Adele uses her gag-heavy style and penchant for silliness to tackle the topic of lying and why we do it (or does she?) Dave’s Funniest Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016. UK Pun Champion 2020. Leicester Comedy award nominee – Best New Show 2023.

Speaking about the 5th full-length standup show, Adele Cliff matters with the Corr Blimey team

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Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show/event/performance is?

My show Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions is my 5th full-length standup show. It’s all about lying and consequences, and it’s really funny. 

Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?

I have now written 5 shows, and I am someone who loves to preview; I always want to get as many performances in before the fringe as I can. I like having loads of chances to add new jokes and to figure out the best way to perform and enjoy each piece of my show. The best kind of feedback is an audience laughing (or not laughing), and I always find the deadline of a gig makes my writing more focused and funny. 

This year I have been working with my friend and director, the super talented Jack Carrivick. We have had fun playing around with the structure, switching in and out alternative punchlines and working on what we want the audience to leave the room feeling. It’s been brilliant and I can’t wait for people to see it.

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How does it feel coming to the Fringe?

It’s my 11th trip to the Edinburgh Fringe, and I feel like the fringe is the anchor point of my year, it’s something I spend a lot of time preparing and planning for and looking forward to. 

Once I finally arrive, it feels like waking up early on the morning of a holiday to go to the airport. I’m all excited and jittery and worried I’ve forgotten my passport, but I’m so thrilled to be there and excited to see the people and the shows.

With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?

My show has been all over the world, or at least to the other side of it (Adelaide and Melbourne), to help get it into the best possible shape for EdFringe.

This is a show where laughter is the priority; it’s about lying and regret and honesty, and, at the same time, it’s a show with a super high gag rate. I think it’s important for an audience to feel connected to the show, the themes and the performer, but to never feel like they’re too far away from the next joke.

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Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?

I hope my audience will leave the show feeling excited to go and see more shows and excited to tell people about my show. 

Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?

I love comedy nerds. If you’ve got a colour-coded fringe spreadsheet, I WANT YOU. Ideally, nobody is watching from NASA, I’ve got some thoughts about gravity and space travel – they aren’t ready for!

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 have loads of recommendations, as a start, I’m excited to see Glenn Moore, Sikisa, Bec Hil, Raul Kohli and newcomers Will Davies and Robyn Reynolds.

I am going to give out cards at my show with a link to my recommendation list that I’ll keep updated during the fringe. Here it is if you want to see the shows I’m already excited about: https://linktr.ee/AdelesRecs

When I’m not watching shows, I love the cat cafe on Grassmarket, cake and cats, five stars.

In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, performance, and the industry?

If we ignore money (a huge if, I know), I think one thing that would really make the fringe feel nicer and more welcoming for all the performers would be if the main fringe performer pass was accepted at all venues to let acts fill any last-minute empty seats and see shows they might not see otherwise. 

As it is, mostly passes from the same venue can do this, but it does keep people in their own venues a lot and stops them from meeting as many performers and seeing a wider range of shows. 

It’s nicer for the audience to be part of a full crowd and for the performers to see one. 

Other festivals I’ve been to have done this, and I found I was able to meet and support a lot more acts and shows because of it, which was lovely.

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