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 Emma and Sam about the show The Comedy Firm of Crossland & Wilkinson

Date: 13th August
Time: 19:00
Price: £10 Concession: £8
Location: Rosemary Branch Theatre
Ticket Link:  https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-comedy-firm-of-crossland-wilkinson/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello! We’re Emma Crossland and Sam Wilkinson, two northerners with differently similar outlooks performing comedy together. We’ve been on the northern circuit for 5 years now so thought it was time to pop down to London for a show. The Comedy Firm is a silly show where we hold an AGM with our comedy shareholders and spend an hour pointing to graphs and whiteboards while being very daft. Also, we make someone take the minutes. 

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

We are often asked why we decided to do a show which makes us sound like a mid-tier firm of accountants. When we decided to team up for a show, we went to a fancy cafe in Leeds to come up with a name. In between drinking posh coffees and hot chocolate you could stand a spoon up in we did a writing exercise where we had three minutes to write everything that came to mind about our comedy styles. 

At the top of both of our lists were the words “pretentious”  and “w******”.  Thus our nebulous comedy business was born. The Comedy Firm of Crossland & Wilkinson: Providing some of your comedy needs since 2022.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

We’re a mix of stand up comedy, boardroom presentation and general silliness with some light hearted and very gentle audience participation. 

What will your set be about?

We cover all kinds of topics, from business to museum culture, dangerous creatures to lifestyle advice. With a healthy dose of filth, but that’s all from Emma.

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

We’re only in London for one night so unfortunately we won’t be getting the chance to see much. If we were about later though, Sam is very excited at the idea of Absurdocles. He loves to show off how much he thinks he knows about Greek classics.

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

We are Camden Fringe virgins so we hope you’ll be gentle with us. We’ve done other festivals around the UK though – getting down to a lovely chat with a man who works at the Hula Hoop factory at Nottingham Comedy Festival was a great experience.

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

Publicity is key! Get some good media, having a marketing schedule for social media and show potential audiences what you’re all about.

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

We’re both really excited about performing in such a gorgeous venue as the Rosemary Branch Theatre. 

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

Emma: Plan in advance. Research everything thoroughly. Make the absolute most of a Premier Inn breakfast.

Sam: According to legend you get free food at Pret if they really like you. So put your most charming face on and hit up every mid-priced chain lunch shop you can find.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Emma: I haven’t been to Camden since I was a student in the early ’00s. Back then I enjoyed the eclectic shopping.

Sam: A sixteen-year old Sam once bought one of those shirts with flames going up it from Camden Market. My three favourite things about Camden are that shirt, memories of being younger, and the fact that nobody has any photos of me wearing it.

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

Emma: ”I’m not so much an octopus as an octopiss…” As for why, you’ll have to come along to the show to find out.

Sam: I once got a job in a bit of a hospital dedicated to the baddies from Lord of the Rings, but I got there really late on my first day and didn’t get on with any of my colleagues. It was Orc Ward.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Emma: I thought about listing some of my favourite comedians but it would be really intimidating to have them in the audience. Instead I’ll just say anyone with a good, quirky sense of fun.

Sam: That’s a coward’s way out! I’d like all the people who were mean to me in school so they can see I’m totally over it and well adjusted now. Definitely.

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?

He’s a very dapper looking chap with his top hat. Emma thinks he’d suit Tarquin, Sam’s going for Barnabus.

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

We’re on Facebook at facebook.com/crosslandandwilkinson, also technically on Twitter. Or X, as we’re probably calling it now. @captaintwitchy and @wilkinsonsamuel.

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

Bloody good fun.