The Heretical Historians' Matthew Jameson talks to us about their 2015 Fringe show.

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

I've been writing and performing at Fringes since 2011, but have been pretty set on developing a career since my early teens. I've had a fairly good run as a writer, with a few decent credits under my belt and some very kind reviews. As a performer I've found the best way to find work that matches your strengths is simply to get things off the ground yourself, or work with likeminded people. I love the fact that I've always been able to work on projects that I find satisfying and rewarding, but it's financially draining and ties you to the day job. In the past I've collaborated a lot with others, and this year setting up the company has brought a whole new set of challenges, but I'm glad that we have a chance to make a place for ourselves.

I'm also pretty keen to get back into stand-up, I gigged a lot while studying and haven't found the time to re-learn/develop my set and get back into it.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

It's the most absurd history that you've never heard of. We've got Lenin, Caesar, pirates, Persians, snakes and booze. A story for everyone!

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

As a new company, I find it's incredibly hard to be taken seriously unless you have had a presence at the Fringe or have some reviews to back you up, so we're hoping that this year will give us a chance to make a bit of a name for ourselves. It's also such a fantastic place to meet people and see so many other shows; it's the closest you can have to a working holiday at this stage of your career.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Along with the many other thousands we've got a few stunts for the mile prepared. The fact our lads can charm the hind legs off a donkey (and drink enough to floor an elephant) means we're sending them on a nightly challenge to ramble to as many people as possible after the show. We're also looking to document any surreal history as we go about the city, possibly some videos, so watch our Twitter!

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

Despite the fact that we've done very well with our pre-sales, this year was always inevitably a money pit for us. As a new group it can be incredibly hard to draw people as it can be a real gamble on their part, but we're hoping a few more people will stumble off the beaten track and come to find us.

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

There was a night last year when I went to see Will Mars's Joke Thieves with a friend, and afterwards we hung out in the bar talking to a lot of really successful comics and I think we were quite nervous so ended up searching our glasses for some Dutch courage. The night ended with the two of us in a bicycle rickshaw riding on a couple of loops of Newtown trying to touch pedestrian's hats. After getting dropped off we realised we had to walk back to Newington and perform at Midday the next day.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

The only one I've pre-booked is Stewart Lee, who I absolutely adore. I'm really keen to see Sam Simmons live, having only seen clips. I'm a big fan of Joke Thieves too, though not purely because of last year's misadventure. Apart from that there's a group I know called Mixtape who I've seen a few times that always put on a great evening.

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

As mentioned I'm a big fan of Stewart Lee, so he would be my headliner. I'd have David Kay, Stephen Carlin, Sam Simmons, Sara Pascoe and a few comics I know, like Niall Pickvance, a really sharp and solid Lancastrian lad. I'd have a couple of sketch groups in there if possible, I really like the Hot Gulp and The Jest.

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

I'm pretty easy-going and I'm yet to find myself a nemesis, so there's no major panic on my part about a chance meeting. I guess if I saw some of my old secondary school teachers they'd have a few choice 'I told you so's about not applying myself and staying as a class clown.

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

It's a fun evening of variety, there's a chance to learn some (genuinely) interesting history and the tickets are ridiculously cheap. On top of that we've got over 100 fake snakes, so there's a pretty spectacular finale!

'The Greatest Stories Never Told' is at 7:35pm at theSpace Surgeons Hall on 17-22, 24-29 August. Listing