A hilarious and life-affirming story about how one free session with a life coach and a death threat changed Matt Price’s perspective on everything.
The death threat wasn’t from the life coach as that would be bad for business. But it was caught on CCTV.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
Hello. I’m Matt Price and I’m comedian from Cornwall. I have a very funny uplifting love story that involves bad magic, death metal, criminals, a life coach and a death threat that changed my life. It’s a fun show and I’m very proud of it.
Tell us about the creative team and process involved?
I spend my life always wanting to know what’s going to happen next. I say yes to most things in life which was the starting point for this show. I run some of my jokes past my partner and she is usually a very good judge. Me, her and the audience are the creative team. The process is recognising that a situation or series of events is funny and then telling it to an audience at new material nights and previews. Recording it. Listening back. Banging my head against a wall (not recommended) then finally getting the story in order so that it all makes sense and it’s funny. This particular story is a belter even by my own standards!
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
To many comedians their calender goes like this : March, April, May June, July, Edinburgh, September… The fact that we refer to August as “Edinburgh” tells you everything you need to know. It’s a great city, even when its packed. I get to see my friends and do a show. I love performing and walking up very steep hills. This is my 15th Fringe. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Oh and I met my partner here 17 years ago. It’s exciting because anything could happen and usually does.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
I’m not a betting man. But if I was, I’d bet you any money that there isn’t a story like this at the Fringe this year. So if you like a funny personal journey, then this is the show for you. I’ve managed to make a death threat very uplifting, which I know is a strange claim. A death threat changed my life and I feel great about it and I think the audience will too!
Is there anything specific you’re hoping for the audience to take away?
I want them all to have laughed and to leave having been thoroughly entertained. There is a moment during the show where as a collective they all seem to get the point of the show at the same time. They laugh then they applaud and it feels great. There is no serious message, although there is a bleak moment. But out of the bleakness come some very joyful moments.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
Anyone can come and enjoy this show and the story I’m telling. I’d like a busy room who are up for a good time and want to hear me spin a funny yarn. I say anyone, but actually, I’d rather the person who threatened to kill me wasn’t there because it could be a bit awkward to say the least.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
Every year I buy a big saucepan/frying pan so I can cook at the flat I’m staying in with my partner. I’m also going to buy a kettlebell, which is like a cannonball with a handle on it and possibly the greatest invention of all time which includes fire, the wheel and sliced bread. It’s used for exercise (not firing out of a cannon) and it’s an incredibly efficient workout that anyone can do at home.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the world of the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
Ideally, there will always be a fringe and audiences in every room. That’s a dream of course. For now, performance wise, if you could tell people about my show, I’d appreciate it. I’d really like a full room. As performers, we know what we are getting ourselves into. I think that in an ideal world there would be a cap on how much landlords can charge for performers as well as fringe goers.
