2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Freddy Quinne answers 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Freddy Quinne

Gag Reflex Presents showcases various up-and-coming comedians. Freddy Quinne, one of the show's MCs, answers our 10 questions here...

1. Tell us about your career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I started comedy in 2010, so I've been going for about five years. In that time I've gigged with a few of my heroes in some of the best comedy rooms in the country. I've made friends with wonderful people and had incredible experiences that will stay with me forever. I've also slept in train stations and service stations, and have a sleeping bag in the boot of my car for when I'm kipping in my Corsa. Swings and roundabouts.

I'm not happy where I am at the moment. That's not to say that I'm not grateful - I know there are people who'd kill to be in my position - but rather that I'm always trying to get better and I tend to look at happiness as a form of complacency. I don't think I'll ever be happy with my act.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

This is like a shitter version of twitter. Right OK, here we go...

New showcase featuring some of the best unsigned comedians in the country. Free entry, so there's no danger of losing anything. Except time.

3. Why are you putting yourself through this famously stressful experience?

Only comedians could think working once a day every day is stressful. I'm not even organising anything. All I have to do is turn up at 3.30pm at The White Horse and talk for a bit.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

A realistic-looking gun and a map. If you see someone bollock-naked on the Royal Mile with a kalashnikov shouting "I KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE" at Japanese tourists, come say hi.

5. How much money do you think you'll lose/make this year?

I'll lose about a grand, but that's mainly down to the rising cost of accommodation during the Fringe.

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

Last year a comedian friend of mine called Adam Rowe was staying in a house share with a guy he'd found on Gumtree. It was this guy's house, Adam was just lodging for the month. On the very first day Adam came home pissed at 3am, took a bite out of a block of parmesan cheese, ate the guy's lunch he'd made for work the next day, then went to bed. The next day I was in his living room and the guy came in and bollocked Adam, right in front of me. I'm there trying not to laugh while this guy is going fucking mental, but I lost it when he mentioned the parmesan and shouted "For God's sake, Adam. It's for grating!"

Gag Reflex Presents

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Peter Brush - Older Than The Oldest Dog Who Has Ever Lived
Fern Brady - People Are Idiots
Phil Jerrod - Neanderthal
Sofie Hagen - Bubblewrap
George Egg - Anarchist Cook
Stephanie Laing - Nincompoop
Jonny Pelham - Before and After

These are all debut hours, too.

8. If you took over programming a venue, what would you perfect line-up of comedians be?

MC - Louis CK
Opener - Hannibal Buress
Middle - Mitch Hedberg
Close - Patrice O'Neal

9. Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

Medusa. Just seems like she'd be difficult on a front row.

10. Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,700+ other comedy offerings at this year's festival?

First of all, it's free. Secondly, it's on at 3.30pm so it's highly unlikely you'll be missing out on much else. Thirdly, the people doing this have been specially chosen to perform on this show so there's a strong caliber of acts on display. There might be 1,700 other shows on at the Fringe, but there aren't many free shows on at 3.30pm that have a high likelihood of not being shit.

'Gag Reflex Presents' is at 3:30pm at The White Horse on 6-16, 18-30 August. Listing

Published: Tuesday 28th July 2015

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