EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- Bethany Black

BWW catches up with Bethany Black to talk about bringing Unwinnable to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

You're somewhat of a Fringe regular- what is different about this years show?

Well it's my first show since I was diagnosed as on the Autism Spectrum and with ADHD, so it's a lot less apologetic for my shortcomings than I have been in the past. I practically bathe in them this year, utilising them rather than running from them. As well as my usual personal stories, I've got a bit of observational comedy for cats in there too. "Don't you hate it when you go to jump from the back of the couch to the window sill and misjudge the distance and you're all like 'Aaaaaahhhh' [falls down] and then have to style it out like you meant to do it."

Who would you recommend comes to see Unwinnable?

It's not a show for beginner level stand-up comedy audiences, you need to be at least intermediate level. It is a five-star show, but in previous years I've been lumbered with a few less than five-star audiences, and then there's only so much I can do. Ideally, I'd like the sort of audience to come and see me that in a few years I can be performing at The Apollo and look out and see them and think "OH MY GOSH! I saw them in a Little Room in Edinburgh! I always knew they could make it!"

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

Whatever illnesses they've arrived with without passing them on to me.

Where else might we know you from?

If you're a Doctor Who fan you might remember me from that episode you hated judging by the lovely comments I get on twitter when the official Doctor Who account mentions it's my birthday. I was also in Russell T Davies Cucumber, Banana, Tofu trilogy for Channel 4.

Do you have any tips for anybody who might find the Fringe a bit overwhelming?

Yes, it is overwhelming. It's twice as many people as Edinburgh is supposed to comfortably manage for a whole month that will either be drizzly or too hot, often at the same time. The streets are so busy that often the quietest place to be is in a paid fringe show from a comedian you've not heard of before. At times like that it's worth the money for the ticket just to get out of the crowds.

I have agoraphobia, so the whole idea of being in a city for a month where I've got to be out and about in big crowds is absolutely petrifying. I cope with sunglasses, headphones and a baseball cap. Which is fine during the day if it's sunny, but otherwise I could really do with being a lot more famous just to justify the look I've gone for. Hopefully this Edinburgh Fringe will help make that a reality.

See Bethany Black: Unwinnable at The Stand throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 3rd - 26th August. For tickets visitwww.edfringe.com

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