William Andrews talks about taking his WILLY to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name: William Andrews
Name of Edinburgh show: William Andrews: Willy
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One
Performance time: 16:45
Show length: 1h
Ticket price: £9

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
I’m a comedian and actor – who, not atypically, has done a wide a range of stuff. You might have seen me pop up in Broadchurch or Alan Partridge or indeed, the central isle in Aldi. It’s been a while since I did a live comedy show actually – almost 10 years.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
It’s about finding my feet and my “voice” after a sabbatical in which I got married, became a dad and realised that happiness is a Labrador with a stick.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
I took my time with the show – simply because it’s been a while, and needed to get back up to speed. I guess stand-up is like playing piano – apart from, well – you are stood up, and there is no piano. Are absent pianos relevant in 2018? We will probably only know in 2019.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
The tip is always – get some sleep, but I don’t expect anyone to *actually* do that. Blood transfusion mid run?

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
A woman on the front row once vomited on my leg and shoe. Maybe I should take that as a compliment – but I can tell you Wilma, I don’t.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Circuit comics – mainstream circuit comics. Those folk put the hours in – my god they work hard – and they are not sniffy about the audiences either. A good circuit comic is a joy to behold, and it’s a real skill; one I may never have. You try entertaining a stag-do on a wet Thursday in November.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
So many. My gosh – I’m behind, and have a lot of catching up to do. I would say, Daniel Cook, and Lou Saunders.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
Honestly, this time up, I’m not going to worry about that. I’ve spent a year making the best show I have ever made, and I’m hoping that people agree, and tell other people, and they tell other people and they tell other people and they tell other people…

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