Charles Booth talks about his new sketch show.

1. Tell us about your career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I began doing comedy more regularly with The Oxford Revue way back when in 2008. In the middle of the time since though, I spent two years in Toronto, 'honing my craft' at the improv and sketch Mecca, The Second City. Solo sketch has been what I've dedicated my life to since I got back in the country.

Sure, I'd like to be a bigger player on the comedy scene and achieve far greater things, but I think slow growth is incredibly important for sustainability in this industry.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

I play a wide variety of endearing and alluring characters, all kicking off with an interpretive ballet routine about the journey of sperm!

3. Why are you putting yourself through this famously stressful experience?

Because nowhere else in the world do you have the opportunity to (potentially) present your material to a huge swathe of people who have never even heard of you before.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Since the show is called Deer in the Spotlights, I have made several pairs of pretty-impressive-if-I-do-say-myself antlers. I'm not a great fan of flyering gimmicks, but if it'll help to break the ice with the punters, I'll strut my stuff wearing them on the Royal Mile!

5. How much money do you think you'll lose/make this year?

Losses could be anything between £1,000-4,000 (first time at a paid venue so it's an adventure into the unknown).

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

Last year, on two separate, consecutive nights, I was in two separate, completely regular bars and out of nowhere a burlesque performer started up her act on the dance floor. It was a bizarre coincidence but one I'm keen to repeat.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Spencer Jones performs his absurdist clowning material with a cheeky Cheshire Cat smile I just can't get enough of. Nick Hall is really coming into his own as a character comedian. And the In Cahoots boys always bring out some really intelligent concepts for hilarious sketches.

8. If you took over programming a venue, what would you perfect line-up of comedians be?

I'd love to see what the Beyond The Fringe boys (Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett, Jonathan Miller) would make out of modern sketch comedy. Steve Martin would be a really unique addition. (I wish I could wear that white suit on stage!) And an improv troupe full of friends from my time in Canada; they're all superlatively talented and I miss hanging out with them!

9. Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

Genghis Khan - I get the impression he'd take a couple of comps for my show, but never actually bother to turn up. Typical!

10. Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,700+ other comedy offerings at this year's festival?

Tough question because I know there's a lot of really fascinating acts out there I myself would love to see, but personally, I don't think any one single comedy performer works with such a variety of different styles and characters as me.

'Charles Booth: Deer in the Spotlights' is at 5:20pm at Just the Tonic at The Mash House on 6-17, 19-30 August. Listing