Treasure Island: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Tom Beard from Treasure Island answers 10 questions about their 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 hosting the comedy club at my Uni Student Union, the first gig was with Ross Noble and Sean Lock headlining circa 1995 - I bombed completely! After that stint I left it for a while and got into acting, writing and then producing... which is where we are now!

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

1. Today, I accidentally trod on a yoghurt.

2. I once got arrested dressed as an eight foot dinosaur.

3. I don't mind Mondays.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

We have mermaids, puppets, a monkey called 'Bananas' and more modern touches - I hope nobody has studied the original book too closely!

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Pressganging seems appropriate given the Treasure Island theme!

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

The wife has definitely got me on a diet - although a pro-wrestler friend of mine says it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you burn it off - and I certainly will during the show so somebody point me to the finest kebab shop in town please!

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

Picking my blackberries in the back garden - I have a bumper crop this year going to waste. These fine baubles of delight help makes my homemade 'Tom's rate nice Blackberry Whisky' . It is proper nice and tastes like port - I guess I could just buy some port instead.

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

Stealing... I mean, taking influences from some of the other shows on here - I have only been up for one nighters before so getting the chance to take it all in is going to be great.

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

Pat Monahan hosting with Jason Byrne, Stewart Lee, Bobcat Goldthwaite, Josh Widdicombe, Tim Key and Phil Nichol.

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

The bloke who's fixing my front patio for me this Summer - he'll probably want paying and I've spent all my money on flyers

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

What apart from the fact that the venue has terrific air-conditioning...?!

We specialise in producing and performing children's theatre, touring number one venues up and down the country throughout the year with our fun and lively shows. We do a lot of work with children's TV stars including CBeebies and CITV - we are also a brand new show in a brand new venue where we really get the chance to show off with a big interactive screen.

Did I mention that we also have a monkey called 'Bananas' in it too?! Oh I did? Good!

'Treasure Island' is at Gilded Balloon at the Museum at 10am until the 28th August. Listing