Ed Cook: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Ed Cook 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 this year doing small things here and there but this is my first significant stand-up thing. I figured I should throw myself in the deep end.

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

1. I hate these two truth and one lie games.

2. My name is Edward Benjafield Cook.

3. I was raised by wolves and suckled on the milk of my mother wolf until I was 16 and finally left the wolf pack to start a new life.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

Ed Cook's Comedy Thing is a flight of fantasy that is very weird and very funny, probably. Watch it now it's great.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I'm going to lay a small trail of cheese that will hopefully lure in cheese lovers. I have no basis for this belief, but I do think that cheese lovers are probably more likely to enjoy my show.

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

I'm going to take a banana on stage and eat it if I ever need to remember my lines, just so that I have something to do to fill the pause.

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

Being free from the crushing pressure of having to gain self validation through the laughter of Fringe crowds.

And decent internet.

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

Food and watching other performers.

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

Stewart Lee, Eddie Izzard and Ricky Gervais. Then maybe their love children so I could appreciate a crude amalgamation of three distinct types of comedy that I love.

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

A murderer, I guess. I can't really think of anyone specific I would want to avoid.

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

Firstly to try something new, obviously there will be comedians with a similar style, but I think I've got something interesting to offer, I'm dealing with big issues like religion, Brexit and achieving your dreams in a very whimsical way.

Secondly, there's a chance I could be the next... Madonna - she's pretty famous, right? Imagine telling your kids you saw the next Madonna when he was just starting out.

Finally, it'll be quite lonely if you don't come... humans are social creatures, we thrive on social interactions. I'm not saying I'll die if you don't come and support, but I probably will.

'Ed Cook's Comedy Thing' is at Spotlites at 7:40pm until the 28th August. Listing