Alice Fraser: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Alice Fraser answers 10 questions about her 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show.

Give us a quick overview of your comedy career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I started comedy in my first year of uni, sort of by accident, in the form of improv. From there, the university revues, and when I went to Cambridge, the Footlights smokers.
I loved working collaboratively, but then my friend Benita and I double dared each other to try stand-up, because there were so few women out there, and none with our particular sense of humour. Then I went to NY for a year (2010) and started doing stand-up for real. About two years later I quit my job as a corporate lawyer and started doing comedy full time.
I don't always have lots of money these days, but I do have a lot of satisfaction and freedom and critical acclaim and fun and the meaningless love of strangers, which is usually what you'd use money to buy anyway. (Food and rent are for suckers.)

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.

1. I once met a donkey who was in love with a dog. Its name was also Alice. I took it as an object lesson for my life about setting realistic goals.
2. I once woke up with a really cool idea for an article in my head and wrote it down, only to find out later that it was word for word the first chapter of a book I'd read about a year before. Humiliating but impressive.
3. I don't date comedians.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

The Resistance is about the line between comedy and tragedy. Also, what it takes to be a good person. Also, it's pretty excellent.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Beg. Flirt. Reveal intimate details. Play the banjo on the street. Fill out questionnaires in reputable publications.

What's your plan for trying to eat - and drink - healthily during the Fringe?

I believe a healthy body starts with a healthy mind, so I read a lot about fitness. While eating chocolate. I also don't drink, like a koala. I get all my liquids from eucalyptus leaves and I make a more terrifying noise than you would imagine from looking at my cute fuzzy face.

What will you miss most while you're away from home?

Beaches. Knowing what things cost. Sleep.

Aside from performing, what else are you looking forward to doing in Scotland's fine capital?

Hahahaha, flyering?
For real, seeing other people's shows. Having a whole portable community of performers in a gorgeous city with me. The tea and cake.

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

Oh gosh. Andy Zaltzman, Felicity Ward, Tom Ballard, Sammy J and Randy, Jamali Maddix, Tiff Stevenson, Katherine Ryan, Lou Sanders, Rhys Nicholson, Daniel Kitson, Zoe Coombs-Marr... I'm definitely forgetting at least 48 names here. So many good acts at this festival!

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

Nobody wants to meet a three star review. It's the nothing of reviews.

Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,800+ other Fringe offerings listed on BCG this year?

Because it's the only one with me in it. (Other than my other show)

'Alice Fraser: The Resistance' is at Gilded Balloon at 8:15pm on 29 Jul; 3-29 Aug. Listing