Eli Matthewson is performing The Year of Magical F**king at Underbelly George Square, The Wee Coo, during August. 

  • Tell us about your Fringe show

It’s all about the highs and lows of the year I spent trying to have a late-twenties sexual awakening. Inspired by a Time Magazine article about how millennials are having less sex than their parents, I decided to try and help reverse our statistics, and in doing so made a lot of mistakes on Grindr and in the real world that I hope, by sharing, can make life easier for other people.

  • How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?

It’s daunting! Flying all the way from New Zealand takes SO long that honestly, if this doesn’t work out, I will implode.

  • Why did you decide to perform at the Fringe?

I love doing stand-up and this festival seems like the Olympics of stand-up. Stand-up is the type of job where it pays to never get complacent. As soon as you start getting nervous, that’s when you need to shake things up. I’m excited to get out of the Australasian bubble and see how I stack up.

  • If you were not a performer what would you be doing?

I have a degree in Classics and English. So probably making coffee.

  • How do you prepare for a performance?

I have a highly curated playlist of songs that I know all the words to, and I put my headphones in and lip sync for my life.

  • Best/worst advice you’ve been given ahead of your debut show?

My dad once told me to try not doing stories about him. I said “impossible”.

I love that place that does fancy bangers and mash. I don’t know what it’s called. I also, ironically, spend a lot of my time trying to find a New Zealand barista so I can have decent coffee.

  • What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

I’ve stayed in an unhappy relationship longer than I should have. Is that a good reference to Scotland’s relationship with England? Help me out here, I need some local material.

  • Favouite Scottish food/drink?

Bulimers Bulmers Cider? That’s not Scottish I don’t think.

  • Sum up your show in three words

Thotty lil kiwi.

Show summary

The little gay rock star of New Zealand comedy makes his Edinburgh debut with a call to arms for the sexless youth. An honest hour from a sexual amateur trying his best. 

Eli Matthewson is performing The Year of Magical F**king at Underbelly George Square, The Wee Coo, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com