Danielle Ward talks abut her new comedy show, Seventeen.
Tell us about your Fringe show
It's about growing up in the 90's and all the stupid things I did… although not ker-razy stupid. More, ‘lets laugh at the weirdo’ stupid, and also what it is like to be 17 now. I wrote to four famous people in 1996. Rob Newman (not an interesting story – not in the show) Stewart Lee (not an interesting story – not in the show) Brett Anderson (quite an interesting story about how unsexy I was at 17) and Gary Barlow (best thing I've ever done).
Best thing about the Fringe?
Hanging out with friends you maybe don't see that often. Having permission to be more self-obsessed than usual. Seeing loads of live stuff. Jacket potatoes.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
Nothing. It's all great. The insane costs for the performers. The crying. Constant scrutiny from your peers and the industry. Alcoholism. All a big thumbs up.
Favourite Fringe venue?
My beloved Caves. I did Psister Psycho there in 2007 and it was the most fun show I've ever done. Everyone else hates the Caves because they make you damp and there's no oxygen and bits of cave sometimes fall in your mouth, but I like to think that sort of thing helps. People love auto-erotic asphyxiation, don't they? Well, being in the airless caves is a bit like that. Only without the tugging.
Best Fringe memory?
Benedict Cumberbatch giving us a standing ovation after Psister Psycho. I had no idea who he was, but everyone was dead impressed. Also Colin Hoult's pre-show warm ups. He's very funny.
Best heckle?
I don't recall being heckled at the Fringe to be honest. I don't really invite that sort of behavior.
Craziest on stage experience?
Jumping over a twenty foot long box of rattlesnakes on my 350cc Honda in 1965. (NB This might have been someone else)
What’s on your rider?
Rider? I don't even have storage space to leave my guitar… meaning I have to carry it around for 5 hours a day. RIDER?! As if.
How do you wind down after a show?
Admin.
What do you love about Scotland?
The natural left-wing inclination.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The beautiful melancholy.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
Become the life partner of a man whose family home is on Hope Street in St Andrews. Yes. Where the future king used to live. That's how posh they are.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
So far my impression of a man trying to clean a frying pan has gone down very well.
Favourite joke?
That time Ed Balls searched his own name on Twitter.
Favourite Scottish food/drink?
Vegetarian Haggis. It's lush.
Danielle Ward: Seventeen is on at Just the Tonic at the Caves until August 28 (except 15th). For more info and tickets, visit https://tickets.edfringe.com
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