Ali Brice interview

This year Ali Brice will be performing a show called Bin Wondering in Edinburgh. Let's find out more...

Hi Ali. You've been performing at the Fringe for a decade now?

I have. It's really snuck up on me. When I did my first show in 2010, I had no idea I'd be back every year for 10 years. It's nearly a third of my life! But it is my absolute favourite time of year, so I'm very happy to be back for 2019!

This year's show is my best yet and I'm very proud of it!

How would you describe your form of comedy. It's not quite stand-up? It's not quite a sketch show?

So far it's a been a quite strange mix of madcap characters, nonsense ideas, heartfelt whimsy and honest stand-up.

In previous years I don't think I've got the balance quite right - it's been too honest and batshit crazy in the same breath. A bit confusing for people, perhaps.

However, this year I think I've hit the nail on the head. I've been working with a director (Jonny Freeman) and he's help me whip up the perfect blend of everything!

It's still a character comedy and stand-up with a health slice of honesty, but it works!

Let's call it 'genre-straddling stupid truth comedy'!

So this year's show has a link to a, er, bin? What can people expect?

They can expect a 33 year-old man to explore a very low moment of his life when he was 32.

They can also expect, at least 3 real jokes, a few flights of surreal fancy, some trademark Brice Banter™, a couple of props and some mad character comedy. Also, a lot of heartfelt emotions.

Spoiler alert: I'm no longer in the low point. I've turned my life around and am now full of positivity.

The title is wonderful. What came first, the theme or the title?

The theme came first. But to say any more would slightly give away the story.

You're performing it in the SpiegelYurt. That's quite a unique venue to present comedy in?

After 6 years of being in The Hive (aka the best venue outside of the Big Four), I needed a change.

I saw Tessa Waters and Lucy Hopkins performing their shows at The SpiegelYurt last year and fell in love with the venue. It felt really intimate and it was so easy for the audience to connect with the performers (although that was probably down to the talents of Tessa and Lucy!) and I just knew I wanted to perform there.

Luckily Bob Slayer agreed to have me back!

What will you be doing when not flyering or performing?

I'm going to see loads of shows this year and also enjoy a lot of naps! The shows I'm most looking forward to are Adam Larter, Foxdog Studios, Liberty Hodes, Dave Bibby, Cabinet of Kumquats, and Early Cupcakes.