Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Richard Todd; man. At least that's what I say at parties.
How would you describe your show?
Aesthetically messy. Intellectually considered. Anally Retentive. Actually, that's a lie, it's very giving. I wear my heart on my sleeve – a metaphor for how anatomically dangerous the show is. I also wear my teeth on my lips, a fact of how dentally neglected my overbite is.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Come August I usually find I have acquired a surplus of repressed emotion and need the prospect of mass rejection to help drain the sentient fluid from my body.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
The location. And that it has given The Predator a chance to rehabilitate himself: once an intergalactic hunter now he finds solace as a living statue. I don't even think he even got a licence to perform at the Brighton Fringe. It this kind of unforgiving attitude that will drive him back to cosmic slaying.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
The focus now is on arriving with something review-ready, but Edinburgh is the only chance I get to focus 100% on comedy and perform the show consistently, so the chances are I'll be work on 10% while I'm there. But that keeps it exciting. Some things are too polished. Like my mother's baubles.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I never watched comedy until I started; I wanted to be a writer. Still do. In literature, Gogol, James Kelman and Knut Hamsun's Hunger make me laugh.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
By 'job' do you mean stand-up comedy? Hahahaha! Of course, you don't. My actual job is doing art workshops with vulnerable people, but I only do that as it affords me just enough time and money to live and do comedy… oh lord, this is the kind of question that the more you answer it the more you doubt your life choices.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Film director – until I lose the job after my employers deem wish-fulfilment as an inadequate qualification.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Sitting at my gran's with one of those colouring books wherein you simply brush clean water onto a picture and, as if by magic, various muddy hues appear. Exciting stuff!
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
Nope. As a person in society all events trickle down and inform even the most mundane of subjects. And likewise the other way round… Hence, when I talk about the names of salad you can be pretty sure Donald Trump is trembling.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
Nah.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Bingo! Bongo! House! Eureka! oh…
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I can't think of anyone I would get on with, only folk I admire, and I don't want to meet someone just to fawn over them.
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 have only ever done the free fringe. The limitations depend on the room you receive. And your imagination. But mostly the room you receive.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
If it's a solo show/two hander – stay sober. If it's a compilation show – get drunk.
When and where can people see your show?
The Counting House Lounge at 1PM. Follow the crowds, then make a break from the crowds and follow a map.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
- richardtoddcomedy.com
- @richardtoddtodd
- www.instagram.com/richard.paul.todd/
Richard Todd: Monsters is performing at Laughing Horse @ The Counting House at 13:00 on 3rd – 27th (not 14). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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