Ian Smith discusses Postman Pat, Mother India and punching watermelons on stage.

Tell us about your Fringe show

My Fringe show is an energetic, conversational, sometimes shouty hour of me talking about moving house and the overwhelming nature of the internet. There’s also some bits about Postman Pat, Berocca and I don’t think it spoils it to say two of the punchlines are ‘…Julie?’ and ‘…Sandra!’

Best thing about the Fringe?

Mother India. Best Indian restaurant in the world. I hope that one day my contact endorsements will earn me a free meal.

Worst thing about the Fringe?

The stress and the rain. I usually wear Converse which really get drenched and it goes straight through to the socks. Also, when it’s so windy my umbrella inverts. Always funny to watch when it happens to someone else though.

How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

This is my third solo show. But, I did three years of package shows and splitting hours with other comics. Before that I did a week and a half run in a University play, cast as a pervy member of a jury.

Favourite Fringe venue?

I have a soft spot for all the venues I’ve done my solo shows in. Besides those, the Queen Dome at the Pleasance Dome is my dream venue to perform in. The Stand is brilliant, The Tron is a great basement comedy venue and anything that isn’t a bus or a yurt in the middle of a beer garden is good.

Best Fringe memory?

I saw one of my favourite musicians at a gig and said hello to him. Two days later he’d tweeted me with a reference to my show. He’d come along to watch it and I didn’t know. Made my day.

Best heckle?

When I did my first solo show, two people fell asleep during the run. Both during the same gig. Different ends of the room. That’s a sort of heckle.

Craziest on stage experience?

Punching watermelons on stage at Late ’n’ Live.

What’s on your rider?

A 35p energy drink. Is it a rider if you have to buy it yourself though?

How do you wind down after a show?

I usually go for a pint in Brooke’s Bar. Sleeping is also good. Mother India?

What do you love about Scotland?

I have lots of memories of coming to Scotland from when I was a kid - my favourite place to go is Aberdeen, to see family and to spend too much money trying to win toys at the amusements. Near the Scottish border there is a pub called the First/Last Inn Scotland - depending on which way your travelling. They’ve really nailed having a good pub name.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

The city is beautiful. The beach is a short taxi ride away. Tablet. Have I mentioned Mother India? The best Indian restaurant in the world.

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

Having a Scottish Mum and a Dad who is half Scottish.

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

I don’t think there’s a real difference, but I think Fringe audiences are a bit more open to something a bit different, they’re probably a bit more ‘comedy savvy’.

Favourite joke?

When you’re cutting a cake and ask how big a slice someone wants - but pretend you meant the rest of cake. It’s very niche and doesn’t really come across in writing but it’s a lot of fun. You also need to be in a situation where you’re cutting a cake for someone. The time will come.

Ian Smith will perform Whereabouts at Pleasance Courtyard from August 10-17 and 19-30.