2017 Edinburgh Fringe

Interview

Three questions with Irish comedian Conor Drum.

Dating is a minefield: tell us about your worst date.

The worst date I ever had was in Chicago several years ago. I had met a girl at a restaurant I was working in that summer. She was attractive and seemed nice. We had drinks while she badly impersonated my accent. One thing led to another and we headed back at my place. I was staying in a house with twelve other Irish students. My room was the only one without air-conditioning but it did house the air-conditioning unit itself. It was described by friends as "terrorist-chic", it was an utter dump.

Midway through the proceedings, having realised it would never end naturally, I pretended to have reached completion. Afterwards, I lay awake, while she snored beside me. I arose before my alarm and snuck out to work. When I arrived home that evening, all of my money had been stolen. I never saw her again.

What tips do you have for anyone flying solo at a wedding?

Weddings are invariably great fun, just have a few drinks (not too many) and remember to enjoy yourself. Being single at a wedding really has its perks. You are single, therefore there will be attempts made to set you up with another singleton. But remember, paradoxically, the downside to being single at a wedding is the fact that you are single. There will be attempts made to set you up with people who are also single. Her name will be Bernadette.

What's this about a baby storm?

A baby storm is the male equivalent to the baby shower. But with more booze and zero baby talk. For years children and birth have been a cause for celebration for women only - finally there's something for the guys. A baby storm is a mini stag, a real last goodbye before your father-to-be friend loses all socialising privileges for the foreseeable future.

Organising a baby storm is simple. Just remember these three simple words: plan, advise, sympathise.

Plan a decent meal to have with your friends, this gives off the image of respectability and therefore permission to attend will be more likely. Just make sure it's a good six weeks before due date in order to reduce the chances of having to cancel over an early arrival. This is also the right time period to take advantage of the designated driver status of the future-dad's partner.

Advise. Offer friendly encouragement and advice on fatherhood regardless of whether you know what you are talking about or not.

Sympathise. Remember to show a bit of sympathy for the daddy-in-waiting as his life is going to change, while yours is going to stay the same old pointless mess that it has been for years.