Josh Glanc brings Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Chamedian to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: Josh Glanc
Name of Edinburgh show: Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Chamedian
Venue: Underbelly, Bristo Square
Performance time: 5.30PM
Show length: 1 hour
Ticket price: £6.5 – £11

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I love schnitzel. When I was growing up, my Grandmother, nana Shvitza, who actually escaped Nazi prosecution by working in a schnitzel factory in Berlin used to sing this song to me: ‘Schnitzel in de morgen, schnitzel in dat nacht, schnitzel in deiner Unterhose, gibt ter guber fright‘. We used to sing it together and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
Its essentially the story of my grandmother, nana Shvitza, how she was smuggled out of the Uchtig ghetto and hidden in box full of bread crumbs. Its an amazing story and she was very brave.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I’ve been wanting to tell this story for years now, but it wasn’t until my grandmother nana Shvitza died in 2016 that I really felt compelled to bring it to the stage. Although its simply the story of a girl hiding during war torn Europe in a Schnitzel factory it touches upon issues of losing one’s identity and assimilation. In a period of mass immigration and nationalistic pressure to assimilate, how to maintain ones culture in a multicultural world is highly relevant to 2018 audiences.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Head to Beer Hoose, 379 Leith Walk for some great schnitzel.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
During the Ottawa Fringe season, an audience member who had already seen the show, came back on another night with a schnitzel and handed it to me at a particular point in the show. It was very funny.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Spencer Jones because he is well funny.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I like to stretch and warm up my voice. There is lots of shouting in the show in German, so I need to make sure I don’t wreck my voice.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
Eleanor’s Story: An American Girl in Hitler’s Germany. Basically, any shows about the holocaust and/or schnitzels.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
It’s a unique and powerful story. Also, I tell a few jokes, they’re ok, but its not often to find a show that’s deeply disturbing with a few laughs along the way.

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