This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Today I speak to James Barr about the work in progress show show Sorry I Hurt Your Son.

Shows: Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Work In Progress)
Location: The Actors – Theatre
Date: 25th and 26th May
Time: 18:30
Ticket Price: £8.50 Concession £7
Link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/james-barr-sorry-i-hurt-your-son-work-in-progress/

Hello! Tell us about your act ? 

I’m a stand up comedian, and in a bid to avoid expensive, long and potentially traumatic therapy… I’ve decided to break my silence as a survivor of domestic abuse, in a stand up comedy show. Once we have laughed at our saddest story, we can be free of it. 

This is a work in progress as I put the finishing touches to my new show, premiering in Edinburgh this summer. 

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

I was doing a lot of victim blaming and questioning if I’d made the whole thing up… and then my ex wrote “Sorry I Hurt Your Son” in a Christmas card to my Mum and I thought, aha, ‘evidence’!

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

This is the most important hour of comedy I’ve ever written and as such I reached out to some important names to help, my co-director Madeleine Parry (co-director of Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix special Nanette) has been pivotal in coaching me through some of the most difficult parts of my story.

What can people expect from your Brighton Fringe performance?

A dark yet uplifting hour of stand up comedy, that will hopefully inspire us to talk more openly about abuse.

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

I can’t wait to see my sister Jen Ives new show ‘I’m Straight Now’. I’ve seen Jen performing bits from this hour in London lately and it’s lap slappingly funny. 

How are the rehearsals going?

I’m not sure how to answer this in an entertaining way, they’re fine. I always get distracted though as I start doing imaginary crowd work with myself in the mirror and I feel like I need to be sectioned. 

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

Brighton Fringe is the first place I ever bought a stand up show so it holds a very special place in my heart. 

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

Be brave enough to ask for help. People will want to be there for you. 

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

Grindr is really hot in Brighton, it’s helped me to land a free place to stay during the festival. Edinburgh needs to step it’s bussy up.

What are your three favourite things about Brighton?

THE LANES. THE GAYS. The c*ck shaped i360 on the seafront. 

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

Be friendly, try not to take it too seriously. 

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

Coffee, breakfast, manically rehearse whilst performing various yoga poses and using different accents that are probably hugely offensive to certain parts of the UK (it helps my muscle memory). A quick saucy roll from greggs and a glass of red wine. 

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

Yes! The first person I came out to as gay was the sea, it will be nice to catch up after all this time. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Piers Morgan- I’d love to see him squirm as I roast him like the gammon he is.

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

https://twitter.com/jamesbarrcomedy/ https://www.instagram.com/imjamesbarr https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbarrcomedy

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

Piers Morgan hates me and that should tell you everything you need to know.