Richard Wright is just happy to be involved interview

Hi Richard. What got you into comedy in the first place?

I always liked comedy. I grew up listening to sitcoms on tape like Blackadder and Dad's Army.

Comedy has always been something I enjoyed. I started doing stand-up in 2012 after a new year's resolution to try it.

I got the urge to do that after writing and directing a very bad short film about stand-up comedy. One of the extras who was going to do stand-up in the film didn't show up and I had to fill... I enjoyed it, even in that fake staged environment. I would have chickened out of doing the gig if my friend didn't also want to try stand-up - we entered a suicide pact to both try on the same night. After that I was hooked.

Your parents are Officers in the Salvation Army (ministers/vicars). What do they think of you choosing to perform comedy?

They are fine with it. They know it's something I enjoy, but they don't come to see me perform. They came to see my Edinburgh show in 2015 and it was in The Blind Poet - I miss that venue - but it was at 11am in the morning so it was light and I could see them. It was the worst I've ever been on stage. After that we agreed they wouldn't come and see me again.

We love the sentiment behind this year's title - Richard Wright Is Just Happy To Be Involved. Is that true? Do you lack ruthless ambition? It probably is the best way to be happy in this industry...

Yes, it's true. When it comes to the Fringe, I know that I'm a tiny fish in a universe of ocean. I love the Fringe and I love everything about it.

I am not the most confident person when it comes to pushing myself. So I would say I do probably lack the ruthless ambition that some in the industry have, but I don't think it's a bad thing at all. I love comedy and I am so happy for other people's success. If I have some one day, great, but if not, I have loved and will continue to love every second of this.

You lost out on a job to come to this year's festival?

Yeah, I did. Well sort of. Like yes and no. I missed out on a chance of a job. I was temping in a post room and there was a chance I could have applied to go permanent there but I was already committed to the Fringe and I love coming to the Fringe so I wasn't prepared to go for that job, even though I did like where I was working and it was a good job. The Fringe means more to me.

Your previous Fringe shows have been very themed... is this a more general hour of comedy? What can we expect?

There are themes, but there isn't one single theme like my show on Christianity, and last year's show about being a virgin. But it still looks at myself. There are things that I discuss in the show and I look at various aspects of my life. Am I self deprecating or a an optimistic realist? What should I feel bad about? I'm not a full time professional stand-up but I am a valiant amateur and there is nothing wrong with that. You can expect honesty and humour.