls

Show summary

400ml. That's how much liquid was drained from Michael's left testicle when he was a teenager. More than a can of coke. He should have told someone sooner, but who could he turn to? His dad died ten years ago and besides, school is full of rumours about what the giant bulge in his trousers actually is. Who wants to stop that? The true story of a Belfast boy growing up with no father guiding him through and a giant ball to weigh him down. 

Michael Patrick performs in Prime Cut Productions show, My Left Nut, at Summerhall - Red Lecture Theatre, from August 4 - 26 (except Mondays).

For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com​

You can follow Prime Cut Productions on Twitter via @prime_cut and visit their website at https://www.primecutproductions.co.uk and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PrimeCutProductions