Mark Steel, much loved explorer of British towns, political firebrand, cancer survivor, author and podcaster, brings his new show What the F*** Is Going On to the Fringe from August 6 – 16. He promises to bring lots of silly voices and funny jokes and to question why the craziest people on earth have been allowed to run the world.
He will try not to come up with any answers..
Tell us about your show.    Why should we go and see it?
I like to think I’m going against the kind of show most stand ups do where they have something important to say. I’m not going to do that this year. There are going to be lots of funny jokes and silly voices.
I will also be explaining at the end everything that is wrong in the world and how people can put it right.
Do you have a Fringe idol?
I think my Fringe idol is the man who did a show in his living room dressed as a cricketer and did a show about cricket. There were six of us there. Then there were the people who did a punk version of Reservoir Dogs.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
I am relentless.
Why? I don’t know. It’s a question of nature versus nurture. Was I born this way or did I become this way. I did a show about that once
Who are you looking forward to seeing in Edinburgh?
I’m looking forward to doing what I do every year at the Fringe, which is walk up a road and go to the very first show that’s on – regardless of what it is. I have done that every year since I was about 24. Amost everything I have seen by doing that has been marvellous.
What do you hope to achieve in Edinburgh – what are your hopes and dreams?
I am hoping by the end of it I am able to form a cult that has a fifty fifty chance of taking over the country.
What are the biggest obstacles you face as a performer at the Fringe?
The biggest problem is that everyone else is doing shows. If they weren’t doing that everyone would come to my show.
What do you hope the audience will take away after an hour in your company?
I hope they laugh.
If they come away and say: ‘That made me think and made me re evaluate every idea I have ever had – that’s a disaster.
How do you plan to relax and recharge when not on stage?
I’m old now – so I’ll relax by going back to my flat and watching an old episode of Columbo and doing Wordle.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe day?
A perfect Fringe day would be to meet lots of mates and have a couple of cups of tea.
I love the Meadows Pitch and Putt course. It’s brilliant. I spend a lot of time there. Then I might go down Leith Walk and visit the Darts and Television shop.
Mark Steel, What the F*** Is Going On, 15.45 Assembly Rooms, August 6 – 16
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mark-steel-what-the-f-is-going-on
