Musical comedy double-act Strangely Doesburg and Claire Healy talk about forming their partnership and performing at the Fringe.

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

Claire's first stand-up gig was when she was still at primary school, quoting Monty Python (complete with ridiculous accents) to an audience of her parents. She reckons she said a lot of very rude things she didn't understand at the time... She did her first solo cabaret show in 2012, Flamboyant, Like a Flame but Buoyant, which a lovely gentleman name Strangely attended a year later... She spends quite a bit of time traipsing around the world having adventures, teaching singing on Greek islands, serenading Pakistani men in airports and writing lots of songs with varying levels of silliness. So not complaining right now! Especially on the cusp of Fringe craziness and her first visit to the US to hang out with Strangely on his home turf for the first time.

Strangely's first attempt at comedy took place during secondary school, a performance which destroyed his social standing and sent several other students running from the room in tears. In his early twenties Strangely rediscovered a different kind of comedy when he started working with small American circuses as a clown and show host. Naturally he purchased an accordion, learned to play it (this has been debated) and now tours full time as an Accordion-Cabaret Troubadour. Never afraid to push the boundaries of his audiences to get a laugh, Strangely has recently risen to prominence for his family-friendly striptease acts and winning improvisational comedy style. Since joining forces with Claire he has discovered the benefits of sleeping in actual beds while on tour instead of sleeping in local bus shelters.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

An accordion, ukulele cabaret party with stomping, gin, bowler hats, tiny bells, gin, magnificent whiskers, gin, shoe burlesque, gin and so much love.

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

Because it's a magnificent, riotous adventure. We get to do what we love with people we love to people who love to be there. How could we not?
We met each other at Fringe two years ago, from opposite ends of the globe, so coming here with our show is like coming back home!

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Now that would be telling! We're very good at spruiking each other. We head out onto the street with some songs and spontaneous climbing, Strangely might balance something on his face...

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

Sweet Venues have been so supportive of us. We were nurtured in the Sweet womb last year so they've made it possible for this all to happen this year and not cost us the world! I think we should break even. If we spruik reeeeeeal good. We can write off the gin we buy for the show on our tax returns yes?

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

Claire: I think the weirdest and most wonderful experience was meeting a big, beardy American who seemed to spontaneously give me his accordion and promise to do a show with me... which then happened a year and a bit later.

Strangely: I think the weirdest and most wonderful experience was meeting a tiny, beardless Australian who seemed to like my spontaneously given accordion and promise to do a show with her... which then happened a year and a bit later.

...also seeing one of Christine Machine's burly, G-stringed back up dancers launch into the crowd to make out with an audience member last year.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

We really enjoyed Winter Is Coming last year and are looking forward to the updated version this year. Michelle from Backwards Anorak is doing a solo show, Space Tortoise, as well, which we're very interested to see. Claire is playing piano for her, so we're especially interested in what will happen as she hasn't seen most of it yet! We will also be dancing in various levels of undress to any performance by Tomas Ford that we can manage to attend.

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

Claire would like to see John Cleese, Tim Minchin and the Creative Martyrs start a band with Gandini juggling. Strangely would follow that show up with a performance of Chris Turner telling jokes while accompanied by the Kabaret Bastardo, with special guests Red Bastard and Birdmann.

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

Claire would like to avoid the various people who have pissed her off, who she has then written songs about and put on YouTube... Strangely would like to avoid Miranda from Broadway Baby, she wrote mean things about him one time and probably has no soul.

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

You will leave with a smile on your face and a deep and undying love of accordion-cabaret parties in your heart, and quite possibly your pants. We absolutely guarantee that you will probably enjoy 100% of the time you spend with us!

'Strangely Flamboyant' is at 9:40pm at Sweet Grassmarket on 11-29 August. Listing