EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Carl Donnelly

Tell us a bit about The Nutter On The Bus.

I wanted to do a show where I talk about some of the aspects of my life that i've skirted around before due to either being worried that people might judge me or being ashamed of them. I thought a good way of taking me out of my comfort zone would be to perform in a room that isn't the sort I normally play at the Fringe? The Blundabus jumped out at me as one of the oddest rooms at the festival. The rest is history.

Come August I'll be on the top deck of a bus rambling about my often unpleasant childhood, my borderline nervous breakdown five years ago and how I think hallucinogenic drugs saved me (with some unexpected side effects).

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

There is no better place on earth to debut a show than at the fringe. It's so vast and full of people doing amazing things that it can't help but bring out the best in you if you let it. I've not missed one in ten years and in that time it has just become a major part of my year. It feels like the end of year exams where I take stock on where I'm at in life.

Where might we recognise you from?

Previously I've popped up on a few TV shows like Mock The Week, Russell Howard's Good News (and his Stand Up Central) but people probably wouldn't recognise me as I look quite different since shaving my head and getting laser eye surgery. I don't like being recognised, so every time I've done anything on television I've changed how I look after to avoid being stared at.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

It's on a bus for starters. I'm trying to discuss a few topics this year that on paper sound quite bleak but in a very matter of fact and unapologetic way. I think comedians from working class backgrounds often romanticise their childhood but I'm going to be discussing how much I hated being poor and couldn't wait to go it alone and try and break away from my family who I felt were holding me back. That sounds quite horrible to say but people who see the show will understand where I'm coming from (and preferably be laughing at my reasoning).

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

Everyone. It's going to be really good.

Carl Donnelly performs The Nutter On The Bus at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at The Blunda Bus from 3rd -27th Aug at 7:30pm. More info and tickets are available at www.carldonnelly.co.uk

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