Entertainment lawyer and producer Mike Blaha has been coming to the Fringe for 25 years. He’s also produced films and theatre shows in the US and worked with a range of high profile talent – including Zsa Zsa Gabor.
That’s his day job – but Mike has always been a funny guy and he’s now decided to try his hand at stand up. His new show is about travelling in search of the world’s funniest joke.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
Mike Blaha: International Joke is about my life as a digital nomad in search of the world’s best jokes. You should go see it so I can satisfy my Release on Temporary License requirements. Also if you like travel shows. And laughing.
What is your favourite thing about your show?
That it is relatable to everyone who has ever gone on holiday. And it involves goats. Not sexually, you sicko.
Do you have a Fringe idol?
It’s a tie between Karen Koren, Kate Copstick and Mervyn Stutter.
Karen is celebrating 40 years of running Gilded. Her passion for promoting Fringe productions and nurturing new talent is inspiring. Copstick is a comedy guru/journo who has always impressed me with her intelligence, wit and honesty. Mervyn is a legend who has produced and performed in the essential Fringe institution for over 30 years and is still going strong.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Happy-go-lucky. And why not?
Who are you looking forward to seeing in Edinburgh?
Henry Naylor’s new show “Monstering the Rocketman”, Rosie O’Donnell. Tons of friends that I see once a year, like summer camp
What do you hope to achieve in Edinburgh – what are your hopes and dreams?
Just to make enough people laugh enough times in an hour to continue on doing this. I am setting the bar at 3 and 7
What are the biggest obstacles you face as a performer at the Fringe?
By far the biggest obstacle is that many people in the Fringe community know me as a producer here for the last 25 years and don’t take me seriously as a performer.
What do you hope the audience will take away after an hour in your company?
That notwithstanding our language and cultural differences – that we can and should laugh at goodnaturedly, humans are basically the same all over the world.
How do you plan to relax and recharge when not on stage?
Not much chance of that as we are producing 14 shows in Edinburgh this year, but I love walking the city and getting to the gym once or twice a week. Later in the month, some friends form the US are coming in to town so I will take some time to hang out with them.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe day?
Roll out of bed around 9:00 a.m., catch up with my flatmates, maybe get breakfast at Taste of Italy or New Town Deli or grab some coffee at Wellington Coffee or Black Sheep on George Street. See a really good theatre piece and a great comedy show, drinks with friends at one of the venue bars or the White Hart. Rinse and repeat.
Mike Blaha International Joke, 18.35 Greenside George Street #236
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mike-blaha-international-joke
