Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
I’m an actor and comedian. I’ve also been a soldier, a firefighter, and an EMT. Mostly I’m a dad.
So, when my daughter was born, I decided to focus my comedy on family audiences.
I’ve been making people laugh professionally for 30 years. Fifteen years ago, I decided to take my comedy skills and apply them to a different audience. Too much theatre for families condescends to children and bores their parents. Kids love intelligent, honest, comedy. And it is so refreshing for the adults in the audience that they laugh harder than the kids. So, that’s what I do. And it works. They appreciate it.And it’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.
How would you describe your show?
Character-driven comedy. I create a character, they interact with the audience, and the comedy flows from those interactions. It’s heartfelt and true and comes from the moment, and I love every minute of it.
Doktor Kaboom is larger-than-life character-driven comedy wrapped around absurd science and lessons in personal empowerment. The character is Doktor Kaboom, a German physicist with spiky bleached hair and wearing chrome goggles, an orange labcoat, and motorcycle boots. He is passionate about both the subject and the audience and it shows throughout. I absolutely adore every moment I get to be him.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
It has been a career-long dream. Edinburgh Fringe is the pinnacle of the Fringe Festival movement. So many amazing performers, audiences, and shows from all over the world, millions of people who all love live performance! All celebrating it in one city for one month. The very thought of it gives me goosebumps. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?
What differentiates it from other festivals?
I think the level it is embraced by the audiences is its primary distinction. The people of Scotland, as well as the rest of the UK, have really turned out, year after year, to support it. There are fringes all over the world. Only Edinburgh has become such a living, breathing, entity of its own. And that can only happen when the audience decides to give it Life.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I’ve always loved making people laugh, class clown and all that. But what really drew me was the promise of a life of unique experiences. I wanted the ability to travel, to explore, and the freedom to do something different should I ever get bored.
Inspirations? Oh, my, so many! Peter Sellers, Carol Burnette, Steve Martin, Michael Palin, Bob Newhart, Lucille Ball, the list goes on and on. Oh, and Carl Sagan! Sagan’s efforts in science education changed my worldview.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
My dad was a photographer and a poet. I saw in his work that one could express their own thoughts and dreams in ways that were beautiful, yet extremely personal.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I remember a huge sculpture in the town where I was raised. About the size of a lorry, it was completely abstract and it fascinated me. I spent years coming back to it in my mind, trying to sort it out. Years later I went back, I still couldn’t understand what it represented or was supposed to “mean”. I’ve never even decided if I like it, but the fact that it flew into my head, again, the moment you asked this question tells me it certainly made an impression.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I would likely give travel writing a shot. Seeing the world and interacting with its people is among my favorite ways to spend time.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
The shutdowns were very difficult for me. I tried to make online performance work, but I just couldn’t get my heart in it without getting overwhelmed by the details. I was able to do some streaming events for corporate gigs, and I created online content for schools which is still being bought and used, but for a lot of it, I have to admit I shut down a bit, myself.
I did learn a great deal about making my own video work, editing, graphics design, etc, and that is definitely informing how I think about new work, today. My focus has always been on the live show and the audience, in that exact moment. I will never let that go, it’s what thrills me, but I’m trying to think and work beyond those terms, as well.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
No seat belt, hold on!
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
Artistic expression shouldn’t be stifled. We don’t have to like something, can even be disgusted by it, but we should let that expression exist. To do otherwise is to make it fester and grow into something horrible.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Napoleon Bonaparte. As a sketch comedy duo, but he’s always in uniform. I imagine he’d be the perfect straight man. Every sketch would end with him getting angry and storming off to invade the dressing room.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Ask others who believe in you to help. Then let them.
When and where can people see your show?
“Doktor Kaboom and the Wheel of Science!” is on every day at 12:00 at the Pleasance Courtyard, 3 - 21 August.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
Most of the major social media site, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc. All under the moniker Doktor Kaboom.
And the show’s site, www.DoktorKaboom.com
Doktor Kaboom! will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Beyond at 12pm for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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