Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello, my name is Annie McGrath and I hate oranges.
How would you describe your show?
Absolute perfection.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I'd have no friends if I stayed in London in August.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Absolutely everything. Its size; its length; its girth… The highs; the lows; the flyers! It's like nowhere else in the world.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
Yeah, it's definitely changed. There are so many more comedians now than there used to be, which is a double-edged sword. Audiences are diluted but they have more options of what to see, and comedians have to work harder. Venues charge more than they used to and, generally, performers make less money. In the last few years there has been a definite revival of the free fringe though, which is a very positive thing.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I feel like it's all kind of happened by mistake. I used to want to be a policeman or a chef. But I loved acting at school and my teachers definitely inspired me to study theatre at university. I auditioned for The Leeds Tealights, the university sketch group, in my first year and couldn't believe my luck when I got in. After doing that, I realised there was nothing else I wanted to do. This felt like the most fun job you could have as an adult.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I do actually have a 'proper' job. I work part-time for a marketing company, called Golden2 Consulting, which specialises in the arts. I'm like a middle-class Batman… Fine art communications by day; stand-up comedy by night. I work with some brilliant people (all women, obvs) and my office is in Soho, so my bosses are very nice about me running out for auditions in the middle of meetings.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I feel like I'm very lucky to be doing what I do. But, I would love to spend all day painting, swimming and going out for dinner. Is that a job?
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I'm not entirely sure I understand the question. My mum has always been incredibly encouraging of my 'art' though. I remember as a child being most content when I was drawing. She was very good at making sure there was always paper and crayons near by.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
It's not advice so much as a warning… Everything costs three times what you would expect it to: posters, flyers, accommodation, insurance, PR, production, programme entry, venue etc. etc. Things you didn't even know existed cost money.
Oh actually, one bit of advice: buy your alcohol before 10pm. Scotland has weird rules.
When and where can people see your show?
In their dreams. LOL JKZ. People can see it at Just the Tonic (The Attic), 3rd-27th (not 14th) August 2017
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
I'm on Twitter @AnnieMcTweet https://twitter.com/AnnieMcTweet
Annie McGrath: Ambivert is performing at Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 18:20 on 3rd – 27th (not 14th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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