2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Hedwig and the Angry Inch answers 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Jake Benson

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a comic rock show that tells the story of a young man from East Berlin who seizes an opportunity to escape communist Germany by getting a sex change and marrying an American GI. Here Music Director Chris Arnold and the characters Hedwig and Yitzhak answer our 10 questions...

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

Chris: As a university student, the idea of a real career scares me. But, I've always loved the way music and the stage influences my life. I love being on the stage and don't mind getting laughed at which came in handy at a bad compering experience a few years ago...

Yitzhak: I am beginning career as most famous drag queen in Zagreb, called Krysta Nacht, I billed on poster as "Last Jewess in the Balkans", but now? I hardly sing. I am "Husband" to Hedwig and not have passport as Hedwig keep it - I have nothing. What do you think? You think that I am happy? My whole life is a laughing time - a - how you say- 'tragicomedy'.

Hedwig: I think we can all agree the early 90's was an incredible time for music...that's where my band (mainly through my song writing) really started to become known. I feel that now certain "undeserved" music artists take all the glory. Comedy wise? I think that part of my career started when I was born...one could say I have a serious funny bone! Am I happy? Silly question. I'm always happy. Always...

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Hedwig: Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Wig. Funny. Me.

Yitz: Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. Hedwig. It's all about her.

Chris: German transgender diva in a stand-up comedy rock concert who breaks down six times a week because of untalented plagiarising ex butt boy.

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

Chris: I visited the Fringe for the first time last year and I fell in love with the atmosphere and talent I saw. So I thought what better way to be away from my parents for a month?! Sleep deprivation suits me I think.

Yitz: You make it sound like I have a choice - I just said - I HAVE NO PASSPORT.

Hed: There is no stress for me I have a Husband, the Angry inch (my band) and my manager Phyllis Stein, if she turns up - They do everything for me! And if they fail I have my best friend who is always at hand, well more In my hand... Gin is the answer to all your stress! Oh and I need the money, have you seen the state of this wig?

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Chris: I'm led to believe Ms. Hedwig has some glamorous tricks up her tasselled sleeves to get people suitably prepared for the show; she will be on the Royal Mile, and hitting all the gay bars and clubs as Ms Hedwig will be on the prowl for a new toy!

Yitz: Hedwig will think of something - Probably involves nudity!!

Hed: Well honey, let's say My knees hurt...! Have you heard of Carlton Hill?

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

Chris: It isn't cheap to make Hedwig presentable every night so if we can cover that, that'll be great! Any profits may end up going towards some Botox and a new beehive - But I doubt we will be getting paid!

Yitz: Does not matter. Hedwig will take it all anyway. Band members not paid.

Hed: Only time will tell, darling, but really, talking money is very crass, I haven't come here to talk about my Album Sales and new Fragrance and the millions in my bank! Please honey, I am a lady.

6. What are you most looking forward to about your first Edinburgh Festival?

Chris: I'm looking forward to playing to all sorts of people that invade Edinburgh - I know that 90% of the audiences I was in last year were mostly drunk so that will be fun. You have to be brave or foolish to sit at the front of this show!

Yitz: Seeing other drag queens perform. It has been long time. It will bring it all back for me.

Hed: I've been to Edinburgh before once, as a tourist. I'm looking forward to re-discovering the local scenery as well diving head first into a sea of new, exciting creativity!

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Hed: THERE ARE OTHER SHOWS AT THE FRINGE?! .....I need to make some calls... let's wrap this up quickly!

Yitz: Of course I love to see my wife mainly however RENT is favourite show... but they are playing at the exact same time as us. I know Hedwig did this on purpose...Can we change subject?

Chris: I'm hoping to see the plethora of shows at Greenside Venues, there is a great line up over the month! I'd also like to see a collection of Musicals, Improvisation and Comedy, Improv Musical, Jollyboat and Desperately Seeking Attention look like great shows - With over 3,000 shows and such a busy schedule it's difficult to choose.

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

Chris: If I could programme a venue I'd have to include Jon Richardson and Eddie Izzard - my two favourite stand-ups. Supporting them I'd have Shappi Khorsandi, Kathrine Ryan, Stewart Francis and all 6 pythons - a boy can dream!

Yitz: Eddie Izzard of course. He wears his lipstick so well, I like Billy Connolly. John Cleese... Barbara Streisand does not count as comedian right?

Hed: I would give anything to have Eddie Izzard in the line-up and I wish Graham Chapman would stop being so selfishly deceased so all 6 of the Pythons could headline for a month.

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

Chris: I'd rather not bump into Ms. Hedwig at the fringe as all the band (the Angry Inch) hate her, but we have no choice as she is keeping us hostage - help...please...

Yitz: Hedwig - but I will bump into her every night, No - she will bump into me. On purpose!

Hed: I guy called Tommy....you've probably not heard of him. He's a rockstar in the US? Spare yourself the grand dissatisfaction....he's an awful singer and terrible writer... except for his first album. Whoever wrote that is a genius!

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

Yitz: Because if Hedwig finds out you saw another show instead - you dead. Or without passport.

Hed: Is this really a question? I mean firstly this is not just comedy but a tragicomedy with a rock and roll musical score; it is a rock concert and comedy rollercoaster in one show! Why pay £20.00 to see a musical and comedy when you can have 2 shows rolled into 1 for £12.00 really - This is a question? You haven't asked me anything about my beauty tips, how I look so young or anything of the kind...In fact this interview is over...

Chris: Hedwig has been huge in the American mainstream after the smash-hit Broadway production last year and it's about time to bring her story back to the UK for the first time in years; the fringe is the perfect place for Hedwig due to its uncontested prestige for comedy and LGBTQ+ issues and shows.

'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is at 10:10pm at Greenside at Royal Terrace on 7-15, 17-22, 24-29 August. Listing

Published: Friday 21st August 2015

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