Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
My name's Bernie Keith – 40 years a radio presenter, 2 years a comedian. This is my first time in Edinburgh with my first stand-up show Life Without Sat Nav.
How would you describe your show?
It's about a middle-aged man doing something new, trying to work out where he is in the world and making sense of nonsense. It's a bloke standing up trying to make strangers laugh. Has that been done before?
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
It's a thrill to do it – the biggest arts festival in the world where many of my heroes have played. To stand on those giants' shoulders is a unique opportunity. We all have one life and I no longer want to miss out on adventure.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Size and scope. Both are very important for a single middle-aged gayer.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
This will be my first Fringe so I'm very excited. People tell me it's changed but I have the sense of anticipation that a child feels before his first holiday. It seems to me that notion of "anything goes" and the range of possibilities are still there.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
It was broadcasting first from the age of 5. The pirate radio disc jockeys seemed to be having great fun and it was the personality ones – Kenny Everett, Blackburn, Stuart Henry – who connected with me and from the off I wanted to try and make people laugh. Comedians like Dave Allen, Frankie Howerd and Larry Grayson were massive figures in my life.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I was once an accountant but I was rubbish at it. Actually, I must see if Jimmy Carr's up this year wanting some advice.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Saturday boy at North Korea's first Toni and Guy. There MUST be a demand for better hair there.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Paint Along with Nancy.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
None at all. My comedy doesn't aim to change the world – there are great comics who can shine a light of truth on life. Mine is purely entertainment and escapism.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
Just by engaging with people and watching the news you can get a feel for how society is, but all recent votes seem to have shown is that we're split into different groups. I do get a strong feeling, however, that people want to be lifted and given light, an escape from dark times. It's still ok to laugh and have fun.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Tumultuous but in the past.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I always feel I should pick some monumental figure for these questions, like Jesus or Churchill, but I am as deep as a puddle so Kenny Everett and Barry Cryer would have been a riot.
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'm told that receiving coppers in your bucket at the end of giving your all for the audience is soul destroying. I've had a couple of 5p pieces but somehow silver looks more! We've all got to pay the rent so whichever punter or performer decides is fine by me.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Well, we've not done it yet but I've found that doing your research, getting a good and experienced team around you and talking to others all helps. Ask me if I've survived come the end of August.
When and where can people see your show?
The Billiard Room in The Gilded Balloon nightly at 8.45
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
@berniekeith100 and a couple of Bernie Keith pages on Facebook.
Bernie Keith: Life Without Sat Nav is performing at The Gilded Balloon at 20:45 on 2nd – 27th (not 16th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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