2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Ben Fairey answers 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Ben Fairey

Ben Fairey introduces his character-based show Floe-Joe's Faces...

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

I've been doing comedy for just under two years now. I started it as a way to add another string to my bow in the arts world. I already did some acting and music jobs for TV and theatre but I wanted to make something that was entirely my own creation.

I'm pretty happy with the direction I've gone in. It's a millions miles from a straight line but that's the nature of performance.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

An exclusive album listening party hosted by record producer, Floe-Joe. Whilst his music plays, the 'Faces' in his head perform chaotic comedy sketches.

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

I always need a challenge. I don't see the point of just being on Earth to wander around. Have a goal, a direction.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I'll just tell them I have free punts to give away. They're punters so I'm sure they'll like that even though not all of them will be from Cambridge.

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

So far, I've done well for expenditure this year because I got it all out of the way in January. That gave me the rest of the year to gig and save up. As for making money, I'm not sure. It depends how much extra cash the nice punters want to put in my bucket when they leave the venue! I've got my Puss in Boots eyes ready so fingers crossed.

Ben Fairey

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

A conversation I had with a taxi driver about a spaceship.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Diane Spencer's Power Tool and hopefully James Brown is Annie - Funk on the Fringe. Two very different shows but no doubt both brilliant.

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

A cyborg Robin Williams, a cyborg Joan Rivers, Kazumi Kasano, Two Episodes of Mash to add some sketch flavour, ZooNation doing some funny street dancing and then Jamie Foxx doing a comedy skit on the piano. So that's a mix of acts dead and alive. It might be possible...

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

Anyone who is not on the Edinburgh wave length and doesn't know how to have fun. Haters got to get gone!

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

It's a playlist of uptempo, groovy tunes mixed together with some wild sketch comedy. It's something unique without intending to sound like it's trying to push the envelope.

I've just aimed to make something with the intention of being honest and true to itself, much like any performance should be if it wants to make a decent impression and stand out from the crowd a bit more. For me, the audience are the priority and I really try to be inviting and bring them in to be a part of the action so that by the end, performer and spectator are like best friends. If you're someone with a BIG heart, a BIG sense of humour and are up for an hour of fun with YOUR best friends, I recommend Faces.

Floe-Joe's Faces is at Just The Tonic at the Mash House on 6-17, 19-30 August at 9pm. Listing

Published: Friday 17th July 2015

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