Mind-reading comedian Doug Segal talks about how he's being PAID to perform at this year's Fringe.

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

I've been a full time performer since 2005, initially as a "straight" mind reading act.
I began adding comedy to the act in 2008 and kinda graduated to the point where I'm a "mind reading comedian" rather than a "comedy mind reader" around 2011.

There's always room for more. I'm in an odd situation. I'm a comedy act but I'm also a variety act. I close Jongleurs but I get booked for corporates where people want a variety act.
I'm very fortunate though. I've had a national tour promoted by Mick Perrin Worldwide, three sold out runs at Edinburgh, two awards and a bunch of TV & Radio appearances.
That said, I'd like people to start thinking of me as more of a mainstream act that could appear on say QI. I don't like being pigeon holed.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Learn to read minds, implant suggestions and detect lies while a large man with a beard like Brian Blessed tells slightly smutty jokes.

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

I wasn't going to!
I hadn't written a new show for this year and was planning a year off when Blonde Ambition/The Voodoo Rooms/The Assembly Rooms said "Hey! If we paid ALL the costs, put you up in a flat and gave you some money would you bring that show you won all the awards with back up?".
Yup - I'm being paid to be there! Imagine that!

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I have a new agent and he's booked me into 50 guest spots and counting. If that doesn't generate some traffic...

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

Like I say: I'm being paid to be there!

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

My comic book author hero, Neil Gaiman, came to see my show my very first year and stuck around after the show to chat with me. I was so nervous I knocked all my props over in this grotty backstage room at The Three Sisters and Neil started helping me pick it all up.
I suddenly thought "I'm on my hands and knees scrabbling around in the dirt in an Edinburgh pub picking up ping pong balls with NEIL FRIKKEN GAIMAN!!!!!"

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

I've booked to see Polyphony by Daniel Kitson.
I've also heard Milo McCabe's show is wonderful.
Richard Gadd's shows/public breakdowns are also an annual highlight for me.

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

I'd love to see: Johnny Vegas, Kitson doing stand-up, Mark Doherty (David's brother who no longer does stand-up) and Eddie Izzard.

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

One of the best things about the Festival is bumping into friends and people who will become friends. There's no one I want to avoid. Although Daniel Sloss plays a "game" with Eric Lampaert where they punch each other in the knackers - I could happily live without becoming involved in that.

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

It's the only comedy show where every single audience member will go home with a mind trick they can do with their friends and one audience member will be taught to read the minds of the rest of the audience. Genuinely.

'How to Read Minds and Influence People' is at 7:35pm at The Voodoo Rooms on 7-9, 11-16, 18-23, 25-30 August. Listing