Interview with The Thinking Drinkers

The Thinking Drinkers takes some time to talk to Voice about the show, inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

Interview with The Thinking Drinkers

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

We are the Thinking Drinkers, two drinks experts and comedians who have been performing at the Edinburgh Festival since 2011. We give out five free drinks in our award-winning show. Yes, that's right, free drinks.

How would you describe your show?

It's called "Thinking Drinkers: The History of Alcohol" during which we peer at our past through the prism of a booze bottle and discover that alcohol has influenced everything that has ever happened. Audience members also each get five drinks as part of the show. You learn a lot, you laugh a lot and you get five free drinks. Did we mention the free drinks – they include Diplomatico Rum from Venezuela, Adnams Copper House Gin and Talisker Whisky from the Isle of Skye.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

The weather mainly.Also, because it's the greatest arts festival in the world and is a month-long muck-about. After the last couple of years, with all that's been going on in global politics and Brexit, it's a much-needed reminder that things are actually alright. Edinburgh is a lovely bubble to be in for a month.

Also we like nothing more than draining our bank accounts in the name of art.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

No tents. Apart from the big circus ones.

Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?

Every year, it seems to evolve and become something new. People say it's got more commercial but you really don't have to dig deep to discover something genuinely original. It's still a great place to be.

We wish they'd hurry up and build that area by the Gilded Balloon. The guys that built the Pyramids finished the job quicker than that lot – and were paid in beer. Ten pints a day. Perhaps they should do that.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

We were, and still are, drinks journalists and the money was falling out of newspapers. S,o we went into comedy theatre where there was cash to be had. Eh? Oh. Also, we just had a burning desire to give the people of Edinburgh five free drinks. Did we mention the free drinks?

If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

Professional footballers. It could still happen. In the meantime, we're happy doing our show and giving out five free drinks. Did we mention the five free drinks?

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Anything that impresses chicks. Like working in a dolphin orphanage. We'd probably give orphans five free drinks – but only if they were over the age of 18. We're advocates of responsible drinking. Did we mention the five free drinks?

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

We both had that poster of the tennis player scratching her arse.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

Yes, we've had to drop jokes about Oscar Pistorius and Whitney Houston after rinsing them for a few years. It's annoying.

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

Yes, people are following our mantra: "Drink Less, Drink Better".

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

Two thousand and sixteen/seventeen.

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

Mayaheul. She was the Aztec goddess of tequila and she had 400 breasts – potential for major bants in the office.

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?

We straddle the two in so much that you have to buy a ticket but you get five free drinks.Did we mention the five free drinks?

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?

Follow your folly. Don't expect to make any money. Come to our show and enjoy the five free drinks. Did we mention…

When and where can people see your show?

Everyday at 8.30pm at the Underbelly Med Quad, Ermintrude, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG.

And where can people find, follow and like you online? www.thinkingdrinkers.com; @thinkingdrinks on Twitter and Instagram is @thinkingdrinkers.


The Thinking Drinkers: History of Alcohol is performing at Underbelly Med Quad at 20:30 on 2nd - 27th (not 16th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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