Musical comedian gives us a status report on his first Fringe

We asked some Edinburgh Fringe debutants about their expectations of the festival before it kicked off. Now we’re more than halfway through, we wondered how reality had matched up. Here are both sets of answers from Matty Hutson:

What do you hope to get out of the Fringe?

How it started: I just want loads of people to come - the show is great, I've filled it with loads of musical styles and instruments and I think audiences will get a kick out of it. Obviously it would be nice if one day the show posthumously tours while being performed by a holographic version of me. But I can honestly say that is a stretch goal.

How it’s going: The first week was a little more stressful than I'd anticipated. We had to make lots of technical changes that meant I was thinking on my feet more than I'd have liked. But overall I'm really happy with how it's going. I've been blessed with lovely audiences, very sweet reviews and I feel like the show is a good reflection of me and my outlook on the world. It's a challenging show to pull off as it's fairly interactive - and so I have to stay out of my head and be present - but that's gotten much easier as the run has progressed. 

What's your biggest fear going into the festival?

How it started:  I just don't want it get the best of me. I've done split bills and short shows at the fringe and I've talked a lot of people down from a bad review or a snubbing over the years. I'm hoping I can leave that stuff up to the gods and enjoy myself. I'm grateful to The Pleasance for hosting my debut show and I hope it can live up to all the great shows I've seen there over the years. 

How it’s going:  I understand the pressure that people are under in their debut hour a lot more. As someone that doesn't really have a big profile I'm used to being a pleasant surprise to audiences. But the dynamic shifts when they are buying a ticket to see you specifically. There's more expectation - and you're under much more scrutiny. I felt that a lot at the start - but now I'm back to just doing the show for the people in the room and enjoying my time with them. 

How are you feeling about the state of your show?

How it started: I'm proud of the thing! I've waited a bit longer than some of my peers to do my first hour - and for me that was a good choice. It's a bigger, more varied and more personal show than I would have been able to do earlier in my career. It would have been cool to do my first show with a full head of hair. But we can't have everything.

How it’s going:  I'm still proud of the thing. I stretched myself out of my comfort zone a lot and it wasn't always easy to see what it was going to be. But i think it's a really funny musical comedy show that is unique to me and my style. It's good natured and fun and The Attic is so small, so I really get to know the audience during each show. 

What do you hope the reviewers say?

How it started:  Very scary question. I guess as musical comedians we never want to feel like the music is a crutch or a gimmick. I've worked really hard to make the songs sound like real songs - while having the same gag rate as the nonmusical comedians I love. If that comes across, I'll be really happy.

How it’s going: They've been so nice! Lots of lovely praise to send to my mum, and nobody has been hurtful or mean - even if I can tell it wasn't really for them. It's funny reading reviews, they can mess with your head a bit, good or bad. But I think a good comedy show has an element of risk to it - and that means sometimes it has to fall short. Realising they can only ever be reviewing the specific hour they spent with you - and not 'the show' or you as a comedian has helped me to untangle my ego from them. 

What do you think your average audience will be?

How it started:  Ex-indie kid millennials, current indie-kid Gen-Zs, retired married couples, and stinky men that own (but can't play) guitars. They're not much - but they're mine.

How it’s going:  Haha I feel bad about what I said about the stinky men. but lots of musicians are coming, which is fun. I have a song in my show about going bald - and in one show all the bald guys in the crowd started taking their hats off in a solemn sign of respect. I felt like Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society - one of my favourite ever moments on stage. 

What steps do you aim to take to look after your mental and physical health?

How it started:  I first went to the Fringe as a student, drank too much cider, ate too many jacket potatoes and developed a stomach ulcer. So I'll be eating vegetables - getting my eight hours and starting the day with a gong bath each morning.

How it’s going:  I'm drinking lots of tea - sleeping in the day and calling my girlfriend a lot. But the best thing you can do for your mental health is enjoy your show. that's why we're all here after all. 

• Matty Hutson: Don't Hold Back is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 7.15pm

Published: 18 Aug 2023