Tell us about your show.
My show this year is called “Simon Munnery”, a title loosely based on my own name. It will begin with a beautiful democratic gesture, and after some related anecdotes will proceed with a melange of jokes, poems and stories, new material and material so old it will seem new. There will be improvising and parping on a harmonica and the deployment of a flip chart. Hopefully it will develop a narrative arc of some sort, but I can’t be certain of that at this stage. It will last fifty minutes, but don’t you worry; it will feel like an hour.
Why should we go and see it?
Because it’s on.
What makes you laugh?
My own jokes mainly. For example:
When every room you’re in
Faintly reeks of urine
It is time
To wash your trousers .
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Turgid, moronic, dull. Because I am my own worst critic.
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them?
Yes, I think you have to. I chain smoke and drink a pint of cider, do lots of pointless pacing. But I’ve found the best way is to be knackered and ill. So that’s my aim.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
I get lentil & bacon soup from The Square, and I eat it in St Andrew Square.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
They will be overwhelmed with an immense sense of pity, and faintly bamboozled.
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
I haven’t realised. I was born to be the dictator of a small Mediterranean island. It just hasn’t worked out yet. But, you know, fingers crossed.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
There’s nothing better than working on a show every day for a month. Except perhaps hot sex with a woman you fancy.
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing.
I have fallen in love with The Royal Oak and I go there to enjoy the folk who make folk
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
Bob Dylan. Some say he’s a genius, others that he has an annoying voice. I wasn’t sure which side of that divide I fell on but someone told me once I had an annoying voice, so I deduced Bob Dylan must be a genius.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
The souvenir one made of wood in the shape of a koala. Oh no, that’s my favourite fridge magnet.
I like to meet someone new and have a good chat. It’s getting hard to do though because I’ve been going 38 years and I’ve nearly met everyone.
Simon Munnery is at The Stand at 15:00 from August 1 – 26
