It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to CJ Hopkins

Date: 1st & 2nd August
Time: 7:00pm
Price: £8 Concession £5
Location: Water Rats
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/performances/the-art-of-fitting-out-by-cj-hopkins-2/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi!  I’m CJ Hopkins and I am currently performing stand up and character comedy across London and am about to bring my one man show ‘The Art of Fitting Out’ to Camden Fringe this August. 

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

The title ‘The Art of Fitting Out’ came from one of the stories that is a part of the show.  I talk about the struggles of not fitting into certain social situations, but through a true, traumatic and hilarious experience of me being the only gay man to not fit in at a sex party.  I have a history of trying too hard to fit in with others and made the change in my life to embrace who I am and ‘fit out’ instead which is where the title comes from. 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It is a stand up comedy show which has adult themes and dark humour.  It also features some of the most unique character comedy performances you will see.  I open and close the show with performances that combine comedy, dance and even a bit of burlesque, and they tell a narrative as I perform them.  For example, one is about Pinocchio, and how he moves from a land far far away to Clapham Highstreet, and gets caught in with a bad crowd and addicted to the party lifestyle.

What will your set be about?

Mostly dating as a gay man, with some themes of mental health and social anxieties sprinkled in.  Essentially it’s a tale of how bad my dating history has been… and its been bad!

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

Anything and everything, and especially if it is queer and comedy than I will most likely be there

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

Plan ahead, have a marketing strategy in place, and do not be afraid to ask others for help of you are unsure of what to do.  Also drink 2 litres of water a day (This is just good daily advice I give to everyone)

What are your favourite things about London?

The chaos.  Its is equally the worst and best place to live in the world.  You can have some of the worst possible days just trying to travel around and navigate London but when you get to some of the great destinations and have incredible experiences it makes it all worth it.  London keeps you on your toes, and teaches you to think fast as it is ever changing.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

The Market because I love a bargain, the people as I love interesting people with stories, the Fringe festival…. Because I love my show.

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

‘I knew I wasn’t going to fit in at this sex party when my friends brought poppers and lube, I brought a quiche!’  I enjoy this line as it pretty much sums up who I am as a person and the style of stories that will be told. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

An agent that takes me under their wing and shoots me to career success.  Or Alan Carr as I feel we have very similar sense of humour.

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?

Well it is looking quite dapper with its top hat and can so I would call it,

Lord Sir Timothy Camden of the Pigeonsquires the third……. or Mike, cause he looks magic

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

I am on Instagram @THECJHOPKINS

Twitter makes me anxious

I am on Grindr you just have to be within radius

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

PINOCCHIO IN CLAPHAM