2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Alice House Theatre answers 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Hunting of the Snark

The Hunting of the Snark's Beaver answers 10 questions ahead of the show.

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

My career has been a non-stop rollercoaster of success, success, success, followed by a little more success. Not many people know I was the original casting of Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies - I had the right fur tones, you know? But my suggestion that they make Chewbacca the star of the entire series of movies, cutting all other parts, fell on deaf ears. More recently, though, I've played Paddington('s stand-in in the Paddington movie), a Dwarf's beard in The Hobbit, and Benedict Cumberbatch's toupee in Sherlock.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

It's a show where I search for a mythical creature called The Snark...don't want to spoil anything but I'm amazing in it.

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

Stressful? I have a whole entourage with me to keep me stress-free. I do a 3-hour yoga sesh post-show and then my masseuse, Candy, gives me a snout-and-back massage. Followed by milkshakes in the Pleasance bar, obviously.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Just the fact that I'm the star of the show should ensure a sell-out every day. That said, I'm putting the other 'performers' to work flyering for the show every day. Not because we'll need it, just to keep them busy and out of my face (they get a bit starstruck).

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

I'm being paid handsomely for my performance in The Hunting of the Snark. Do other performers usually lose money in Edinburgh? Oh. Seems a bit silly to me. But not everyone has the business acumen that I do.

Hunting of the Snark

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

The last time I performed at the Fringe was a one-beaver show - my own adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. I played all the parts, including the Shrew (it was a challenge being such a different type of furry creature). During that Edinburgh run, I remember drinking a few more milkshakes than I should and ended up running up Arthur's Seat without any clothes on. Not that I normally wear clothes but there were still a few shocked faces, I can tell you!

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Other shows? No, my post-show ritual of yoga, massage and milkshakes really means I won't have time to see any other rubbish......er, I mean...no, rubbish, I mean rubbish.

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

If I took over a venue there would be one show - An Audience with The Beaver. I'd tell my favourite Hollywood anecdotes for half an hour and then we'd all go to the bar.

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

I hear John Hannah is up in Edinburgh this year - he's never really forgiven me for beating him to the main role of "Bear" in the RSC's production of A Winter's Tale. So hopefully I won't bump into him. It might be a bit awkward.

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

Because mine is the only show that features me, The Beaver. And also a Bandersnatch. And a Jub-Jub Bird. And maybe a Snark. And it's really funny. And has good songs. Alright? But mainly because I'm in it.

'The Hunting of the Snark' is at 11am at Pleasance Courtyard on 5-16, 18-31 August. Listing

Published: Sunday 9th August 2015

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