Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Alright, I’m Liam. I’m a stand up comedian from Glasgow. I’ve been doing stand up since I was 17, I’m 24 now and I really need to start paying into a pension scheme.
How would you describe your show?
I would say it’s a show about becoming a father, the difficulties of that which is even more tricky once you become one at 21. It’s about growing up, relationships and letting go. It’s also funny, which is arguably the most important part about a comedy show.
What is your favourite part of your show?
There’s a joke about Lilo and Stitch, my daughter loves Lilo and Stitch so I wrote a joke about it. I don’t think she’d get the joke right now because she’s 2 but maybe she’ll get it when she’s older and think it’s funny.
If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Ms. Jackson - Outkast. It’s a tune and I’m a big fan of Outkast. It’s about Andrea 3000’s relationship with his son and his ex. I read an article about the writing of it, it was really interesting, and I liked how his aim with it was never to get revenge or belittle anyone, it was just to say how he felt. His ex and her mother (Ms. Jackson) both liked the song as well so it ended well for everyone too.
Are there any particular themes or messages you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
Think it’s always hard to know what themes people are going to take from your show. I’m a stand up so I write what I think is funny rather than a broader theme, you’re always just hoping they walk away thinking that was a laugh. But I’m trying to be more personal with this show so I think the theme would probably be perseverance.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe? What differentiates it from other festivals?
It’s one of the festivals closest to my house. And obviously it’s the biggest and best arts festival in the world and that. It’s a real showcase of stand up as well which is the area I’m focused on so it’s a festival that’s beneficial to me in many different ways.
How does performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe compare to other festivals or venues you've experienced?
It’s longer than most of the other festivals, which I think is a good thing. You can work on the same show pretty much everyday for a month, so you can really work out all the ins and outs and make small changes to it everyday which usually leads to the show just getting stronger and stronger
How has your experience at past Fringes influenced or changed your approach to this year's performance?
I just know what to expect, it’s about pacing yourself and not getting too high or too low with everything. The Fringe can be really draining and you will go mental if you buy into all the nonsense of it.
What is your favourite thing to do in Edinburgh when you're not performing? How do you relax and look after your mental health?
I go to a place called Oink, it does amazing pulled pork and it’s my favourite place in Edinburgh. But most of the time I try to get out of Edinburgh and spend time with my girlfriend, my daughter and dogs.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about taking a show up to Edinburgh?
Just have fun, most of what you do is probably not going to matter anyway. You can chase reviews and awards, the likelihood is you’re not getting them, just make sure the people coming to see the show enjoy it and you enjoy it, it’ll all turn out alright.
What is one thing you would change about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
How expensive everything is getting. It feels the festival is getting more and more like a pay to play system where the focus will no longer be on people who have got something to say but instead it’ll be those that can afford to say it.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
I did youth theatre when I was young, I wasn’t good at it and I was mainly because my sisters went but I would say that did make me more open to the arts. I also had an English teacher called Miss Doyle. I got put in her class because I failed English the year before, so the class was a second attempt at getting national 5 English and seemed to be where the school was sending people they had low exceptions for. She was a really good teacher and I wrote some essay for her that was on reflection, basically stand up comedy sets. She was very encouraging about them though and I ended up getting an A in the class.
Can you describe your creative process and how you develop your ideas into a full-fledged performance?
Most of my stuff is based on things that have happened in my life, so a lot of it is just living really. Just doing everyday things, then I’ll think of something that's funny or someone will say something that makes me laugh and that starts me off on building jokes or a story around it. Then I’ll go for a drive or a walk and work it out, go to a gig and try it out, work out the kinks and then it’ll be solid enough to make it into a weekend set. But even then, I’ll keep changing it slightly and put a new line in, just to keep it fresh and find out the best possible way to make it work.
What is your favourite thing about performing for a live audience?
Immediate feedback. I’ve done other writing for scripts etc. so you have to send them off to get notes, then you get the notes back, make changes, send it back off for more notes. The whole process can go on for months, so you can lose the point or place of what you’re writing. In stand up in front of a live audience, you have an idea, you say it, the crowd will let you know if it’s a good idea or a bad idea right there and then.
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?
There’s been so many things that have happened they don’t even seem strange anymore. Have had couples break up mid gig, power cuts, fights, other acts not showing up, one guy got his eye punched out. They all just kind of blend into one blob of madness.
What's the most challenging or unconventional venue you've ever performed in, and how did it impact the overall experience?
I’ve done a gig in an abandoned shopping centre, the door to the venue was the shutter of one the shops that would be pulled up and down mid gig to allow people to go to and from the toilet. It was definitely different, but in situations like that you just end up making jokes about it and fairly quickly everyone just gets used to the quirks of the gig and by the end of it the whole thing just feels very normal.
Who are some of your artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?
When I was growing up Frankie Boyle and Kevin Bridges were always on TV so they were a big influence because we’re all from the same place and they’re class at what they do. But even now I’m constantly working with people who are changing my view of stand up and how I can approach things. The ones that come to mind straight away are Christopher McArthur-Boyd, Liam Withnail and Susie McCabe.
Is there a piece of feedback you've received from an audience member or critic after a performance that’s stuck with you?
“you swear a lot” - it’s something I’ve always done, I swear a lot more when I’m working out new stuff and it’s something I’m working on. Mainly because I’ve found if I swear every other word it robs it of the impact I would have in certain situations.
Is there a show you’re excited to see when you’re up there?
Yeah I’m planning to along to see Christopher McArthur-Boyd, Susie McCabe, Marc Jennings and Stu McPherson
When and where can people see your show?
The Stand 2 at 4:10pm
And where can people find you online?
its Liamfarrellycomedy on all platforms
0 Comments