2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Augustus Stephens answers 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Augustus Stephens

Augustus Stephens has long campaigned for the right to be nude and spends as much time naked as he can... including during his comedy show.

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

In 2013 I gave up the day job to become a performer and mental health champion. In 2014 I took my first one-person-show This Way Madness Lies to the Edinburgh Fringe. It is a raw and humorous tale of going mad and coming back again.

After Fringe 2014, I decided to change direction a little and make the next show all comedy (no crying this time). So since Autumn 2014 I have been honing my skills as a comedian, developing Augustus and the Holy Grail and performing in places from Brighton to Cradley Heath.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Augustus goes on a quest for the Holy Grail and finds the secret to peace and happiness as well as the Naked Rambler.

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

My mission in life is to make people happy, including myself, and the way I have found to do that is to put my strange life on the stage.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I have a competition for the 'Best Bum on Fringe', and I'm hoping that mine wins.

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

I expect to lose three and a half thousand pounds.

Augustus Stephens

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

One day I had an audience of just two ladies possibly from South Korea, I don't think either of them had much English. One of them was blind and looking in the wrong direction - a pity for her as she missed my nude scenes.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Rob Auton - The Water Show
Trygve Wakenshaw - KRAKEN

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

Milton Jones, Harry Hill, Socrates (the philosopher)

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

Emperor Nero. He thought he was a great poet and singer, but if he wanted me to comment I would be unable to say anything but the truth. He'd probably have me crucified.

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

What other show has jokes, songs, verses, the secret to peace and happiness and also invites the audience to take their clothes off?

'Augustus and the Holy Grail' is at 11pm at The Free Sisters on 6-16, 18-23, 25-30 August. Listing

Published: Tuesday 28th July 2015

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