Dane Baptiste discusses hopes, fears and deep fried anniversaries.
Tell us about your Fringe show
My new show is called Reasonable doubts and is about my doubts, hopes and fears; be they rational or irrational, personal, local and global.
Best thing about the Fringe?
Being at a festival where you don’t feel like music or film’s uglier, fatter sibling.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
The politics of art at the biggest arts festival are enormous. The critics, promoters, venues,
etc. Also the fact that expense that makes people go “Edinburgh show or house deposit?”
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This will be my fifth year which I believe is my deep fried digestive anniversary. I think 10th
is Mars Bar.
Favourite Fringe venue?
One that I’m performing at that has ‘SOLD OUT’ next to my name every day please!
Best Fringe memory?
Getting a nomination for Best Newcomer. I found out while I was standing at a ledge by an
open window, so definitely good for both me and liability insurers alike.
Best heckle?
It happened when a Stag party leader was ruining an entire night. I said: “You seem to be
the leader, what’s your name?” and he turned arrogantly to point at the title on his T-shirt
of ‘Sperm-Donor’ (Am I right ladies?) but he had spelt it as ‘Sperm-Doner’.
By the time he’d rotated 360 his status in the club had plummeted from top to bottom.
Craziest on stage experience?
I did a preview recently and as I started a banker fell down a flight of stairs; 2 nurses in the
audience did nothing. I thought: “I’m really making a difference” and that maybe I had
psychic powers? I didn’t… he was just drunk.
What’s on your rider?
A note saying: “Absolutely not from my manager and the venue/promoters.”
How do you wind down after a show?
Relentless self-criticism and then maybe a drink.
What do you love about Scotland?
Your allegiance to your currency. Apparently I have Scottish roots too? I love that you’re the
family that never wants to get in touch. They really understand me.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
Your insistence that I get some exercise whilst at your festival.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Once I bought an Irn-Bru bar to eat on the train, because I love them. I was in London too! Representing. You’re welcome.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
Ones that don’t insult them in an ignorant way. I know this now as well as the mosaic of
musical abilities bagpipes have.
Favourite joke?
Chris Rock has a joke about the fact that some people only get a 45 minute lunch break, but
you get an hour release in prison.
“Can I eat like a murderer please?”
Probably a big influence on me leaving my job.
Dane Baptiste will perform at Pleasance Courtyard from August 20-30.
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