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 find out about the show Shake My Hand Goodnight

Date: 31st July -1st & 2nd August
Time: 21:00
Price: £14 Concession £10
Location: Barons Court Theatre

Ticket Link:https://camdenfringe.com/events/shake-my-hand-goodnight/

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

“Shake My Hand Goodnight” actually comes from a punchline of a joke I was working on. It was something my father used to do before I went to bed. I don’t want to give too much away so I guess you’ll need to see the show to find out more!

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s surreal observations, mixed in with stories of my life. As a stand up comedian I wanted this show to be an introduction of myself to the festival circuit. So it’s as honest as I am comfortable to make it! There’s some word play thrown in there as well. I want there to be a back and forth between myself and the audience. Not so much with heckles… but more in a way that we are making this together. Stand up really doesn’t work without an audience, trust me, I’ve tried. 

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

Phil Green, he’s been slogging hard for years and I’ve crossed paths with him a bunch on the comedy circuit. His comedy casts a wide net, there’s something in there for everyone.

Lizzie Simpson, she’s going places. Won a lot of awards. Known her for years. 

Lew Fitz will be fun to watch. He’s so unpredictable. 

Matt Lowes has a very unique point of view, I don’t want to give too much away with that one. I’ve been gigging with him for years also. 

Frances Keyton is great. She has too much intelligence for the comedy game, but I’m glad she’s doing it. She speaks French for god’s sake. Not in her show though…

Kate-Lois Elliott has brought her show up too! Once again, a VERY unique point of view for a show. I would recommend this if you have ever been or plan to be a part of a cult. 

S-J Wyatt for all the Doctor Who fans out there!

Lastly, Luke Richards and CK Nath are doing a split bill. These two I have gigged with a few times and have very different styles from one another. 

How are rehearsals going?

So far good! It’s just me in my bedroom talking at a wall. I’m still having a good time though! Some tweaks are needed here and there…

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

It’s in London! The networking opportunities are amazing. There’s also so many different genre’s to choose from. On a personal note, a lot of creatives move to London to be able to work on their art, it makes sense to have a fringe festival closer to a lot of people trying to break into the industry. Rather than having to pay for accommodation as well as everything else. 

The footfall is a real help too, the Camden Fringe happens while London is happening, people from all over the world come to this city. A lot of the performance spaces are either above or below a pub, too. Which means regulars get to see something different.

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

Do as much as you can as early as you can. Be that writing emails or show prep or marketing. The sooner you do these things the more time you will have to prepare your show and focus on other stuff. Like earning money. 

When it comes to a life hack, I’m not sure if this counts, but try and get a job where you can choose your own hours. Tour guiding, children’s party entertainer… it sounds tough but you don’t have to do any work outside your work hours, and you know when you clock off you can 100% focus on your work. 

If you’re self employed, I would really be aware of what you can claim as an expense on your tax return. Every little helps.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

My initial response was to say someone big in the industry to get me places, I don’t have a specific name for you though. So to be specific, I would love if Billy Connolly came along but I also think this would terrify me, a lot of pressure. What I would say is if you’re a fan of QI, I think you’ll have a great time.

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?

This years Pigeon looks like it’s flown out of the frame of ‘Guernica’ so it would be remiss of me not to call it “Pablo” but I think “Pables” is cuter. This is based on its appearance alone. A more thematic answer would be “Sid” à la the Sex Pistols due to the Fringes rebellious streak. 

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

On instagram I’m @spladamson this is the platform I use the most. On Facebook I’m ‘Sam Adamson’ and YouTube I’m ‘The Sam Adamson’

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

To laugh frequently 

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