It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

Alex Kitson: Must I Paint You a Picture?

Location:   Hoots @ Potterrow – Wee Yurt (Venue 243)

Dates: Aug 2nd – 25th

Time: 22:55

Price: £8 Concessions £6

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alex-kitson-must-i-paint-you-a-picture

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi! I’m Alex Kitson and I’m a stand-up comedian from Devon doing a show at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. 

Tell us all about your show!

It’s in the Wee Yurt at Hootenannies @ Potterow and it’s an hour of high-energy stand-up, telling stories about all the times I’ve messed up, including my biggest secret, and how to bounce back from the bad times. 

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

I named the show ‘Must I Paint You a Picture?’ after a song that perfectly captured the breakup I talk about in the show by Billy Bragg, an artist whose career and message I massively admire.

So that; plus two other reasons. I never intended to write a personal show. I’m a comedian who does jokes. But the realisation that lots of the stories I tell in it, when put together, stem from my fear of vulnerability, and that the people in my personal and professional life telling me for years I need to be more open I dismissed were right, has made it one. I’m still slightly conflicted about doing one of ‘those’ shows, not least because of a dislike of those who artificially over-share at the 45-minute mark of their comedy shows every year for commercial gain.

I’ve reconciled that by knowing I’m not faking anything, the emotional honesty strengthens the gags (and I’ve got lots of them), but explains the slightly sarcastic question of a title! Finally, it’s also a piece of comedy advice I always think about from genius American comedian Brian Regan, who says he likes to think of his routines as still images, like a newspaper cartoon. I’m not instinctively a visual person, so it’s something I try to remember whenever I’m onstage. Help the audience visualise what you’ve written. I’m trying to communicate a lot, so paint people a picture!

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

So many! The day the programme comes out is always a great afternoon where I sit circling about 300 different shows I want to see and drawing devil horns on my enemies. Already on my list to see are fellow debut shows from Jin Hao Li, Alfie Packham, Freya Mallard, Luke Chilton, Peter Jones, Jack Skipper and Melanie Bracewell.

I go and see Mat Ewins every year (because he’s a genius and someone you have to see at the fringe). This year I’m also going to see Clementine by Rosalie Minnett again because it’s brilliant. Also looking forward to shows by Burt Williamson, Alex Kealy, Alfie Brown, Lou Wall, Garret Millerick and Tarot. I’m probably missing loads out. 

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe. 

This is my debut hour of stand-up, but I have been at the fringe before as a student doing sketch comedy and split bill shows and here are my main tips.

1. If you want to see as much as possible, schedule your days (even if you don’t stick to it). It’s so easy to be tired and focussed on your show that you end up not seeing enough. Make the most of it!

2. Jakemans are the best (and cheapest) lozenge.

3. At industry bars and parties – don’t spend your time looking over people’s shoulders for people you’d rather be talking to. They can tell. It’s embarrassing for everyone and you’ll get a reputation.

4. It’s impossible to kiss anyone without someone seeing it.

5. If you’re a comedian, the Fringe is a bootcamp. If you want to enjoy it, your expectation for the month should only be to get better at stand-up than when you arrived. Everything else is a distraction or a cherry on top. The people who go crazy and don’t enjoy it are the people who forget that.

6. You’re (probably) not depressed. You’re just tired, hungover and aren’t eating properly. Look after yourself!

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe

Watch me break literally every piece of advice I’ve just given. At past fringes, I usually wake up hungover about lunchtime, then sprint to make some compilation show I’d forgotten I said yes to doing the night before.

After that I’ll grab a coffee and try to find a place to write, nap or gossip with friends and talk loudly about how I’m never drinking again. I have always had shows in the evening, so I’ll watch as many shows as I can in the afternoon in between flyering and doing other guest spots to sell the show I’m doing. I’ll do my show(s), then any more late night shows I’ve been invited on.

After that, I’ll head to wherever people are hanging out. It’s not even about the drinking, it’s the camaraderie and giddiness of hanging out with funny, interesting people from all over the world. I’m not drinking this year (allegedly), so I hope it’s that and not just the booze talking. 

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Immerse yourself in the whole of the fringe. The fancy venues, the less fancy venues. See lots of Free Shows – because that’s where the true spirit of the Fringe lives.

See things you’d never see elsewhere but if you see something bad, it’s not an opportunity cost, it’s as part of the experience (but listen to recommendations from friends to avoid the trash as much as possible).

If you’re a performer, have realistic expectations, good shoes, a good coat, good self-care, a good show and good friends there with you if you don’t have the above. 

Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe? 

Alby’s sandwiches! I love sandwiches and these ones are incredible. I should really gatekeep this information. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

I get to do my favourite thing in the world everyday, in the same place and hang out with professional entertainers for a month. Also, Alby’s sandwiches.

Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time?

Cluster your shows! This is why I recommend planning! (and I hate planning normally). Know where the shows are and group them together when you’re booking. Walking from New Town to the Pleasance Courtyard, then to Grassmarket and back again is knackering, a waste of time and suddenly you’re sat in an incredible show unable to enjoy it because all you can think about is how knackered you are.

Plan one afternoon in New Town to see all the shows you want to see there, then another in the Courtyard etc. etc. Suddenly it all becomes much more relaxing. Just double check where everything is where you think it is (i.e remember Assembly has venues all over town and you cannot assume a show with them will just be in George Squar   ). 

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

Medicine you know works, good rain gear, funny jokes. 

what’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Being friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the show beats shoving paper in people’s hands who don’t want it every time. 

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

I’m AlexKitson0 on most social media (or variations of)! Instagram probably the best.

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

Best comedian ever