EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Al Porter

BWW speaks to Al Porter about his 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show Al Porter At Large.

What can you tell us about Al Porter At Large?

This is my sophomore show at Edinburgh Fringe and I'm delighted to be back! It treads a fine line between conversation and confession. It's a very honest tell-all gossip about my last year and all its misadventure - from sex to family to religion to travel. It's all laid bare - and I hope in a fun, cheeky way.

How would you describe your style of comedy?

Through pure lack of imagination I've never been one for fictional invention - my comedy is all about personal storytelling and anecdotes with a touch of theatricality thrown in. It's blue collar, camp working men's club comic for the modern era. Lots of gags - nothing too serious - just good fun.

Tell us a little about your career so far

I always describe myself as a pub act who's been very lucky! In the past two years I've presented radio on Radio 2 in Ireland and been the youngest comic to headline and sell out our premier 1,000-seater venue Vicar Street four times. I've had my own Christmas Eve Variety Special on Irish TV, written a column for a newspaper and been sued for defamation by a Presidential candidate! In the UK I've been blessed to have Katharine Ryan as my comedy 'momma', who I toured with and who I love dearly, and to have appeared on Live at the Apollo shortly after. I look forward to embarrassing my parents on UK TV in the future.

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

With the mix of old-school humour (Dave Allen, Frankie Howerd) and modern stories, I would hope there's something for everyone here. But experience has told me the ladies and the gays have a lot of fun at my shows - so I'd certainly recommend it to them.

..and who would you recommend doesn't come to see your show?

My Mother. If she knew the half of what I was saying, I'd be homeless.

Timings and ticket information for Al Porter At Large are available on the edfringe website.

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