This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Today I speak to Martin J Dixon about the show Big Fat Gay.

Shows: Big Fat Gay
Location: The Snug @ The Three Jolly Butchers
Date: 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th May
Time: 21:15
Ticket Price: FREE
Link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/martin-j-dixon-big-fat-gay/

Martin

Hello! Tell us about your act ? 

My show is about me, because I’m fascinating. It’s about being in a bigger body and being gay. I talk about having a broken heart and how I turned things around. It’s very very funny. 

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

It’s the name I keep using for my shows, because they are so personal and the description is so me! It’s about embracing the things that people tell me I shouldn’t be proud of. 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s self deprecating humour, in a nice pub, where I’m dressed stylishly, as I always do. My comedy is in the vein of Alan Carr, Jayde Adams and Jo Brand.

What can people expect from your Brighton Fringe performance?

To laugh, a lot! And to have fun, and to enjoy themselves and perhaps feel a bit better about themselves at the end, if I’m not asking for too much! 

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

Sally-Anne Fellows! She’s one of the best acts around, won so many competitions and this feels like the last year to say she’s one of the funniest comedians you don’t know yet. 

How are the rehearsals going?

It’s been good! It’s hard to get the stage time, but I enjoy performing this show. I’m adapting it all the time, so the hardest part is remembering what I thought was the best order! 

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

I have! One of the best shows I saw was Luisa Omielan. It was a few years ago, but she just makes me laugh so much. It was a WIP, so it made us think as much as it made us laugh. 

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

Do it! Try not to over think it. Some acts approach festivals timidly, waiting for the right time to strike for max impact. I think just sign up and go for it, come back next year and do it better, and keep going that way. Performing comedy as part of a festival is so different to gigging, and Brighton is a great and forgiving place to trial it out! 

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

It’s got to be the Brightonians! People who come to see the fringe are so passionate and fun loving. I’ve felt so welcomed by them in the past, they’re the best! 

What are your three favourite things about Brighton?

Chips, Sea, how easy it is for me to get home! 

Leafleting and promotion through the streets of Brighton is a huge part of the festival – what are your tips for flyering?

I’m terrible! I don’t flyer. I find I”m more likely to put people off from flyering. I’ve paid for posters instead, that just feels better. And doing interviews like this are really helpful! 

Tell us about your average day on a festival show run?

I’m lucky as I do live close to Brighton in Croydon, so usually I’d work and then rush down, or rush back and do a night shift! If I’m off, then the perfect day would be to travel down nice and early, go for a swim, have something to eat, arrive at the venue nice and early, do a nervous poo and then sip some water and slip into a deep panic, then perform, applause, applause, then travel home fairly quick with a good book on the train!  

Performing by the sea as well, that surely makes the fringe all that much more fun?

I don’t go in the sea that much in Brighton, but when my hair is longer, the salt water makes me look so sexy! Also, when you’re performing in cities and doing late nights, it can be so good to get up and be part of the natural world for a bit the next day! 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

I’d love to perform for Mindy Kaling. I don’t know if she’d find me funny, but I think she’s funny, so I’d love my chance! 

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

https://twitter.com/martinjdixon https://www.instagram.com/_martinjdixon/

I’m also on GoodReads as an author, permission pending! 

And Finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Brighton Fringe because…. 

 It’s funny, it’s fresh, it’s low pressure, it’s not expensive and you might have some chocolate at the end!