It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Camden Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

Karoshi

Location: Etcetra Theatre

Dates:  Aug 8-11

Time: 16:30

Price: £7.50 concession £5

Ticket Link: https://www.camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=2377

Hello Mel! Tell us about yourself ?

I’m a London-based stand-up and performer. I came back to comedy, after many years away, in 2017. My primary goal was to create and perform this show based on my own working life, and the hell of today’s workplace. It’s my way of helping the many other people miserable in their jobs.

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Camden Fringe?

Karoshi means ‘Death by overwork’ in Japanese, which seemed an appropriate metaphor for a show about how work is killing us all. Originally, the show had a different title, but a friend who came to see the very first work in progress told me about Karoshi, and a little bulb lit up in my head.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

An audience member once likened it to ‘A TED talk with jokes’. I think that’s a good summary. It’s me and a slide show, and lots of fun.

What will your show be about?

I share my own experiences in the workplace and the utter nonsense that’s perpetrated on so many of us every time we head for the office. Mixed in are lots of facts and statistics. The point of it all being, ‘Yes, it IS them, it’s not us.’ And it’s funny.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

You might expect me to say comedy, and there will be lots to look forward to there. But I really want to see Molodyi Teatr’s show ‘All That Remains’. I lived in Ukraine for a short time 20 years ago, and have good friends there.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

This is my first Camden Fringe. The show has been to Edinburgh, but it’s changing all the time, thanks to things my audiences share with me and things I see in the news.

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Come and see lots of shows this year. Scope out the venues and see which one is right for you and your work. Then just do it!

What is the best thing about performing at the Camden fringe?

Playing on home turf is nice. I live in North London and hope plenty of friends will be able to see the show.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Camden, the place? Well, number one has to be the food. I’m at the Etcetera Theatre, just across from Poppies Fish & Chips and around the corner from Mildred’s.

Secondly, the fact that the market is still here and still cool after all these years.

Thirdly, and I am no way partisan, but the Etcetera Theatre is a gem. I’ve performed here and seen many shows over the years. Always good, never boring.

So, yes, Camden is a great place to spend money on fun stuff.

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

When you’re 100, you get a mammogram from the queen.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

My old boss, to see if he recognises himself from the descriptions of his awful behaviour in the show.

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why? 

Dame Ethel Snodgrass, who might well not have actually received a Damehood, but would you dare question it?

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

@TheMelByron – Twitter is my best social media friend

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Hate your job?