Will Duggan's Fringe cringe, binge and whinge

Will Duggan recalls his most embarrassing Edinburgh experience; what he can't get enough of at the festival; and the worst thing about the Fringe. Apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously...

Fringe cringe

A few years ago, maybe 2014 I was in the Abattoir Bar when it was in Bristo Square. It’s a sort of performer bar where you need a pass to get in.

I was in there, having a couple of drinks with some friends. Nature called and I went to queue for the toilet. Someone I knew was ahead of me in the line and so I launched into a chat with them about the Fringe, how I was finding it, how they were finding it, etc. etc. etc.

Anyway, after a few minutes of me doing most of the talking I realised that in fact I did not know Alex Horne, had never met him before and I simply recognised him. He was very polite, but I felt such shame that I just went home and sat in the dark for a bit.

Fringe binge

One of the only things I don’t like about being a comedian is that all of my colleagues live all over the country and sometimes you can go months and months without seeing someone you really like, just because of geography.

One of the things I like the most about the festival is that the majority of people I like are in the same city for a full month and you get the social side that in a more conventional job would be taken for granted. I also like the kebabs at Palmyra Pizza.

Fringe whinge

Anyone who flyers on the Royal Mile in period costume and white face paint and flyers in character should be culled. Not from life you understand, just from anywhere I ever am.

We all want audiences but I’ve never seen anyone say ‘Wow. The Lancaster Uni Drama Department’s guerrilla flying has really endeared them to me’. Everyone just sees it and thinks ‘pricks’.  Crawling along pretending to be possessed by the ghost of Emily Bronte or something. Tiring.

Maybe I’m doing them a disservice. The shows might be incredible. But I just hate them.

• Will Duggan: Iceberg is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 3.25pm

Published: 15 Aug 2022