Words: Claire Smith

You’re one of the Edinburgh stalwarts.  How has the Fringe changed over the years?

Well, it may well be my memory, but in the early days of the Edinburgh Festival I’m sure that it used to be staged in Rio De Janeiro.

What is the enduring appeal of improv shows – for you and the audience?

I think that the enduring appeal of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums is that every show is totally different. So that each time you see a show it is newly minted with jokes and set ups that you will never see or hear again.

How do you rehearse for an improv show?  And how do you know it will be funny?

You can’t possibly rehearse an impro show because you have no idea what is going to happen and you only know that it will be funny because that’s always how it has been. Because we’ve all worked together for so many years we are all on each other’s wavelength and often have a general idea of where the others might be heading.

Do you have any Fringe rituals or superstitions?

The only Fringe ritual I have is to make sure I arrive before the show and leave at the end as soon as it is over.

What are your favourite things to do in Edinburgh when you’re not on stage.

Waking up on Arthur’s Seat at 5.00 in the morning wearing a kilt and reeking of absinthe and having a very unclear memory of what I’ve been doing the previous night.

Tell us about your Chums – what are their special talents?
The overwhelming quality of the rest of the chums is that they are cheap to hire! They are all good eggs and even if the show should one day fail at least I’ll always be able to make an omelette

Paul Merton’s Impro Chums
Pleasance – Grand (Venue 33)
10th to 20th August
3.30pm