Award-winning comedian David Ian makes his Edinburgh Festival debut at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his show ‘(Just a) Perfect Gay’ at the Just The Tonic Caves for the month of August.‘(Just a) Perfect Gay is a show about searching for belonging when you don’t fit in.
Growing up gay in a small town in the nineties Kent, it was easy for David to think that his sexuality was the reason he didn’t fit in. Dreaming of what life would be like when he grew up, ran away to Aberdeen and found ‘his’ people, he would finally know what it’s like to be normal-Hell, maybe even be popular
David Ian is a London-based actor and stand-up comedian. He presents the weekly podcast Mediocre Gayand is one of the founders of The Queer Comedy Club-the UK’s first permanent LGBTQ+ comedy club. He has headlined Milton Keynes Pride and Ludlow Pride and has performed alongside acts such as Josh Jones, Stephen Bailey & Jessica Fosketew.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
I’m David Ian, I’m a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer, I live in London and I cofounded the UK’s first LGBTQ+ comedy club – The Queer Comedy Club, present the podcast Mediocre Gay and I’m producing & starring in a new TV show on OUTtv called Live at The Queer Comedy Club in 2024.
My show is called (Just a) Perfect Gay. So I’ve always wondered if I’m the perfect gay or the worst gay and I think it started because when I lost my virginity I got a death threat and I was never sure if that was because I was so good at it or so bad at it – and ever since I’ve always been really worried about being a perfect gay. And this show is my investigation of that! So if you’ve ever felt like you’re not quite good enough or you’re slightly on the outside of everyone else then this show is going to speak to you.
Tell us about the creative team and process involved?
Well, I’ve been working with my director Dec Munro on this show since about January but the show itself I’ve been working on since June last year – so it’s taken quite a while to get it to fruition! These last 2 months have been full of doing work in progress shows and I have been using all of that audience feedback to continue to hone and tweak the show to make it as good as possible!
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
I am SO excited – to be in Edinburgh (which I love) for my first Fringe, to be with all my comedian friends, to see so many amazing shows and to actually show people my show after I’ve been working on it for so long. The anticipation I’m feeling is incredible! What a unique opportunity to perform your show every day for nearly a month – nothing else is going to get the creative juices flowing just like that!
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
The show is really personal, and I think it gives you a unique perspective of the world. There’s probably also not many other shows that came out of a death threat I guess…so I’d like to think that sets the show a part slightly! What I will say is I think the show has a lot of heart and I really hope that audiences can feel that when they see it.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping for the audience to take away?
I guess the first is that whatever happens, no matter how bad it is at the time, something good can come out of it, which it is very difficult to remember at the time all the bad stuff is going on! I think also that the strive for perfection is totally nonsensical and doesn’t lead anywhere good. I’m not sure that any positivity can come out of perfection and this show I think proves it!
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
Well Cher is there. I’ve written a show with the intention she would see it and then we’d become friends. So hopefully she’ll be in Edinburgh in August…other than her I don’t think any bigots or homophobes should come to the show, they won’t enjoy it and they’ll disturb it for everyone. Literally, everyone else should come and have a laugh!
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?
Well I plan to relax by spending a lot of time with my comedy friends who are going to be in Edinburgh as well But I also need to make sure that I have a few nights where I go home straight after the show and try and make sure I get enough sleep. In terms of shows I’m excited to see, Kate Dale: Up to Scratch, because I’ve been involved in creating that and I can’t wait to see it finished and performed. And I’m a big Gail Porter fan so I’m thrilled she will be up here with her first show, Hung, Drawn and Portered I honestly can’t wait to see that. Vix Leyton I’m a big fan of as well so looking forward to her show.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the world of the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
I imagine everyone is saying the same thing – the cost, it is out of hand and prohibitive. The sacrifices I have made to bring this show to the Fringe are huge. It would be amazing if it wasn’t such an expensive thing to do – I wonder how many incredible shows we’re not seeing because the creators can’t pull off the financing.
