Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Doktor Kaboom! The good Doktor’s newest show fuses astonishing live science experiments, stand-up comedy, and lessons in empowerment, for an hour of ‘perfect family entertainment’ (PowShowbiz.com). Back for an electrifying third year with brand-new experiments for 2024.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
It’s a professional comedy show for families, focused on life lessons and science demonstrations. My goal is to give the entire family an hour of shared laughter, insight, and adventure. And I succeed. I’ve been performing shows as this character, Doktor Kaboom, for 16 years all over the world. More than 2,000 performances, over a million audience members. I regularly hear from people who have seen my shows who tell me their families still retell the stories and laugh together. In the US, kids even dress up as me for Halloween! It doesn’t get much better than inspiring young minds, in my view.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
I’m a character comedian. Meaning I build the character first. So the comedy comes from who he is, and his interactions with the world around him. I built Doktor Kaboom performing street theatre. Not doing a show, just interacting with anyone who would play, entertaining groups of one or fifty didn’t matter, they all helped me figure out who he is. Once I had a solid grasp on the character, I started wrapping him around science demonstrations, and I quickly discovered that this combination gave me a unique opportunity to teach lessons in personal empowerment. It is by far the most fulfilling work of my life.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
Coming the first time (2022) was terrifying, thrilling, exhausting, and uplifting! And so was last year. My first Fringe was a career-long dream come true, and by the end of it, I was hooked. This is now my third year and I don’t see any reason to stop. The audiences are spectacularly fun! They are intelligent, playful, funny, and love to laugh. The artists from around the world are amazing and constantly impress me. I learn from everyone I meet.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
The Joy. I spent 20 years making adults laugh for a living before turning to family audiences. It was tough, gruelling work, too often in unpleasant locations with unpleasant audiences. I loved it most days, but sometimes not so much. When my daughter was born in 2004, I decided I wanted my work to be something she could enjoy, so I turned to family audiences. And family audiences are the BEST audiences. Because of the Joy. A family enjoying something wonderful together is unlike anything else. TLDR: Lots of kids shows are just that, shows for kids. You see them, they can be fun, stunning, spectacular. For the kids. The parents are often bored or even asleep. The joy isn’t shared. My shows are for the family. Everyone in the family will laugh hard. And they’ll share those laughs for years to come.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
My hope is that people will leave lighter than they went in. That the experience we create together will brighten their days for a good while. I also hope to impart a few
lessons along the way. For example, that science is for everyone, not just the people in lab coats. And it’s active, it is not meant to be read, it is meant to be done.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
Ideal: Anyone of any age who loves to play, kids are great, but not necessary. Also press, wealthy arts donors, television producers, and people who like to buy pints for starving artists.
Less than ideal: People who already bought too many pints for themselves.
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?
I like to hit the Royal Botanical Gardens for an hour or two when I need to recharge. They are magnificent. I’m excited to see my friend, Jamie Denbo’s show, “Jamie Denbo: Beverly Live”. She’s brilliant with character comedy.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
Wow! Big question. The only answer that springs to mind is the term, “Kids Shows”. I wish we would stop using it. Or maybe also use “Family Shows”. They’re different animals.
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’