Martin Angolo

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 20th August 2024

One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week that person is the Irish comic Martin Angolo, who's heading into the last week of the Edinburgh Fringe with the wind behind him; the Idiot Wind, that is. Which means... what?

"'Idiot wind' is what I call the nonsense that comes out of a comedian's mouth," Angolo explains. "It's a show where I try to talk about subjects I usually wouldn't because you're often told as a comedian that 'these days you can't say anything anymore' and I like a challenge, so when someone says I can't do something I'll try to prove them wrong."

It's a bold approach, for a debut show. Which bit is getting the strongest reaction so far?

"There's a nice chunk about the current attitudes towards immigration in the UK and in Ireland, which has been going down nicely and is fun to play with, such a divisive and usually negative topic."

And how is his first Fringe going generally?

"This has been a fun Fringe for me. There's an Irish contingent of comics and we all finish our shows at a similar time and we meet up for a drink together and bitch about our shows and what we've seen. The crowds have been really nice and seem to really enjoy the show and connect with it."

That's what it's all about. Martin Angolo, your Random 8 await:

What was your favourite TV show, growing up?

My earliest TV memory is the Looney Tunes. It's still an ambition of mine to be as funny as Bugs Bunny.

Which historical figure should get more attention?

Veronica Lake, the Hollywood actress from the 40s. [I] read a lot about her last year and her story and her decline ironically would make a great film. A lot of women copied her flowing peekaboo hairstyle, so much so that during World War 2 the government asked her to change it because women working in factories were getting their hair caught in the machinery.

When were you most embarrassed?

The most embarrassing thing for a comedian is to be the only act on a line-up to bomb and everyone else does well... oh you feel like such a dick.

What's the worst thing you ever ate?

Before I stopped eating meat I once ate kangaroo and it was just disappointing how little flavour it had. Some things aren't meant to be eaten.

Which place you've visited was the biggest anti-climax?

I've been to a lot of places and I've found something nice in every single one of them. Athlone in the middle of Ireland is probably the answer, as I had one of the worst gigs of my life there when I started, but I'm finally going back this year to conquer that bad memory.

Ever met a surprisingly great or awful celebrity?

I met Vogue Williams and spent a good half hour chatting with her and I was surprised at how well we got on considering we come from such different worlds but she was actually very cool.

Which underrated talent deserves more attention?

I've been saying it for years that there should be more French clowning on television.

Your most memorable injury?

I've never been injured ever but I'm sharing a dressing room with a woman doing a play and she has a broken neck. She's very high energy and always goes in for a hug but I'm terrified I'll hurt her.

Martin Angolo: Idiot Wind played at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.