Rik Carranza: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Rik Carranza 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?

My stand-up career started in 2009 on the back of a £1 bet at the end of the Edinburgh Fringe that year. After many pints and me saying how much I'd love to give stand up comedy a try, a friend of mine bet me £1 that I wouldn't do it. Of course, having that many drinks in me, and being Scottish, meant I went for it.

I did my first show in Edinburgh a year later. Since then I've progressed the ranks in the Scottish comedy circuit, done my first solo show at Edinburgh and gigged all over the UK as well as Australia, Singapore and the Philippines. This year has been even more exciting as I've moved to England, signed with a fantastic agent and am starting to do gigs that have been on my bucket list since I started stand-up. I'm definitely happy where I am right now and even more excited for the future!

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

1. I was the runner up in a Harry Potter look a like competition. I narrowly lost to Daniel Radcliffe's brother, Jacob.

2. I'm actually terrified of horses. Like genuinely terrified of them. They look all friendly, but I've read and seen too many horror stories of how much a horse CAN ACTUALLY KILL YOU if you trust them.

3. I was one of the youngest people to take control and fly a plane. I was 5 years old and as far as I can remember, it all went well. I guess if it hadn't I would know for sure.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

There is no greater question than this. None. Which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars? Myself and guests will settle it forever.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Easy. Jedi Mind tricks. You will see this show...

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

Eat and drink healthily? Is this a trick question? Can such a thing be done? Saying that, last year I pretty much lived at Graze on the Grassmarket which has loads of healthy food options. You can get a salad box in there for pretty cheap. I'll be drinking a lot of water as well but mainly because I'm skint...

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

My kitchen. At home my girlfriend and I cook everything from scratch. We don't use packet sauces or ready meals. We both really enjoy cooking as well as learning new recipes. Plus almost 3 weeks without Chicken Adobo (my favourite Filipino dish that I cook almost every week) is hard to imagine.

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

Definitely the food! I think people take it for granted how many cool independent restaurants and takeaways there are in Edinburgh. My favourite haunts are definitely Wings, Burger, Illegal Jacks, Red Box Noodles, Graze, and the Mosque Kitchen.

If I get time I might head out to South Queensferry as well for some fish and chips and ice cream (weather dependent!)

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

I'd love to have cabaret style performers like Doug Segal and Mat Ricardo.

Bec Hill to inject pure joy into the line up.

Carey Marx, Jim Jeffries and Bill Burr are some of my favourite stand-ups right now.

Throw on The Beta Males for some sketch and Stu & Garry for some imrpov, and Stephen Lynch for some musical filth.

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

Liam Neeson, if I had somehow been involved in the kidnap of a member of his family.

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

If you're into Star Trek, come see the show. If you're into Star Wars, come see the show. If you've got a weird friend who's into these things, send them to the show. Even if you don't like either, come along and find out why we do. This is a show that loves each franchise but is not afraid to poke fun at them.

Due to popular demand, two extra shows for 'Star Trek vs Star Wars' have been organised at The Banana Skin at 11pm on the 26th and 27th August. Listing