The subject of today’s Q&A is Jack Harris

^{Picture: James Barber}

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve been ever been given from a seasoned comic? 

No one knows what you’re about to say.

And what has proved to be the least useful? 

You should listen to my podcast.

Is there one thing that keeps cropping up when people talk to you about Edinburgh in August? 

‘Where are you staying?’ If you’re reading this in August, hopefully I’ll have sorted it by then.

What’s your favourite word that begins in ‘e’? 

Probably should be ‘education’ but it’s ‘egg’.

Is there one act you absolutely HAVE to see in August?

Sean McLoughlin. Always absolutely great.

If I haven’t solved the teacher crisis then I’ve failed

Picture yourself in early September: what would constitute a successful Fringe for you? 

If you expect too much from the Fringe then you’re setting yourself up for a tough month. But if I leave Edinburgh without having solved the teacher crisis then I’ll have failed.

What percentage of your early stand-up performances is likely to appear in your Fringe debut? 

Thankfully not that much. I had a very long bit about Coolio’s cookbook probably being in the British Library vaults which audiences never went with. If I’m honest, it deserved more. 

Which other new comedian do you feel a special kinship with? And do you reckon it’s reciprocated? 

It’s got to be two: Rajiv Karia and Jake Farrell. A pair of idiots who make me laugh a lot.

Which side of your family do you get your funny bones from? 

The intentional ones from my dad. Unintentional from my mum.

What will you do to keep fit and healthy (relatively speaking) during August? 

At the start, going for a run. By the end, curbing kebabs to just one a day.

Which word of six letters or more will crop up the most in your Edinburgh show?

If it’s not ‘teacher’ then something’s gone seriously wrong. 

Jack Harris: Teaching Teachers How To Teach, Just The Tonic At The Mash House, 4–28 August, 1.55pm.