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 find out about the show Inform, Educate, Entertain

Date: 13th August
Time: 20:30
Price: £10 Concession: £8
Location: Rosemary Branch Theatre
Ticket Link:  https://camdenfringe.com/events/inform-educate-entertain/

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Hello! I’m Sam Wilkinson, comedian and public service broadcasting superfan. I was raised on a diet of Afternoon Plays and Desert Island Discs and so steeped in love for Radio 4 that my pulse plays out the theme from the Archers.

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

I stole it wholeheartedly from the BBC! When John Reith was made the first Director-General in 1922 he declared that its mission should be to inform, educate and entertain the public.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s a comedy panel show in the grand tradition of shows like Just A Minute, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and the Unbelievable Truth. Three fantastic comedy guests will interview for a job at my weird warped version of the BBC from some horrible mirror universe.

If you really wanted to boil it down, I’d call it Radio Four fanfiction. 50% love letter to our national broadcaster, 45% examination of its flaws and 5% swear words which they’d never get away with broadcasting.

What will your set be about?

Faced with a barrage of raucously stupid challenges, they’ll act out hastily-written afternoon plays, give educational presentations and wrestle with such soul-searching questions as “when did you last see a horse”, “what do you think about individual Battenbergs” and “who’s the tallest person you know?”.

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

Sticking with the broadcasting theme, I wish I could catch Gamez TV but sadly I won’t be in London long enough.

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

No, this is my first time! IEE has appeared live at a few festivals around the UK, and exists as a podcast – just search Inform Educate Entertain in your podthingy of choice. I’ll justify that cheeky plug by saying all the shows have been my favourite.

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

Plan your marketing as soon as you’ve got a show booked, it’ll save a lot of panic later on!

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

It’s very exciting to perform in London. Two of my guests will be comics I’ve done lots of online shows with before, so I’m looking forward to meeting them in person.

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

Take sandwiches in a lunch box for a post-gig snack.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

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?

Part of the show involves guests having to write plays with a pun name. I very much enjoyed when one of my guests wrote a play called “Othello Eleven”.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

It has to be the absolute king of Radio 4 comedy, John Finnemore.

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?

I think he looks like a Barnabus. He’s fancy.

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

IEE is on Twitter at @IEEPod or facebook.com/informeducateentertain

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

Radio. Four. Fanfiction.