Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello reader. I’m Elvis McGonagall. Stand-up, poet and armchair revolutionary, aka Shouty McJacket.
How would you describe your show?
It’s called “Gin & Catatonic?”. It defies description. Mainly because I’m re-writing it thanks to that wee numpty Rishi Sunak calling an election. There’ll be anarchic wit and satirical verse. There’ll be an emotional rollercoaster of thrills and spills and spectacular pyrotechnics.
There’ll be the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
There’ll be balloon animals. Or at least one or two of these things.
What is your favourite part of your show?
The tap-dancing cow. Totes hilarious.
If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Ken Dodd’s “Happiness” sung by Leonard Cohen. No explanation needed.
Are there any particular themes or messages you hope the audience takes away
from your performance?
Themes - Love, war, revenge. Change, optimism, hope. Vorsprung, durch, Technik.
Messages - a pint of milk, 6 buttery rolls and a bottle of Irn-Bru.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Good question. My therapist says I am a narcissistic sociopath with self-esteem issues and a chronic need for validation. Bit harsh.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Far less lederhosen than Oktoberfest.
How does performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe compare to other festivals or venues you've experienced?
Less humid than Hong Kong. Better toilets than Glastonbury.
How has your experience at past Fringes influenced or changed your approach to this year's performance?
I will be approaching it with great stealth, walking like a panther, prowling like a lion in Africa, as Tony Christie once advised.
What is your favourite thing to do in Edinburgh when you're not performing? How do you relax and look after your mental health?
Tai-chi on Arthur’s seat at 6am. Daily magnesium and amino acid intravenous drip. Bed of nails. These all help. Although my mental elf is very good at looking after himself. I just change his litter tray and wait up for him to get back from the disco.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about taking a show up to Edinburgh?
Book a session with my therapist. Her rates are reasonable. And if she doesn’t dissuade you then just pretend you’re in a wee cubbyhole performing for no-one but your cat. Oh - wait a minute - you are.
What is one thing you would change about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Compulsory fluorescent leotards for all performers.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
I climbed the daunting precipice from council estate to university where I hid in a cupboard for three years. This explains a lot. According to my bloody therapist. But she won’t tell me what exactly until I’ve paid her outstanding bills.
Can you describe your creative process and how you develop your ideas into a full-fledged performance?
Deep hibernation. Heavy drinking. Nervous breakdown.
What is your favourite thing about performing for a live audience?
When somebody turns up.
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?
I fell backwards off a village hall stage in rural Suffolk. I think the audience thought it was part of the act - a ground-breaking fusion of Buster Keaton and poetry. It was only a few days after Madonna had fallen off the stage at the Brit Awards so I clambered back on and got a few cheap, painful gags out of it.
What's the most challenging or unconventional venue you've ever performed in and how did it impact the overall experience?
Burns’ Night at Swanage Conservative Club where haggis blinis were served and I performed staring at a giant portrait of Thatcher. I don’t know if the audience have fully recovered but I still have PTSD.
Who are some of your artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?
Howard Hodgkin, David Hockney, Picasso. They’ve imbued it with colour and cubism.
Is there a piece of feedback you've received from an audience member or critic after a performance that!s stuck with you?
A guy sent an email after my show “Full Tartan Jacket” was broadcast on Radio 4 and said “it was quite good - and I hope you don’t take this the wrong way - but there was just too much of you”. Oh how I laughed.
Is there a show you’re excited to see when you!re up there?
I was very much looking forward to Edward Tripp but I’ve just discovered that we’re on at at the same time. And have the same day off. Arse. I enjoy going to shows by people called Edward, so I hope I can catch Ed Aczel.
When and where can people see your show?
Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose - Blether, from 31st July to 25th August (not 12th) at 12.20pm daily.
And where can people find you online?
I have a website - www.elvismcgonagall.co.uk - and technically I have a twitter/x account - @ElvisMcGonagall - but anyone who wants to find me there will have to be blessed with the patience of a twitcher waiting for the sighting of a Himalayan quail. Other than that I am social media’s Scarlet Pimpernel.
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