Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello reader. My name is Ian Smith. I've just had a Red Bull – I'm now typing very quickly, but keep having to correct my spelling because a lot of what I'm writing isn't words.
How would you describe your show?
My show is an hour of stories and silliness about uniqueness and a trip to Norway I had. There's also a joke about aubergines (I've just Googled aubergine, because the American spellcheck on Word refuses to recognise it – and I've just learnt that aubergines are technically berries! The world is mad!).
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I love the Fringe – it's amazing to get to perform an hour every day, especially when the Fringe attracts real comedy savvy audiences. It's the best arts festival in the world.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
I guess the history and the size of the thing – and Edinburgh itself, it's the perfect city for it. Also, the rocky roads on sale in the University shops are incredible.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
I think this could be a brilliant question for an essay! This feels like my General Studies exam where I had to talk about motorway planning with no knowledge of what that involved. The Fringe is so huge, and I think various problems come from that – but audiences are increasing too. Basically, I think it's going to end up being the Edinburgh and Leith Super Fringe soon and it'll take place over the course of 4 months.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I had a sketch group with two friends in school and college and I loved performing. We were all going to different Universities, and I wanted to carry on doing comedy. I remember the first time I saw Daniel Kitson at the Fringe – that was a big inspiration, it blew my mind.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I think I'd have tried to go into law – but I would've done my best to make defending or prosecuting people funny.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
This one.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I wrote a book in Primary School called The Bread Monster and the Smelly Baked Bean. I remember reading it to the class and people liking them. I imagine it was terrible though. The Bread Monster was the good guy, and the baked bean was evil. It wouldn't get made in today's climate – kids need the fibre of bean, and some people are intolerant to gluten. It was written in more innocent times.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
Not really – although I have just changed my stage name to Corbyn McBrexit.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I'd love to give this question an intellectual answer, because it's a really nice question, but… no, I don't think so.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
I passed my driving test.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Martin McDonagh – he's an incredible writer. He's written amazing plays, as well as In Bruges, one of my favourite films. I'd love to be in anything he wrote, even if I only delivered a single word of dialogue.
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?
Oh wow. What a mammoth question. Very basically – with some paid venues, you have more of a chance that you'll have everything you want from the venue. The right sound, lights, staging – and you have a lot of the admin covered. But, there are some amazing rooms on the free fringe, and I think the main thing is the quality of your show. If you're show is good, and people are there to see it, it will do well wherever it is.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Go and see some shows, see how people structure comedy over the course of an hour – see the venues and think about where and when you want to perform. Enjoy working on it! Do what you want. Don't listen to me. The venues are hot – why not wear loads of woolly hats so you stand out from all the squares that won't wear wool.
When and where can people see your show?
It's on at the Underbelly Med Quad (in a space called Buttercup) – 17:15, 2nd to 27th August (not 16th).
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
- People can follow me on Twitter here – https://twitter.com/iansmithcomedy
- Or like my Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/iansmithcomedy
Also, I've just released a web series, Hope You Come Up Here, produced by Turtle Canyon. It's a Wish You Were Here style programme where I look around my hometown with the mayor – the youngest mayor in the UK!
You can watch it all here:
- Episode 1 – https://youtu.be/xk0ijhTmChg
- Episode 2 – https://youtu.be/WnHGIvEzs1k
- Episode 3 – https://youtu.be/j5cdlflPvds
Ian Smith: Snowflake is performing at the Underbelly med Quad at 17:15 on 2nd – 27th August (not 16th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
0 Comments