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  Zac Thraves about the show Truth, Love & Madness or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Depression

Date: 16th August
Time: 19:35
Price: £10 Concession: £5
Location: The Water Rats
Ticket Link:  https://camdenfringe.com/events/truth-love-madness-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-my-depression/

Hello! Tell us about yourself ? 

My name is Zac and my show, Truth, Love & Madness, takes us on a journey into my mental health experience, and how I learned to stop worrying and learn to love who I am. I explore psychology and the industry of mental health, and offer an alternative perspective. 

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

I wrote a book about my depression in 2020, called The Self-Harming Pacifist, and ideas from there sprung into action. I then wrote an article called Reclaim my Madness, and from there a show was born. I want to expose the truth of mental health, call on each of us to choose love instead of hate, and to embrace that we are all, in essence, mad. 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It is a one-man show. I have years of theatre experience and decided to try and emulate the style of Andy Kaufman, a showman I have loved for years. 

What will your set be about?

Challenging perceptions of mental health and learning to take responsibility. I interview myself and go off on rants, I also use Star Wars to understand depression. 

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

There’s some great acts. None that I know personally as this is my first year doing fringe and first time doing a show on my own. I’m intrigued by Bad Movies, Phil Green and How to Stop Worrying and Love Yourself. 

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

No. First time. Might be the last! 

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

Just do it. If you have an idea please take the plunge into the unknown. 

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

I guess I’m going to find out. Getting that first laugh might be it, if it happens! 

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

Don’t bet your life on it. Find something that you can afford to do and let it happen. It’s meant to be fun. 

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Night. Day and Sunrise. 

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

“I’m not happy, I’m looking for someone to blame, and I thought of you two.” From my play Hancock’s Last Hour, performed this year in festival. It just seemed to connect with the audience. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Stephen Fry. 

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?

Wilde. It has that look of being one of the people, and also being distant. Like most pigeons I think. 

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

I’m on Twitter mainly – /28Thraves and I have a website, themiexperience.wordpress.com

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

Truth; Love; and Madness