It’s Comedy Festival season and welcome to all things Camden Fringe!  Apart from having exclusive access to The Scribbling Apes run of the festival, we have a whole bunch of fantastic interviews with acts performing as well! We sat down with former Chortle Student Comedy Awards winner Kevin O’Connell to talk about his up and coming show!

Location: The Camden Comedy Club

Date:  July 31st – August 2nd

Time: 21:15

 Price:  £5

Hello Kevin, tell us a little bit about yourselves?

I’m a 25 year-old Irish comedian and I moved to London the day before Brexit to become rich and famous. It hasn’t worked out so now I’m doing a new show so I can continue to buy leopard print shirts and cowboy boots.

How did you get into stand up?

If I could sing or play an instrument I’d probably be in a band. I just had a need to perform and stand-up comedy has such a low barrier of entry that any oddball is able to try it. I gave it a go and it was a wonderful experience.

Tell us all about the show that you are bringing to the Camden Fringe Festival?

The show is vaguely about fame and happiness but it gets derailed by other bits about Brexit, foxes, love, pigeons and nob jokes. In my material there’s thin line between ideas and jokes, so if it’s not funny it will be interesting.

There’ll also be a special guest opening each show and they’re all genuinely amazing!
Is this your first Camden Fringe? How are you feeling about it?

This is my first Camden Fringe. All I want from it is to have a full room of people to listen to my nonsense and maybe a positive review.

What are your favourite things about performing to an audience and why?

I like the instant feedback you get from an audience and creating a unique experience that will only occur in that moment. That sounds a bit pretentious but it’s a great feeling.

The validation and attention is also fantastic.

What other comedians groups do you find inspiring and why?

Too many to mention but the Mighty Boosh and Noel Fielding are a major influence along with Irish comedians like Tommy Tiernan and Andrew Maxwell. Acts like Simon Amstell and Russell Brand got me into stand up comedy in my teens.

Essentially I love anyone that is a bit different. I currently find Tony Law and Sam Simmons very inspiring.
Who else are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Fringe and Why?

My top picks are:

Gary G Knightley and his show Twat Out of Hell. If you like lovely, hairy, shouty comedy then this is the chap for you. He is great.

Duane Doogan & Niall Farrell – Two Irish comics who have also moved over here and are very funny.

Also any of these: Loose Brie, Nick Elleray and Ian lane – they’ve all made me laugh.
You won the Peoples Choices Chortle Student Comedy Awards in 2013 – how has it felt from winning such a prestigious award and entering the world of comedy?

It was nice. I wasn’t a good enough comedian at the time to take advantage of the opportunities that it presented but it was still a great accolade to have when I was starting out.
Explain the writing process you go through to produce your jokes?

I generally have a strange image or idea and I try to build a story or write “jokes” around it. Sometimes I’ll improvise on stage and something new will come from that. Very rarely it’s just a little story from my life. I have no specific process – it’s mostly throwing shit at a wall and seeing what sticks.
And Finally – in three words, why should people come and see you at the Camden Fringe Festival?
I need food  …or on a more positive note – Surreal, filthy fun

If you want to find out more about Kevin o Connell then you can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter as  @kevconnell