Interview with Tim Sniffen

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Hi! I'm Tim Sniffen, a performer in Baby Wants Candy: The Fully Improvised Musical. I've been with the group since 2001 and this will be my fourth fringe.

How would you describe your show?

We ask the audience for a title, any title, no title too bizarre, and then we improvise an hour-long musical: songs, characters, story, all entirely improvised, and all accompanied by our band. It's a fast, wild ride and Fringe audiences always seem to love it.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It's like nowhere else. I've found the audiences that come to Fringe tend to really love theatre and make the whole thing such a joyous experience for us. Also, having so many shows happening simultaneously is an unparalleled atmosphere -- we try to see as many other shows as we can - often leaving us severely sleep-deprived somewhere around week three.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

The sheer number of shows and the size of the crowds makes it unlike any other festival. Also, there are shows coming from around the world -- there are performances here that we would be unable to see anywhere else. And all of this with Edinburgh as the backdrop -- one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?

It's definitely gotten larger. The city seems overflowing with people, which is fun for us, but I hope the year-round Edinburgh residents don't feel crowded… Although I suppose it's only for 30 days.

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

Comedians like Bill Murray and Lily Tomlin made me want to pursue comedy, and composers like Howard Ashman and Stephen Sondheim were the reasons I first loved musicals. I was the third child in my family and my older brother and sister were successful and had three children each, so the pressure was off me to do anything other than entertain. I was the family comedy relief.

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

Haunted house detective. My CV is ready.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

I'd love to work at the United Nations where, whenever discussion became loud and passionate, I could bang a gavel and shout, "GENTLEMEN, LADIES, PLEASE! THE FATE OF THE WORLD IS AT STAKE!" Is that a job?

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

I barely remember this but I put a lot of time into drawing a picture of Mickey Mouse, and then sent it off to him (via Disney World, I imagine…) and then I got a reply. And that was like magic to me, that Mickey had seen my drawing and liked it. Whoever it was in Disney customer service with the relatively thankless job of replying to children's letters... they made me believe that magic was real.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

I like being a social commentator. When big things happen, and we're all thinking about them, improv by its very nature can bend to include things like that. It can be really powerful (and sometimes even hilarious) to include things in our shows that happened that day, that happened an hour before the show began.

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

Oh yes. We find ourselves in a very tense time: people are much more sceptical of their government, of if they're being given accurate information, of what the near future will look like. We're also very polarized: people believe their immediate social circle [often those with the exact same opinions] and think everyone else is wrong. It's important for theatre and comedy to keep commenting on how strange this is, and how, in many ways, this is not normal -- and how we have to keep listening to each other and finding some way to work together comedy can sometimes say what people are thinking but unable or unwilling to say, and we try to rise to that challenge.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

Drumpf. Stress eating. Exercise more!

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

I wish I could have worked with Jim Henson. From everything I've read about him, he created an environment where anything was possible and everyone was encouraged to bring their best and make something great together.

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 can't speak to the free fringe as Baby Wants Candy has always gone the ticketed route. But I would say -- find some way to get here! You won't regret it.

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

Workshop as much as possible BEFORE you're here. Polish your show and make it exactly the show you want -- so the first few previews will have a higher likelihood of success and word of mouth [still the best Fringe marketing I know] will be good.

When and where can people see your show?

George Square Studios, 9:30 pm every night! And also Thrones! The Musical at 4:55pm!

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

Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical is performing at Assembly George Square Studios at 21:30 on 2nd – 27th August. For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.