Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
Steve Lee, creator of the Edinburgh Fringe show Mad Ron: Crime School. I’m a massive comedy fan turned Stand Up Comedian. The show was nominated for “Best Show” at the Leicester Comedy Festival.
Tell us about the creative team and process involved?
It’s me plus loads of friends and my director (Alexis Dubus) to bounce ideas off and lots of visits to new material nights. I write something every day and over the last 8 years I’ve accumulated a lot of material. I went through a lot of it and made a list of the best stuff and it naturally fell into a “lecture” style. Then a LOT of rewrites before previews and various Fringe Festivals. I try and make the show (and my stand up) better each time I go out. The great thing about comedy is there is no hiding – if you get a laugh it stays in the set, if it doesn’t we pretend it never happened and never mention it again.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
Exciting – It’s a lot of hard work and costs a fortune to put a show on but the pay off is being a better performer with more opportunities and a longer and stronger club set.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
It’s a genuinely funny show and very different to normal stand-up – audience reviews last year were excellent and a nomination for “Best Show” at the Leicester Comedy Festival indicates a quality show.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
How to get 8 pints for £5.60 – come along and find out how.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
The show appeals to everyone in all 16+ age groups (there is very little swearing). It’s a fun take on the opinionated bloke at the end of the bar spouting opinions on anyone that will listen. If I had to pick an audience it would be any genuine comedy fans and anyone that would spread the word about the show. If you were to pin me down, how about Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
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?
It’s a great chance to catch up with a few friends that I only see briefly throughout the year. I’ll take in a few shows Frank Skinner/Simon Evans/Josh Glanc/William Stone are on my list but the great thing is discovering someone new. In 2000/2001 as a punter, I found some amazing acts – Jimmy Carr before he really broke through performing in a show called Rubberneckers with Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Robin Ince. I saw Mark Watson as part of Footlights. Rob Rouse stripping off and getting into a paddling pool of baked beans. Daniel Kitson at Late n Live.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the world of the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
I’d take the focus off social media and on to quality. Some of the acts with a social media following do not translate to the live world very well. Stop overexposing (televising) excellent acts before they are ready – patience is the key. At the Fringe, provide shows for inexperienced acts to perform without them having to do a full/split show or have the financial exposure.
