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 Edinburgh 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!

Ian Smith: Crushing

Location:   Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron) – The Tron (Venue 51)

Dates: Aug 2nd-13th, 15th-27th

Time: 13:35

Price: £10

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ian-smith-crushing

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello! My name is Ian Smith – I’m a multi-award-winning stand-up comedian and co-host of the Northern News podcast. I come from a small town called Goole which once had a ribbon cutting for a new vending machine.

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

It links to two of the stories in the show – teeth grinding and a car demolition tank driving experience in Slovakia with my hairdresser.

Tell us all about your show!

It’s about stress – but in a silly way. I was told I grind my teeth due to stress and the best way to stop it is to “just stop being stressed”, which is famously difficult. This show is about the things that have stressed me out and some of the ill-advised ways I’ve tried to relax.

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

I always love Pierre Novellie and Stuart Laws’ shows – and I’m excited to see some great newcomers like Philipp Kostelecky and Tamsyn Kelly.

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe. 

This will be my seventh solo show! My main bit of advice is to relax and do something that isn’t comedy for a bit. I like to go to a steam room in the morning and I’m going to download Football Manager on my phone and let that stress me out instead.

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

“I want a bit of rhubarb, not a bitter rhubarb” – this doesn’t make sense in isolation and I’m not even sure if this works written down, but I find it fun to say. Hopefully it stays in the show.

What have been some of the most unique and different comedy shows you have seen this year and why?

I love Sam Campbell’s shows – I saw him in Melbourne this year and he has so much going on with theatrical set pieces and people from the crowd. I’m wary of spoiling anything after I mentioned the ending to the latest James Bond film on stage and someone shouted, “fuck” very loudly.

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe

I wake up and down two Boost energy drinks. Then I have a bowl of cereal, but instead of milk I use a third can of Boost energy drink. Then I head to the gym for a bit and go into the aforementioned steam room. I’ll have a think about any problems with the team I’m managing on Football manager and what I have to do to take them to the top. Then I’ll head back to the flat, have a quick Boost energy drink and head to perform my show.

After that, the pressure’s off – I’ll see some shows and do a few extra gigs. Sometimes I’ll go and watch an improv troupe and just get up on stage with them. A good improv troupe should roll with the punches and just incorporate me as a cast member. After that, Ill either apologise or go for some drinks with my new improv ensemble. Then sleep and repeat.

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Try and see 8 shows back-to-back with not toilet stops! It’s fun challenge to set yourself and can feel incredibly rewarding if you manage it. The only downside is that it is medically dangerous.

Best thing about performing at the fringe? 

After a year of working on the show, it’s just so much fun to be able to perform it to an audience every day.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Having to perform your show to an audience every day.

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

A rain coat. A USB to lightning adaptor cable. Enthusiasm.

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

I’ve found the secret is to pay someone else with more energy and unbreakable self-esteem do it for you. Sorry if that is cheating.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who insists on bringing 64 of their friends who are all very loud laughers.

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

Instagram and Twitter are best – @iansmithcomedy on both

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

Tank. Crushing. Car.