Sophie Willan: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Sophie Willan 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?

My background is in Live Art and Theatre and last year I decided to take a leap of faith and plunge into the land of stand-up! It's been great fun so far. Last September I won Magners New Comedian Award and signed with UTC Artist Management - it's been so fun to work with UTC and develop this show for the fringe.

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

1. I ride a bicycle and have named it after Murder She Wrote protagonist, Jessica Fletcher.

2. I was excluded from secondary school for arriving drunk in a bikini.

3. I was used to look after a one-legged chicken named Clouse.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

Using genuine records given to me by Social Services, I explore who I am today through the eyes of experts that assessed me.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

No. I've flyered for theatre shows for hours and hours before but this time, I'm just going to focus on doing the best show I can. Luckily, I have Bound And Gagged on board with their nifty team of flyerers, so I'm in good hands!

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

Good! I have a little morning work out routine on the go and I'm go to try and drink more water than beer... even though the Foster's is often cheaper!

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

Chips and Gravy.

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

I want to climb Arthur's Seat again - I do it every year when I come. It's a bit of a break from the festival and it's bloody lovey!

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

Well, that could be so many... to narrow it down, if I was to programme acts that are already up here this year, I would go for... Beth Vyse, Bourgous & Maurice, Christeen, Tez Ilyas, Johnny Cochrane, Kate Lucas and Josie Long.

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

Al Murray. I met him a few Fringes ago... well I say met him... I actually fell over him in a bar, a few martinis in, and he had me removed!

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

I talk very candidly about growing up and out of the care system and my mother being a heroine addict. I also talk from the perspective of the people in my family who suffer with mental illness and need welfare to survive. I don't think there are many people in comedy coming from my background. It's rare to that these sorts of experiences explored in such celebratory way, with humour and that's what makes this show so fun for me and the audience - it's optimism!

'Sophie Willan: On Record' is at Pleasance Courtyard at 4:45pm until the 28th August. Listing