Lloyd Langford talks about his misadventures in THE BIG FACE at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
My name is Lloyd Langford. I’m a comedian and comedy writer from Wales. I’ve been a professional comic since 2006 and I’ve been going to the Edinburgh Fringe pretty much every year since 2002.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
It’s called Why The Big Face? and it’s largely about my misadventures over the past two years. Including being trapped in New York in a snowstorm, a bodily emergency in a Japanese airport and a very odd encounter with Kevin Hart.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I’ve been working on it since 2017. This year an early version of it won “Best Show” at Leicester Comedy Festival and I’ve also toured it to New Zealand too. I’m not sure it needs to be relevant to the audience. It’s stories about things going pear shaped for me.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Bring a very good waterproof. And a decent pair of shoes or boots if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Stay out of the comedian’s bars. Get a massage at least once a week. Keep well away from The Royal Mile. I’m a hypocrite though, I’ll ignore some of that advice.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I did the Comedy Zone in 2006 and the tradition was that the last show was a bit loose. Anyway, I got drunk on tequila and then remembered that Lucy Porter, who was doing the show before us, wore a giant carrot costume during her show. I decided to wear that over my underpants. Then Dan Atkinson convinced me not to wear any underpants. I went onstage not realising that every time I moved, the costume swayed, revealing my shaft and testicles. This was fortunately before the widespread popularity of camera phones. Then Dan went and hid all my clothes around the Pleasance Courtyard. I apologise to Lucy every time I see her.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Norm Macdonald. He’s prolific, provocative and pretty much always funny. Great traits for a comedian.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I check that my flies are shut and my mouth is open. Don’t get it the wrong way around. No one wants to see an erotic mime.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
Eleanor Tiernan. She’s fucking great.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the Fringe?
I don’t think that. People should come and see my show if they want to see me. They can see other stuff as well. If you really want to go and see a hip hop retelling of the Canterbury Tales, I’m not gonna try and persuade you otherwise.

LLOYD LANGFORD: Why The Big Face? (10pm, Banshee Labyrinth)

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