Athena Kugblenu: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Athena Kugblenu 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?

Started in 2012, a BBC New Comedy Award Finalist in 2015 and taking my first show to Edinburgh in 2016. I think 4 and a bit years in is a good time to be baring my soul to tourists and empty chairs...

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (but mix them up, keep us guessing!).

1. Cheese makes me itch.

2. I was a promising grime MC in my teens.

3. I have never won a raffle.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

Sex, feminism, race, politics, immigration, gross misconduct and hair. I only need 9 words. I will spend the other 17 words on filler.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

No! I need some, any ideas? I am so bad at this I write jokes and perform them I am not Saatchi and Saatchi. I'll Tweet?

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

My plans are to pick up healthy food and put it in my mouth. Also, I plan not to spend much money eating out because I don't have any money so that choice has been made for me my circumstance.

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

Walking down the street and not seeing somebody I know. Making eye contact with someone and not handing them flyer. Keeping my word ("Sure! I'll come see your show!!!").

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

Visiting the museum, I quite like it there. Running up Calton Hill. I also like running around the base of Arthur's Seat. Maybe a trip to Glasgow because it has been a lifelong dream of mine to see the Tunnocks Factory. So running and a visit to a biscuit factory - that's balance.

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

Grainne Maguire
Jamali Maddix
Me (sorry...)
Dane Baptiste
Spencer Jones

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

My old managers at a previous job (you'd have to watch the show to find out why).

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

Because I paid for it to get some kind of premium listing and I could have used that money to eat out a couple times but I will be sat at home eating pasta just to get some attention.

Seriously, my show is like a new take on personal and political comedy. Hear and laugh at stuff you already knew and stuff you never even noticed. Come with an open mind and you will leave feeling enlightened and humoured.

'Reality Check' is at Southside Social at 10pm from the 13th to 28th August. Listing