Interview with singer songwriter Nick Court, the iDiOT CIRCUS

the iDiOT CIRCUS are performing their debut at Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. 

Interview with singer songwriter Nick Court, the iDiOT CIRCUS

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Hello! My name is Nick, and I’m the singer songwriter for a dark cabaret band called ‘the iDiOT CIRCUS’. We’re four guys who play instruments, sing, wear hats, waistcoats, face paint and some of us, sometimes, wear furry trousers.

How would you describe your show?

We play 50 mins of original songs and existential banter on themes like loneliness, drunkenness, revolution, getting lost up a hill and death.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

I’ve no answer for this question other than the obvious: It’s one of the biggest and well-know festivals in the world.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

We’ve never played it before, and I’ve never visited the festival before, so I don’t think I am the authority to go to.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

I’m from a family of builders, and strangely I found working outside in the rain, moving bricks and wet concrete brought an unusually strong motivation to wear wigs and tights and shout in the evenings. 

How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?

It can’t help but have an impact. But, I don’t think I could explain it to you without degenerating into some pompous self-referential pile of tosh, even my mother wouldn’t be interested in, so I’ll spare you and refer you to the show.

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

My parents took me to a production of Pinocchio. It was dark, and scary and I remember having a thought right then, that I wanted to be involved in that world in some way.

If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

I would love to be an historian, but I’d most likely be moving around concrete or bricks in the rain.

Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?

Honestly, no.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

LA, dogs, wife, ukulele,

Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?

I don’t ‘subscribe’ to ‘Cancel Culture’ at all, it seems to be an odd kind of sport for some people, and I don’t like sport.

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

I’m a dangerously committed David Bowie fan. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?

Do something you love, I suppose and be prepared to lose your shirt.

When and where can people see your show?

8:55PM, daily @ The Piccolo Tent, Assembly George Square Gardens

And where can people find, follow and like you online?

We’re on the ‘Gram. (https://www.instagram.com/theidiotcircus/

The Idiot Circus: Death is Coming is performing at Assembly George Square Gardens at 8:55pm from 3-28 August. For tickets and information visit edfringe.com

Header Image Credit: Melissa Stephens

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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