Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello, I'm Alexander Fox. I'm an improviser, drummer and, crucially, comedian.
How would you describe your show?
Snare tells the story about how, when I left school for music college in 2011, I began an extra-marital affair with my drum teacher, which grew increasingly dark and dangerous. That, but funny. Also, there's an enormous electronic drum kit sitting in the middle of the room.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Because I'm so lacking in self-confidence that I've created a show which lets me not only tell jokes for an hour, but batter audiences into submission every day with drum solos too.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
It's preposterously expensive and yet I just can't help myself from going.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I love writing, and I love improvising. So, the two marched me hand-in-hand first to character comedy, then to narrative comedy, and finally to some weird comedy-plus-drumming shtick. Inspirations growing up were Steve Coogan and Frasier.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I have absolutely no doubt that I would be a successful criminal barrister with a colossal cocaine problem. Or an aloof but ultimately benign History teacher in some third-tier English public school, with a little cottage and a pair of wellies and a colossal cocaine problem.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
This, if it paid. Or a professional drummer, if I could keep time.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Drawing a picture of Pingu and doing a matching impression. Twenty years later, I did the same impression in my debut solo show Ringo, and it was basically the only guaranteed laugh in the hour. Two decades, wasted.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
Yes, I do. But then self-proclaimed social champions on Twitter and the like announce to unenlightened goons like me that I'm not allowed to say anything ever again because I'm white (Jewish actually), straight (to some extent, actually) and male (hardly Vinnie Jones, but yes that one's probably fair). So, f**k it, I won't bring any of the accumulated wisdom that comes with education, life experience, introspection and personal growth to the table. I'll just sit in the dark and let all my fertile ideas about wealth redistribution or social justice or minorities' rights just wither away on the vine.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I don't think that comedians and comedy-writers should be forced to create work that is the most 'shareable' and 'hashtag-able', because it creates a drive-thru comedy consumer culture, devoid of nuance and especially genuine and real emotion (a particular interest of mine). I hope there'll come a time again, like a few years ago, where more subtle material which evolves over its duration gets its share of the limelight. There are just so many amazing performers out there who should be on TV but aren't 'soundbite-able' enough.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
New show, getting older, help.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Sir Ernest Shackleton, to bring me enough rations and firelighters to get to the end of this interview.
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've done both. It's immensely complicated on both sides. Ultimately it boils down to whether you're performing for yourself, or for other people (like 'industry').
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Don't take it as seriously as I do. I've spent years getting worked up to the point of nervous wreckage. It's just not worth it. I'm a husk.
When and where can people see your show?
Alexander Fox: Snare is on every single day of the Fringe, 6pm at the Pleasance Courtyard.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
I'm on Facebook at AlexanderFoxComedy. And, for my sins, I'm medically addicted to Twitter, @AlexanderFoxEtc.
You can see Alexander Fox: Snare at Pleasance Courtyard The Green from 31st July – 26th August at 6pm. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
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