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!

Burt Williamson: 104kg of pure Banter

Location: Carte Blanche! at PBH Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms (Venue 68b)

Dates:  Aug 2nd -24th

Time: 15:05

Price: Free

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/104kg-of-pure-banter

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi! I’m a stand-up comedian, or comic as some like to say. My hobbies include, writing and performing stand-up and procrastinating doing any of the aforementioned.

Tell us all about your show!

My show is about me, which might not sound radical but for me it is. So much of the stand-up I’ve written has been about the world around me and I’ve conveniently ignored major questions about myself. So many comedians are talking about these big personal journeys and crucially I want in on that.

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

Alex Kitson always has interesting things to say and loves stand-up, he told me the idea for his show this year and it sounded super interesting and ambitious. Amelia Hamilton & Jessie Nixon are acts who I want to see debut – I think the opportunity to see them over an hour would be something I’d be keen to see. They’re both great performers carving out an interesting niche.

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

I have! This is technically going to be my 5^th fringe which is a great way to make me feel like a dinosaur. For any new people coming to the fringe I’d say take it in and don’t set expectations by internal factors. The number one thing you can control is how good your show is. If it’s your first year also take a long view, getting an audience at the festival has taken me years and I’m lucky to have found each year better than the last. So, take it day by day, year by year and focus and remember that you’re there because it means you get to do the thing you love.

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

Since I start at 3:05pm it’s wake up late, walk in (I tend to stay towards the edges of Edinburgh) and then do my show. After that I mill around, see friends and see shows with as little planning as possible. I know people have all these spreadsheets and schemes which I do admire but for me, wandering venue to venue and taking chances on different acts brings me the most joy. Then a pint at Salt Horse, a quick gossip and an early (ish) night.

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

Piemaker at this point must be an open secret. The Tattie Dog is nutrition for the soul.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

Performing! It’s why we do it, I love it and long my it continue to happen. I guess to be more specific, I like performing under my own name. Feels special when people choose to see you specifically and you’re able to deliver them a good time.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Accepting the ebb and flow. You won’t always be at your best and neither will the shows. It’s realising that while you have your heart on your sleeve it may bruise but that that’s no reason to put it away. 

Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?

Typically it goes the other way, I tend to take a souvenir. For my debut year I bought a lovely purple shirt from a Scottish charity shop that I like very much and perform in all the time.

What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?

Preparing food, if you have the time. Accommodation and all these other costs are pretty fixed but a homemade sandwich will be by far the cheapest thing you can eat which is also something you control.

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

Backpack, notepad & loyalty card to a coffeeshop somewhere in the centre.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Accepting that a small audience of people that want to be there is better than a large one that’s half interested.

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

@burtcomedian on instagram is probably your best bet.

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

I love comedy

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