EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- Kwame Asante

BWW catches up with Kwame Asante to chat about bringing Teenage Heartblob to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Teenage Heartblob.

My new show reflects on my own childhood weight issues and how it impacted on my experiences as a first-generation British African. I then move on to look at my experiences of looking at weight issues from the perspective as an NHS doctor, with obesity being one of the biggest health and social challenges of our generation. Weight issues are incredibly multifactorial, which has allowed me to talk about a wide variety of issues related to theme, and so I'm certain that there is something in this show for everyone.

Why did you want to tell this story?

It's a story that is both topical and close to my heart. Not only does this help me to perform the show more passionately, but it also helps it resonate more strongly with audiences. I've had a great deal of positive feedback from previews of the show, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

What sets your show apart from others at the festival?

Obesity is an incredibly sensitive topic, and understandably so. It can have negative biological, psychological and social impacts on an individual. It doesn't naturally lend itself to comedy and so I expect the idea of stand-up show about obesity will turn heads. Alas, my show doesn't seek to trivialise weight issues, but rather embraces their complexity, and seeks to draw humor from the variety of elements at play. Striking the right tone was key, and has required a great deal of careful thought and consideration, but I'm proud to have arrived at a show that treats weight issues and those affected with utmost respect, yet still manages to engage and entertain.

What do you hope audiences take away from Teenage Heartblob?

I make a point at the beginning of the show about it not being a health lecture, or a body positivity rally. I strongly believe that the only person that can change how you feel about yourself, is you, and I don't set out to tell people to like themselves, or motifs to that effect. This is a comedy show before anything else, and so the only thing I want audiences to take away from the evening is a good time!

Having made your Edinburgh debut last year do you think you know what to expect from the festival?

I'm looking forward to the variety of shows, the late nights, the comedy-savvy audiences, bizzare flyering techniques, pretending to be able to afford rounds, and spending another month in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Kwame Asante: Teenage Heartblob is at the Pleasance Courtyard - The Cellar August 1st- 26th

For further information visit https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/kwame-asante-teenage-heartblob

Photo credit: Mark Dawson

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