Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
My name is Roman Fraden and I‘m an American ex- figure skating champion turned comedian, and also a newcomer to Edinburgh this year with my crazy little show ‘Back in the Closet’.
Tell us about your show?
It’s essentially rooted as a stand-up show, but infused with theatrical, musical, clown, and absurdist elements which I always felt been missing from the recipe when I’d been doing just traditional stand up. I have always loved theatre, but my skills are in the funny department, so this really brings those two worlds a bit closer together.
A lot of ‘Back in the Closet’ has to do with my comedic failures at trying to integrate into modern society (as a charming gay homosexual), and those same themes end up appealing to people from all walks of life who come see the show, because they are universal and specific to life in contemporary society for all. Wow, that’s a mouthful.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is it different from other festivals?
It’s my first time so I am just using my imagination here, but having been to burning man 19 years in a row and living out extreme schedules and conditions in a wild and crazy place, this just sounds very similar... but in a theatrical environment of the performing arts (i.e. maybe a little bit less acid).
Also, I really appreciate the open-access nature to it; anyone can come to the Fringe and put on their show and it makes the entire thing a giant, crazy, infinitely expanding experiment that I am really excited to see for myself.
My entire life (after figure skating was finished with), I only dreamed of one thing: to live in a beautiful city and perform on stage every night. If that’s actually about to happen like I think it is... I’m a very very happy boy.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I’ve been doing stand-up for years, and that was motivated by too huge a collage of factors to describe here… but last year I saw Natalie Palamides do her show ‘LAID’, here in LA, and it really inspired me to do a different kind of presentation of my comedic material, one that is much more theatrical and visually exciting, and that’s the current form of the show now.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I don’t really work off of current events too regularly so I never feel like I need to stay ‘current’. Also my material feels timeless in the sense that most of it feels like it would have been just as funny 100 years ago, and also 100 years from now. Also, being more ‘observational’ in nature (and thus in my stand-up style), I naturally do tend to give voice to certain perspectives, and shamelessly share my opinions on a variety of topics, particularly regarding gay culture and lifestyle which that is often at the crux of so much of my material. So yeah, I do very openly hand over my thoughts on all of these subjects, but I never really feel that pressure to do it. it just happens naturally.
Equally, do you feel there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
There has definitely been a shift in how LGBT groups or individuals are perceived by the mass public. I feel like when I was 16 it was far more misunderstood, feared, and something to hide from people. These days, at least in major cities, it’s much more embraces, almost celebrated. This really opens up the platform and makes the humour more laughable and accessible to all people.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Suspense. Success. Swimming. Seduction. Salvation.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
I would be a fool to give advice having never tried it myself. Can I get back to you on that one? Wait, I know… Don’t drink too much!
And what advice do you wish you’d been given when entering the industry?
I figured it out pretty quickly myself, but I suppose I would tell someone getting into comedy to create their own ship and sail it out. Don’t wait for others to push or pull, help you, or ‘approve’ you. It takes much longer that way, and you can carve out your own path much more quickly. Get your shit together, put together a show and take it to Edinburgh!
When and where can people see your show?
11:30pm
Gilded Balloon – Teviot, Balcony Room
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
instagram: slothfirewand
twitter: @romanfraden
Roman Fraden: Back In The Closet is at the Gilded Balloon – Teviot, Balcony Room from August 1st– 27th (not 15th)
Info: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/roman-fraden-back-in-the-closet
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