Phil Ellis talks about his new show, Phil Ellis is alone together (but mostly alone).
1 Tell us about your Fringe show
This is a show about how I coped after I realised that my ex wife Leanne wasn't going to come back to me. It had been eight years since we separated and I couldn't let go.
It was bleeding into all of my work so I decided to let go and start trying to rebuild my life. Problem is, she came back to me about two months ago, so it's really shafted my show's premise.
I've had to rewrite it and now I think it's an even more powerful piece.... I mean, less funny, but more poignant, which is surely what comedy is all about? Making people think and feel sad.
2 Best thing about the Fringe?
The fact that I can drink until 6am every morning and it isn't frowned upon like it was when I recently lived in a house share.
3 Worst thing about the Fringe?
The fact that I can drink until 6am every morning and it isn't frowned upon like it was when I recently lived in a house share.
4 How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This will be my fourth. Why? What's your problem? You saying I should give up? You saying that I need to call it a day and try something else? You try doing four successive (not successful) Edinburgh shows, then come and have a go at me. Unbelievable.
5 Favourite Fringe venue?
Obviously the Udderbelly.... I mean, I have to say that don't I because I'm there this year? I'm not an idiot am I? .... I beg your pardon?
6 Best Fringe memory?
Her name was Dorothy and she smelled like a clean egg cup.
7 Best heckle?
Why are you doing this to us? PLEASE STOP!!!!!
8 Craziest on stage experience?
I was stabbed in 2012 by an over zealous lover's neighbour. Ha ha, that was crazy! Needed three stitches. Good bucket collection at the end though.
9 What's on your rider?
I don't have a rider, I'm not CumbaWumba for God's sake. It's an Edinburgh show in a cave with fabric on the walls, it's hardly the O2. I mean honestly, who wrote these questions?
10 How do you wind down after a show?
I think you know the answer to that. I really can't put it into print.
11 What do you love about Scotland?
It's northness.
12 What do you like about Edinburgh?
It's absolutely the most perfect place to do a show during the Edinburgh Festival.
13 What's the most Scottish thing you've done?
Built a wall.
14 What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
Funny ones.
15 Favourite joke?
Buy a ticket and I'll tell you.
16 Favourite Scottish food/drink?
A pint of Tennent's with a sausage in it.
Phil Ellis: Phil Ellis is alone together (but mostly alone) is on at Underbelly, Cowgate, White Belly until August 28.
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