Mark Dean Quinn’s show ‘Mark Dean Quinn: Oh No (That’s Not Your Cheese)’ has become one of the most talked about shows on the Fringe. Here, in his own words, he explains why he’s eating so much cheese and why he is doing it in front of an audience. His show, at 1.50am at Banshee Labyrinth is part of PBH Free Fringe, and has been attracting huge crowds every night.
So why do you eat so much cheese you ask? The things I love can rarely be explained. I’m not opposed to jokes but I find them limiting. For myself a joke feels like building a house around laughter and saying this is where your fun lives. It’s like saying: ‘I love you’ rather than the feeling of being in love.
In truth, I’m not a fan of laughter. I know that’s a strange thing for a comedian to say. Laughter can do a great deal of good. It can even be healing but laughter can be damaging and cruel. It often depends on the reason for the laugh. Laughter can be used to belittle, other and mock.
That said, the silliest thing can be extremely cathartic. A few years ago I had a show. The routine was simple. I very slowly placed a tiny golden elephant in the hand of an audience member and if they started laughing I would start the process of putting it in their hand again. The one thing I do love about a laugh is that can be the gateway to a giggle and in this case the person I was putting the elephant into the had of started to laugh and then giggle.
After the gig the partner of the person on stage said would it be ok if their husband spoke to me as them laughing and giggling had been so special because they had PTSD from going to war and ever since they had come home from war they hadn’t laughed.
Moments like that are why I eat cheese or do other stupid things. What I do will never be for everyone. For some, what I do will never be enough but the space in my routines gives people the chance to find their own way without the comedy being forced on them. To some, it is not funny or not even comedy. They are not wrong, at least from their own personal perspective. I’m not Bobby Davro. With Davro you can judge whether you like his comedy. For some people he will be the best night out they will ever have and for others he won’t be funny at all but everyone agrees he is a comedian. I eat cheese. If you do not find me funny I am just someone who consumes a vast amount of cheese. There is more to my routine than cheese eating but I know why the audience is there.
I’m so busy. Many nights I’m turning people away. I have no flyers, posters, PR and didnt send out a press release. I’m not even registered with the Fringe Society because I object to one of their sponsors.
But at 1.50 am at Banshee Labyrinth a kind of magic can happen. I’m turning people. A person giggled so much they slid of their chair. People have apologised for giggling so much that they can’t breathe or Assumed the foetal position to help with the cramps they have from giggling so long. My comedy isn’t for everyone but for some people not only does it hit their funny bone but it shatters it. I have been so worried about how much some people are laughing I have felt the need to check if they have asthma because they are struggling to breathe And that’s why I eat cheese. Sometimes a giggle can change your life. On the day of one of the previous shows. I wasnt having the best day. I left quickly after the show, went home and couldn’t sleep. I came in the next. I’d rushed of so quickly that I’d left my money behind in the bucket. The staff at the venue are amazing and had saved the contents of my collection bucket including a note. (See main pic).
It’s been a tough few months. Laughter helped. Thanks. : ) I’ll be back.
Maybe laughter isn’t so bad. That’s why I eat cheese at 1.50am.
Mark Dean Quinn: Oh No (That’s Not Your Cheese), 1.50 am, PBH Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, until August 25
