Taylor Glenn talks about her new show, A Billion Days of Parenthood.

1 Tell us about your Fringe show

As the title suggests oh so subtly, it’s about parenthood - but it’s a universal take on the topic of surviving a seemingly never-ending slog. Parents and non-parents alike have really enjoyed it; it's dark, acerbic, and very personal and it also tackles my experience of postnatal depression.  I’m proud to have found so much humour in that topic in particular, as it’s not something which gets covered in the media in terms of people “surviving” it and coming through the other side enough.  

2 Best thing about the Fringe?

Just the sheer energy of it all, the buzz of it - plus getting to see so many lovely friends and talented people all in one place.

3 Worst thing about the Fringe?

Well this time around the worst thing has been trying to balance looking after my three year old (my muse. . .) and promoting the show.  We spend a lot of time flyering in the rain while she sleeps in the buggy.  Someone the other day said “nice sketch” and I shouted NO IT’S MY LIFE.  I don’t think they’re coming to see the show.

4 How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

This is my fourth Fringe and my second solo show.  I would live in Edinburgh in a second if you could just sort out those winter months. Thanks!

5 Favourite Fringe venue?

Honestly, I don’t have a favourite.  This year I’m at the Caves, which is much more Fringe-like compared to other polished venues.  I mean, it’s a cave, so. . .to me it’s all about the performance and the venue doesn’t matter so much.  I’ve seen brilliant shows in random cafes and mediocre shows in huge shiny venues.  

6 Best Fringe memory?

Well last night a woman snuck in her newborn baby, which I didn’t even notice, because it didn’t make a sound (not a fan of mine, apparently).  At the end, I saw her pick the baby up and so went to say hello and she said “I just didn’t want to miss this so I brought her along!  Thank you for telling the truth!”  That was amazing.  

7 Best heckle?

“You’ll have to leave soon because of Brexit!  Wait. . .no. . .will you?"

8 Craziest on stage experience?

The first year I did a show a really aggressive guy at the front was kicking off and the audience tried to tell him to shut up - he eventually threw his beer in some guy’s face and was kicked out.  But he tried to drag his wife and his friends and they refused to leave.  I sort of powered through the gig and at the end his mate says to me “hey, sorry about our mate, he was in the French Foreign Legion.  He’s a killing machine.”  

9 What’s on your rider?

Ha ha, as if I have a rider. 

10 How do you wind down after a show?

Wine and often I’ll go watch another show and reflect on how much better they are than me.

11 What do you love about Scotland?

Its people and landscapes and attitude.  And tiffin.  Damn, you’ve done well there.

12 What do you like about Edinburgh?

The buildings.  It’s gorgeous.  And the hills, if I’m walking down one.   13 What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

Haggis and Scotch in the SAME NIGHT, MAN.  

14 What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?

I’ve always found Scottish crowds to be exceptionally comedy savvy and sharp, but also willing to go down the dark and filthy route, as it were. 

15 Favourite joke?

Not a joke, per se, but Louis CK does a routine about taking his kids to the zoo to see a seal, who he imagines talking to them, saying:  “kill me, I’m a slave.”  It’s just an incredible observation of both parenthood and zoos.  

16 Favourite Scottish food/drink? 

Tiffin Tiffin Fish and Chips Tiffin More Tiffin Scotch Fried Pizza Tiffin Oh Man.

Taylor Glenn: A Billion Days of Parenthood is on at Just the Tonic at The Caves until August 28.