Laurence Clark: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Laurence Clark answers 10 questions about his 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 doing stand-up and first came to the fringe in 2003. I've performed everywhere from the House of Commons to a double-decker bus in Sheffield. My family and I were the subject of the BBC1 documentary called We Won't Drop the Baby and I've been a presenter for BBC Newsnight.

I was awarded Shortlist magazine's Funniest New Comedian and have been a finalist in the Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Awards. I've blogged for BBC Ouch, The Independent and The Guardian and regularly perform with the comedy collective Abnormally Funny People. I'd like to do more TV work and have just shot a taster tape for a sitcom called Intolerable which I've created with director Matt Holt.

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

1. I use the exact same accessible computer mouse as Kim Jong Un.

2. At the age of 13 I sold a piece of software to BBC Ceefax for £130.

3. I also have a successful career as a part-time dog trainer in St Helens.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

It's about my stint in Scottish dance theatre (I'm a wheelchair user!), being impersonated by Daniel Radcliffe and uses for 500 incontinence pads!

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

My main cunning plan is to be as funny as I possibly can, as ultimately that's what people are paying to see. I'm also promising partial nudity, also whether this is a draw or not remains to be seen!

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

It'll go the same way it's always gone - badly! I have to stay in a budget hotel when I'm up here as it's really hard to find wheelchair accessible accommodation. This means I haven't got access to a kitchen and have to rely on eating out all the time. My plan always seems to be to go to the gym and get in shape afterwards but this never seems to happen.

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

Sorry, but I've got to say my family. The worst thing about the Fringe for me is definitely leaving my wife and 2 sons for 4 weeks, but at least this year they are coming up to stay for a week.

The Fringe seems to be a much friendlier place for kids nowadays, with more shows aimed at them and a number of play areas. I can still vividly remember getting stuck outside in the pouring rain 8 years ago at the Pleasance Courtyard in the middle of the day because children back then were not allowed inside the building because of licensing laws.

My kids actually prefer going to see shows with me at the Fringe because, due to the temporary nature of the venues, the spaces for wheelchair users are usually on the front row so we get great seats. When we go to the theatre at home we're usually stuck miles away from the action on the back row, where it's difficult for a restless 5 year old to engage with what's going on.

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

Mainly catch up with old friends. I've spent so much time working up here over the years that it's now like a second home. In fact I have a better social life up here than when I'm back in Liverpool - probably because I usually don't have my kids with me!

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

Harry Hill, Seymour Mace, Larry David, Louis CK, my mates Steve Day and Tanyalee Davis... and of course me!

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

Probably Daniel Radcliffe as I do a hell of a lot of material about him in the show, although he started it by impersonating me!

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

Because it is the only show where you get to laugh at a man with poor dexterity losing a game of Twister!

'Laurence Clark: Independence' is at Assembly George Square Theatre at 7pm until the 28th August. Listing