2015 Edinburgh Fringe

Kieran Ahern & Tom Dowling answer 10 Edinburgh Fringe Questions

Image shows from L to R: Tom Dowling, Kieran Ahern

Kieran Ahern and Tom Dowling were good kids, or at least they were according to their show title.

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

Kieran: We met each other when we were about 2 years old at church (both being Irish Catholics) and then went to the same primary and secondary schools. When we both went to the same uni to do the same degree we realised we'd never get rid of each other so we started writing together in about 2013. I performed in other people's stuff for a long time because I was too scared/lazy/pathetic (Ed. Note - Delete as appropriate) to do my own stuff.

Tom: Tom has had a long career writing funny speeches, and only recently converted to wider comic genres. In Year 7 he came second in the school's public speaking competition, the judges commented that he had a natural charm and his mother added that he should have won. He made the semi-finals in both Year 8 and 9, before marking his return to the finals in Year 10 with another wholly deserved second place. However, with his final shot at success in Year 11, Tom left nothing up to chance and wrote a stunning speech called 'Why I didn't write a speech this year...'; ironically, the speech was impeccably prepared and perfectly executed on three occasions as Tom journeyed from classroom to school hall in pursuit of his illusive first victory. He is hoping that this show will reignite his career as a budding writer of hilarious speeches.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Kieran: Kieran. And. Tom. Will. Make. You. Giggle. And. Chuckle. Like. A. Wee. Small. Child. Or. Failing. That. You'll. Come. Out. Filled. With. Hate.

Tom: Tom will make you laugh and cry like you did last night in the bathtub and Kieran will be there also. Birmingham. Life.

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

Kieran: Because the Fringe is the best place in the world. If we weren't performing, we would be there anyway so we might as well get up there and do our thing. Also, I want to meet Simon Schama one day and this is one rung up on the celebrity ladder.

Tom: I am desperate to be loved by people, and stress is no obstacle for a chance to impress my peers and build upon my limited friendship circle.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Short of hostage taking and offering very impressive time share deals with tickets to the show, no.

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

Kieran: Hopefully we'll break even to the penny.

Tom: I would like to become considerably richer as a result of this show, though I doubt this will happen, so I shall say this: we might not make much/any money this year, but you can't put a price on the experience of doing a show with your best mate.

Image shows from L to R: Tom Dowling, Kieran Ahern

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

Kieran: In my first year up there we stumbled across a daytime Christian festival with bands and stuff in the park near where we were staying. Obviously, we were tired, skint and hungry Fringe first-timers and we were attracted to the BBQ like moths to a flame. I remember having to hang around in the queue; a smelly degenerate trying not to look out of place, desperate for a burger.

Tom: I ran across town late in the evening last summer to catch a glimpse of Richard Tyrone Jones' What the f*ck is this? I got there as he was packing up after the show and requested to hear the infamous line just once - he pulled me close and whispered coarse and deeply into my ear, 'What the f*ck is this?' I think it made the evening for me. I think.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Kieran: Definitely going to see some shows from other people involved with the Oxford Revue (Issues, Cut the Mustard, Brief Interviews, Shaken not Stirred) but also The Pin, Daniel Kitson, lots and lots of things on the Free Fringe!

Tom: All of this sounds great Kiz, can I come with you?

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

Kieran: In the morning we'd have to start off with Tommy Cooper doing a kids show. What a legend. That would get things moving nicely. Then afternoon I'd have to have the Pajama Men because they're just really good at what they do. Tommy could come back out on stage with them in a sort of Live Aid style. Then in the evening I'd have Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish just chat with me while I was eating my dinner, and for the night-time Stewart Lee supporting Billy Connolly. Actually, I don't want to perform anymore, can we just make that line-up happen please?

Tom: Ross Kemp's comedy marathon.

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

Kieran: Jim Davidson. Why has he been rehabilitated into mainstream circles because he went on Big Brother!? What a git! I walked past him on the mile last year and the smug look on the face of the former Generation Game host made me want to throw up.

Tom: I would hate to see Bill Clinton, I'd be like, "why are you at the Fringe?"

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

Kieran: Birmingham. It's not shit. It's great. There's wicked people and culture and we want to tell you about that. And we're really funny. Trust us, we make our parents laugh loads.

Tom: Well said Kiz.

'Good Kids' is at 10:20pm at Just the Tonic at The Mash House on 6-17, 19-23 August. Listing

Published: Tuesday 21st July 2015

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