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 Chazz Redhead about the show Paracosm.

Date: 18th & 19th August
Time: 21:00
Price: £9
Location: 2Northdown
Ticket Link:  https://camdenfringe.com/events/chazz-redhead-paracosm/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello right back! I’m Chazz, a character/sketch comedian, and my new show is Paracosm, telling the story of Robert, a man who starts a true crime podcast to investigate the disappearance of his girlfriend. In the show, we meet experts, discuss clues, and listen to absurd adverts. And who knows, the mystery might even be solved by the end.

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

 I tend to go title first, which is a silly way to create shows, but I like finding one word that can summarise the themes. Paracosm is a rich, detailed, but completely fictional world. It’s a good summary of the nature of writing itself, but also deals in the false realities we create for ourselves in everyday life.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

The style has evolved in the rewrites. Trying to make an audio format interesting on stage is a task in and of itself. Beyond the regular sketch/character tropes, I’ve tried to make each character in a slightly different style. From standard sit-down documentary interviews to the one-sided phone calls of Bob Newhart.

What will your set be about?

Like most things I write, it’s about dumb people making dumber choices

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

Too many to name, but what I’m really excited about is discovering something new. Over the years I’ve performed and watched comedy, it’s always the surprises that stick with me,

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

This is my first time doing Camden fringe since I started performing in London! I last did a sketch show at CF in 2015 (which makes me feel ancient just saying that). the show on before us was a live Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story, which is such a cool idea for a live show.

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

Don’t put pressure on yourself to deliver the most perfect thing ever seen by man. Put yourself out there and see what the reaction is. You have nothing to lose by doing it!

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

Being able to do a show and head home to my own bed. I’m a bit of a hermit sometimes and I like my creature comforts.

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 be afraid to shop around. Different venues will have different pricings. Same with printers and technicians. Find what works for you. And in terms of travel. Sometimes it’s worth taking the extra travel time if it means you’re only travelling via bus (£1.30 travel vs £4.50 can add up)

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

The sheer personality of the place, the atmosphere that hasn’t dampened over the decades, and the absolute glorious unashamed weirdness.

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

‘hindsight is 2020. which isn’t great. that’s a shit year’ It’s a line that evolved over the years I performed the show it was in because I started in 2019, and by 2022 it had such a different meaning.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

I’m glad and grateful if anyone comes to see me. ideally, an active listener and a generous laugher.

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?

Hobie. That pidgeon is punk as hell.

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

I’m no longer on twitter so find me on instagram @chazzredhead

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

You like mysteries.