Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
My show is called ‘Shots Fired’ and it’s about a false alarm terror attack I was involved in on Oxford Street in 2017. Everyone went into total panic mode because we all thought we were going to die, Pop star Olly Murrs was there, hiding in Selfridges basement tweeting about it and we all got mocked by the papers and social media after.
Basically it’s a stand up comedy show about people (myself included) trying to survive for 35 mins in Central London and all the events of that day. It’s fast paced and full of jokes and I can comfortably say there is no other show at the fringe like it (Unless Murrs decides to ruin everything again and do a stand up show about it this year). Anyone who likes comedy that’s a bit rude/dark and doesn’t take itself too seriously should come see it. If you like your comedy earnest and with a serious message- this show is not for you.
Are you flying solo or are you part of a team?
This show is just me doing an hour of my best stand up. My team all perished in a horrific dance off with a rival crew last year as sad as it was I feel stronger without them. I do have my brilliant agent and producer behind me this year and that’s definitely a plus as doing it all alone is terrifying.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Fringe?
I want this Fringe to be my launch pad to comedy superstardom, but my ambitions don’t stop there- after acting in movies, selling out Wembley and Mars I would like to enter into politics and then become a dictator of the UK and eventually the entire western world, from that point I will start World War 3 which will be horrible for everyone but everything up to that point will be fun.
What makes you laugh?
Funny jokes, people standing on loose planks, good stand up, my friends and my wife.
What is it that made you a performer?
My friends all used to encourage me to do it and I love the sound of laughter that I have created- the sound of other people getting laughs makes me physically sick.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
I think they will think I am a bit of a twat but hopefully a funny one, I want them to walk away having had a great and unique hour of entertainment. As I said there is no other shows like this at the fringe and the experience is unique to me so if I do my job properly, people will leave feeling like that my show was the only show at the fringe that they could have the experience that they did. Though my main and pretty much only objective is to make people laugh, so hopefully the audience leave in stomach pain after laughing solidly for an hour at my misfortune.
Whose show – apart from your own – are you looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Seann Walsh, Jayde Adams, Bobby Mair, Harriet Kemsley, Helen Bauer, Sunil Patel.
What’s the most useful piece of advice you’ve been given?
Be really nice to the least talented person in the room, cause one day they will be in charge.
Do you have a favourite Fringe memory?
Sitting on the train at Edinburgh station knowing that it’s all over and I am going home. Though I have had great times there- hanging out with performers and receiving nice reviews etc, It’s always a relief when it’s over. The Fringe is a year long build up of self doubt and huge financial costs so it’s always a relief when it’s over, especially if it has gone well.
At the moment probably Bill Burr, worked his arse off for ages and has become, in my mind, the best in the world. I saw him at the Fringe in 2016 and he was brilliant, it was in a smallish room for an act of his standing (about 500 seats) and I was blown away by his stage craft, joke writing and delivery.
Red Richardson: Shots Fired, 21.55 Pleasance Courtyard, Until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/red-richardson-shots-fired
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