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 Matt Hutchinson about the work in Progress show Hostile

Date: 4th & 26th August
Time: 7:00pm
Price: £5
Location: 2Northdown
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/matt-hutchinson-hostile-work-in-progress/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I’m an NHS doctor and comedian from South London. I work in Covid-19 research, unfortunately I don’t have any juicy gossip about where the pandemic came from. As of 3 months ago I am also a father, so you can add sleep deprived to that list.  

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

The show title “Hostile” came from the “Hostile Environement Policy” – my dad is Jamaican and part of the Windrush generation, so prompted me to think about Britishness and how welcoming the UK is.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s mainly observational stand up – drawn from my experience growing up mixed race in London. I used to DJ, and they say anything you did in a past life will make it into your comedy – so I’ll be using a bit of music in the set and DJing as the audience take their seats and at the end. 

What will your set be about?

As I say, my experience growing up mixed race in London and working in the NHS – but also in the context of my pretty middle class existence. Inevitably there will be some stuff about being a new father, and my anxieties about how the world will treat (and possibly be “hostile” to) my daughter. 

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

Tom Mayhew, Kathryn Mather, Estefania Baha, Josh Weller, Nathan D’Arcy Roberts 

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

Speak to other acts about their experiences of different venues, go and see some shows this year. Then get your show finalised early so you can promote it – and take every opportunity to plug it. Oh and do remember to actually write it. 

What are your favourite things about London?

I have lived here my whole life, other than a brief stint working in Basildon for a year, so for me it’s the definition of home. For comedy it’s almost unrivalled worldwide, there are gigs every day of the week – and when I was a bit younger and still deluding myself I was cool, the music and clubbing was great. 

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Nostalgia for hanging out as a teenager and at university, the feeling that you might bump into someone famous (or who’s about to be) and the music.  

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

Black power is important to me, I spent a lot of my youth fighting the white devil – or as she insists on being called “Mum” 

I like it as it is so over the top – and ridiculous as I should emphasise my Mum is and always has been great, is massively supportive and does a massive amount for me!

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Trevor McDonald – although I’m not 100% sure he’d find me funny, and it would play havoc with my nerves. 

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?

ODB (after the Wu Tang Member) – because despite being filthy, people loved him. 

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

I’ll confess to being terrible at social media

Twitter @hutch_up

On Instagram I’m Matthut87 – but I never post anything!

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

Funny, wise words