Lucille Cailly: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Lucille Cailly 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've been extremely lucky. I started stand-up early 2015. I used to be a professional poker player. I met Geoff Whiting (producer of the show) and Chris Head (director of the show) and told them my life story. And they were adamant we should make a one woman show out of it. And voilà! Needless to say, I'm very happy with where I'm at.

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.

1. I have 7 tatoos.
2. I suck my thumb when very tired.
3. I have a dog named Pringles Pizzalicious.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

It is a stand-up multimedia show about rough childhood, poker (obviously), drugs and redemption and still manage to be funny, yeah for real!

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

When you come from Paris, you tend to think everybody is a bit of a d***. When I moved to London, I realised that might not be true. And then I came to Edinburgh where everyone has been so damn helpful. So, so far I've been really good at making people promote my show: a taxi driver has been giving my flyers away (and only mine), a new friend is doing the same in his pub and so are few other people just out of the kindness of their heart.

I'm honestly thinking about moving here now!

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

I'm a vegetarian. The plan was to have 3 healthy meals a day (instead of sometimes just 1, sometimes 7), keep the drinking to a minimum and keep exercising.

So far, I had 3 meals a day, very healthy and then I covered every bits of them with cheese... And I discovered that one night, a little drunk, I answered a promotional email from Victoria Secret, telling them that they were destroying young girls's self esteem with their unrealist standards for women. I have no recollection of sending this. And didn't know I got so damn righteous (but right) when drunk.

So yeah...
But hey, my flat is on the third floor without a lift so I think it evens out, right?

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

My bed. I've spend my adult life trying to create the perfect sleeping experience. And let me tell you, it's exceptional.

The right room temperature, the perfect cloud-like mattress and the ideal fluff/support ratio for the pillows. Even the noise the duvet makes when I move is like a lullaby!

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

So many things actually: seeing as many shows as I can, meeting people from every background with extraordinary talent, sightseeing (as a poker player, I used to travel a lot but I was spending my days in casinos. Now everywhere I go, I take in as much of the city as I can) and just having a general blinding time!

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

Richard Ayoade
David Mitchell
Jerry Seinfeld (I discovered stand up through him)
Simon Amstell
Olivier Giraud
Tina Fey
Amy Poelher
Stewart Lee
Florence Foresti
Dave Gorman
And since nobody said they had to be alive: George Carlin

I could go on for ever so I'll stop. I know I'm going very mainstream here but hey, I love those guys and I would make s***loads of money with that line-up!

Also realising I clearly need to educate myself about female British comedians. Well, I'm in the right place.

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

I'd rather not cross the path of a unicorn because as I explain in the show, I'm pretty sure I'm responsible for their extinction... So if there is actually one left, it might me pretty pissed at me.

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

First, I need to say that even if you haven't played poker at all in your life, you'll still enjoy the show. Absolutely no previous knowledge is required.

I promise that you'll be very surprised by the creative choices we made and that you'll have a great time. Also my brand new expertise at PowerPoint and Photoshop will mesmerise you!

But above all, come on the remote chance that I'll actually make you a poker millionaire!

'How to Become a Poker Millionaire (and Still Be a Loser)' is at Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 7:40pm on 4-14, 16-28 Aug. Listing