Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello, I'm Tom, I used to be in a group called The Noise Next Door, but I've now gone solo and it's all very exciting.
How would you describe your show?
My show is a quite self-deprecating, but ultimately a positive assessment of my life and the unusual upbringing I had set against the backdrop of an ever changing national identity and an attempt to combat the dehumanising of people and our addiction to pessimism.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
This will be my tenth year performing in a row, so I've got the bug, I'm afraid. It will, however, be my first solo show. I'm very excited. I feel like I have a lot of things to say and an interesting angle to come from. It also helps that the festival is the most fun month of the year by far!
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Well firstly there is the size of it. It's HUGE! Then the length of it. How about the incredible city of Edinburgh too? I honestly don't think it would work in another city. Then you add the people, the local haunts, and the Scottish culture that's injected through it all. I could go on…
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
It's certainly changed for me. In the early years it was a massive party and a desperation to get noticed. Over the last few years, I was lucky enough to find success with my former group and so the workload lessened.
I think I'm going to have to return to that this year. The spirit of the festival itself remains intact though.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
Lack of options? Nah, to be honest, I was always going into performing one way or another. I wanted to be an actor. then I realise all the roles I was going for were the comedy ones. Then I discovered stand up. It was a no brainer.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Crying?
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
This one, just more successful. Plus a few more strings to the bow. Presenting, acting, one day I'd love to write a musical.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Oof…probably my sister and I performing a theatrical version of "Home Alone" at the foot of the stairs. Or did my one-man version of "Cats" come first? It was a long time ago!
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
Am I a topical comedian? Well, I would never label myself that, but I think it is important to stay aware of current moods and movements. Right now hear everyone singing the praises of Corbyn and the left, and I understand that.
I've grown up with a lot of right leaning, conservative friends though and I'd like people to realise that not all of them are vile and horrendous people. The right Is a perfectly justifiable way to think. You need both, don't you?
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
Absolutely. I've come from a perceived 'privileged' background and I feel, at the moment, the upper classes are getting both barrels from all angles. I understand the passion and I think there is a responsibility to help out the less fortunate.
I feel though, that we are in danger of further separation if we continue the way we are. I see good and bad from both sides of every situation, be it class or political viewpoints. We've made sex and gender a spectrum, why are we now forcing opinions to be binary?
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Snowflakes, Nationalism, Dead celebs, Gorilla
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Ooh…Jesus. That's not me stalling, I literally mean Jesus. He was a real guy, right? I'd like to see what skills he actually had back in the day. Bet it was a couple of handkerchief tricks and pulled a fish out of a hat. His crowd work must have been on point though.
Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?
I've been asking myself this questions loads. The free fringe is and excellent and an affordable way of doing the fringe. Personally, I'm in a paid-for show because its about Privilege. I can hardly say how lucky I've been and then stand at the back waving a bucket.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Wait till you're ready, do the show you want to do.
When and where can people see your show?
Gilded Balloon, The Wee Room at 17:45 everyday
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
Tom Houghton of Facebook
@TomHComedy on Twitter and Instagram
YouTube: Tom Houghton Videos
Tom Houghton: Class Half Empty is performing at The Gilded Balloon at 17:45 on 2nd - 28th August. For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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