CRAIG HILL
Scottish comedian Craig Hill has toured his saucily-punned shows around the UK and internationally.
What’s it like being a gay stand-up?
It’s pretty much like being any stand-up; it just comes down to whether you’re funny or not. Some people think gay comedy is about being gay but, really, all it is is comedy by a gay person.
So, what’s your Edinburgh show this year?
You know I’ve great fun with titles; one of my shows was Why Don’t You Come Down The Front?, which just made me laugh so much because it had that nice balance between people being a bit afraid to come down to the front seats and the brilliant double entendre. The new show is Tartan About. For the poster I’m practically dressed like a scottish piper.
Are some straight audiences intrigued by gay life?
There’s a certain kind of outlook that they might not have considered from a gay perspective, but what’s wonderful is that what they find fascinating is actually how much we have in common, not how different we are. There are a lot of people who are still a bit wary of gay people, of gay comedy; they’re always a bit frightened until they find out that, actually: “He was just like one of us.”
Tartan About!
Underbelly, Bristo Square; 1-26 (not 12,19) August, 7.20pm
www.edfringe.com/event/CRAIGHI
@mrcraighill
DAVID MORGAN
Solihull-born David Morgan is an avid television enthusiast. Oh, “and he’s cute too.” (Gay Times)
When did you ‘come out’ as a comedian?
When I started in stand-up, I had this big thing about not wanting to be a ‘gay comedian’. I wanted to be a comedian first, and gay second, but I could tell that the audiences realised I was hiding something from them. One gig I accidentally came out—I mentioned a boyfriend or something—and I could see the audience go: ‘Oh, that’s what it is.’ I got instantly better at comedy; I wasn’t acting it any more.
Tell us about your new show.
It’s sort of about the concept of attractiveness and how it bothers me, and how it impacts on my life. I was lucky enough to be in a Gay Times Naked Issue (GT403, March 2012). That really made me think about appearance; especially as a gay man, We’re bombarded with images that we can’t deal with; not only do we desire those attractive men, but equally we want to be them. It’s a really odd relationship I think gay men have with themselves in that we can be quite dimorphic in our appreciation of what we look like.
Sounds serious stuff…
But it’s got jokes in too!
David Morgan–Pretty
Underbelly, Bristo Square (Venue 300)
31 July-25 August, 7.00pm
www.edfringe.com/events/DAVIDMO
@thisisdavid
SCOTT AGNEW
Former journalist and Glaswegian Scott Agnew is a “master storyteller” who “shares Billy Connolly’s ability to spin an anecdote and draw out its humour” (Chortle).
How do audiences react to you?
When you do the club circuit, most people don’t come with any prior knowledge; so I’ll tend to do 50%-70% just general stand up, whatever it might be. I’m rather butch; I’m 6’5”; I’m not the mincing queen that people tend to imagine; I have a quite broad Glasgow accent. So audiences just assume that I’m straight. There’s a definite shift in the voice of the audience, though; the male laughter gets a lot quieter, the women tend to really warm to it.
Last year’s show, Tales from the Sauna, surprised many people.
The idea had been kicking about in my head for years, but I kept thinking it was such an obvious idea that somebody must have spoken about it before. It’s a part of our culture that’s been there for thousands of years but we’re actually quite ashamed of it for some reason.
Will your new show be along similar lines?
It’s not as graphic or homosexual as the sauna show, but it still talks about relationships, and blokes; it’s more about bad luck and my dented optimism. It’s going to be quite different; I don’t want to get pigeon-holed.
Scott Agnew–Something’s Gotta Give
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV (Venue 12)
31 July-25 (not 1, 12) August, 10.30pm
www.edfringe.com/events/SCOTTAG
http://scottagnew.wordpress.com
Twitter: @scottagnew
SCOTT CAPURRO-ISLAMOHOMOPHOBIA
Best Newcomer at the 1994 Perrier Comedy Awards (now the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards), Scott Capurro has provoked, amazed and outraged live audiences in almost every comedy club in the English-speaking world.
Are you looking forward to Edinburgh?
I am. I just did a week-long run of the show at the Soho Theatre and it went pretty well. I’m assuming the show will change; the narrative remains the same, but it’s very flexible. I want to keep the show current; I think the audience kind of expect it from the title.
How do Edinburgh Fringe audiences differ from most comedy clubs?
They used to be very different because the prices were less, but now an average gig in Edinburgh costs about the same as central London. They can be a bit more worthy than a comedy audience; having said that, I think someone who goes to an hour-long comedy show… they just expect laughter and entertainment.
Do you think they also expect to be shocked?
My audiences don’t mind having their minds changed a bit about how they might think about something—about gay marriage, losing a loved one, or about Islam and the response I’ve got from my neighbours about my marriage. I hope to make people think differently, in a more varied way, about gay men; if I can do that, whether I’ve shocked them or not, that’s really satisfying to me.
Scott Capurro–Islamohomophobia
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV (Venue 12)
31 July-25 (not 1, 12) August, 10.30pm
www.edfringe.com/events/SCOTTCAP
Twitter: @scottcapurro
NICA BURNS—COMEDY AWARDS
Nica Burns OBE has directed the Forster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly the Perriers) since 1984. Nominees and winners have included Scott Capurro, Simon Fanshawe, Lilly Savage and Graham Norton.
Is this a good time for gay comedy?
I think it’s better than it’s ever been before, and can only get better. Things have changed, are changing, and just need to change a bit more. I was there when “Alternative Comedy” started; the whole point was to change things. There was a desire to use comedy to change people’s attitudes, and it was incredibly successful.
Do you think comedy can do that?
Last year, I was extremely moved by Susan Calman’s show, when she talked about how important it was to her to have a marriage, not just a civil partnership. I think that kind of show helps change some people’s perceptions and attitudes.
Is the Alternative Comedy “revolution” still happening?
Alternative Comedy made change happen very quickly. I’m not saying you won’t still find pockets in the clubs where people are hostile; you’re not going to change everything in 20-30 years. But incredible strides have been made, and I think that people speaking publicly about it, and making people laugh, is a great way to communicate. Graham Norton, Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig are major public figures who are really much loved and on our television screens at prime time, not after the watershed.
The 33rd Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
25 August, 8.30pm
www.edfringe.com/events/FOSTERS
@ComedyAwards
Originally published in Gay Times #423, September 2013.
