Fringe comedy debut: Bobby Mair
The Canadian comedian performs debut solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013
What do you think might work out as the best piece of advice you receive ahead of your Fringe debut?
Don't read reviews.
What do you expect will be the least useful piece of advice?
Don't read reviews, because I know I'm not going to follow the advice.
Imagine this is September: looking back at August, what would constitute a successful Fringe?
If I'm able to think about it without having night terrors.
In krugerrands, how much do you expect to lose during the Fringe?
Enough to move to South Africa and build a company that improves the value of the krugerrand so much it would be a less exorbitant number.
Back in the old days, there used to be a thing called ‘the festival shag’. Is this ancient tradition likely to play any part in your thinking during August?
I'm staying with my girlfriend for the month so I hope it happens at least once.
Back in the old days, comedians would drink alcohol solidly for a whole month and still manage to get out and do their show every day: how much are you likely to imbibe per day?
I don't drink which suggests my biological parents aren't Scottish. On stage it makes me a wreck. I'd probably end up naked. Although that's happened sober so who knows.
What qualities do you expect from a Fringe venue?
A room with chairs pointed at a working microphone. Anything else is a pleasant surprise.
Will you read your reviews before your run is over and if so, how do you think they will affect you as a comedian and as a human being?
As mentioned about yes I will, and they will only hurt me horribly or inflate my ego to a point where I'll push all those close to me away.
Next year, will you consider returning as a double act?
No. I hate working with other people.
Do you undertake any superstitious rituals before going on stage?
Self-hatred, followed by scribbling joke ideas and repeat.
If you were about to perform at the Fringe for your tenth year, where would you expect your career to be at that point?
Where's there's a group of degenerates and vagrants who come and see what I'm up to every year.
The Tron, 556 5375, 3–25 Aug (not 13), 7.40pm, £8.50–£10. Previews 1 & 2 Aug, £5.