James Barr talks about having 60 seconds to find a husband at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: James Barr
Name of Edinburgh show: James Barr: Thirst Trap
Venue: Laughing Horse @ Counting House
Performance time: 9:50PM
Show length: 60 Minutes
Ticket price: FREE

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I’m a comedian, TV & Radio presenter. I present at MTV, co-host the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ podcast ‘A Gay and A NonGay’ and regularly perform improvised comedy at London’s ‘The Free Association’. I’ve also been featured on Comedy Central, and presented at heat Radio and Capital FM. :).

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
Ok so 2018 dating is a disaster… and having tried EVERYTHING I decided that the most logical thing to do was to lock an audience of people in a room and force them to date me. It’s basically my wedding night and I’ve got 60 minutes to find a husband. There’s also chat about our shared obsession with finding The One, our irrational quest for happiness through instagram posts and the lies about our Disney prince, one day coming. Spoiler. He’s not coming guys.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I think it’s more important than ever to talk about app-based dating, and how it can have a very negative effect on our mental health. We’re all looking for the perfect person, we’re all aspiring to be our perfect ourselves, and yet we can barely even commit to a boxset, let alone a boyfriend. I’ve been working on this show for the last 6 months, and from Avocado’s to ciabattas and meditation, there’s a lot of millenial fun.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
I think it’s really important to look after your mental health during the Festival, keep yourself at arms length from gin-induced meltdowns and get your Mum on speed dial. If you’re visiting, you need, sunscreen, a hoodie, shorts and an umbrella all in your bag at all times.. and a hat, It’s surprisingly difficult to maintain a full bodied fringe at the EdFringe.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
The school bully tripped me up in front of the whole school as I made my way on stage to do a speech about wanting to become Head Boy.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
I love Russell Howard, I find his comedy really inclusive. His Cancer boy stand-up is so inspiring to me. Miranda is so fun. I really enjoy Harry Hill’s irreverence and Sarah Millican is Queen of keeping it real.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I listen to Little Mix, very loud, and fill my pineapple sippy cup with wine.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I can’t wait to see my FAVES Birthday Girls in their ‘Late-Night Comedy Party’ (16-19) and the hilariously titled ‘LOVE ADMIN’ (4-11) from Alice-India and Bella Humphries.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
My show is fun, silly and welcoming. Plus it’s my wedding night and everyone loves a wedding… though it may also become a quickie divorce.

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