Matt Price talks about bringing 'Last Night A Weegie Saved My Life' to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I’ve been a comic for 15 years. I started performing standup after I failed to write a book about boxing. I’ve performed in 30 countries in every type of venue imaginable and this will be my 8th Solo show at Edinburgh.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
It’s a story about an odd year in my life when I thought I was going out with a woman but was unaware that she wasn’t going out with me. It’s a silly story really, but it leads to me telling the audience the most personal thing I’ve ever said on stage.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I get the idea for next year’s show during the Edinburgh Festival, so I’ve been thinking about this for a year and working on and developing it as much as I can. The themes or issues in it happen to be very current. This is more by accident than design. I’ve written a show I like and all of a sudden the trend in Edinburgh seems to be personal story shows. I’m relevant without even meaning to be as I’m doing what I’ve always done.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
I start walking up hills back home about a month before the Fringe so I can hit the ground running when I get to Edinburgh. I don’t drink much when I’m up there either and I go to bed in decent time, which sounds dull, but means I can last the whole month. Even then, it’s very tiring. I cook every day too and look after myself as every performance needs to be as good as possible.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I wheeled a terminally ill man out onto stage in front of his family and 350 people. It was actually great fun and he was very funny. He had a month left to live and it’s something I’ll never forget.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Luisa Omielan achieved something incredible with two internationally acclaimed shows and did it by herself. I can’t help but be inspired by that.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I do self-hypnosis – anchoring and I get into state. It sounds more complicated than it is, but it helps me get into the right frame of mind to perform. I pace up and down a bit too and I like to be alone or at least in my own head space.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I’m looking forward to seeing Martha McBrier, Larry Dean, Yianni and I’m hoping that eventually someone will discover Jinx Yeo.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the Fringe?
I haven’t seen anyone else’s show. I’ve worked hard at mine and I’ve never heard or told a story like it. It’s funny and it’s personal, but there is so much to see that I won’t be offended if you don’t make it. But do come and see mine, it’s a roller coaster…

See Matt Price: Last Night A Weegie Saved My Life at the Gilded Balloon throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1st – 26th August. For tickets visit www.edfringe.com

_____________________________________________________________