Michael Odewale says #BlackBearsMatter interview

Michael Odewale is presenting his debut Fringe stand-up show at this year's Edinburgh Festival, #BlackBearsMatter.

Is there a specific message that you want #BlackBearsMatter to portray to people?

I didn't really write it with a message in mind. I just wanted to explore some things to do with selfishness and apathy because that had been in my head for a while. I guess what I hope is that people resonate with those themes or least I explained where I'm coming from well enough.

In the show you talk about how you don't really have a political stance yet...

I guess I would say it's more that I don't have a strong stance. It's more about, can you really say you support something if you're not taking any viable actions to demonstrate it. I'm not really the advice giving type, I'm still figuring stuff out.

So you don't really participate in political marches?

There's one I went to that inspired a section on the show, but in general no. It's a combination of laziness and scepticism of their effectiveness I guess. Since writing this show and doing research, I would say I am more determined to get involved I would say though.

What's the most important thing you've learned this year?

Perspective is pretty important. Being able to take a step back to gain a better understanding of things.

How did it feel being the only member of your family attending private school?

I didn't really appreciate it at the time. I kind of feel guilty because I was played the class clown so it felt like a waste of my mum's money looking back. But I tell jokes for a living now so maybe it's paying off slowly.