2016 Edinburgh Fringe

Anna Morris: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Anna Morris. Copyright: Rosie Colins

Anna Morris answers 10 questions about her 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show...

Give us a quick overview of your comedy career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I started off by writing comedy sketches in around 2006 and got some on Man Stroke Woman and Newsrevue. I then took the leap from writer to performer in a double act with Beth Vyse in around 2009 and we did a couple of shows together in Edinburgh. I did my first multi-character solo show in 2012 shortly after making a web series (Georgina's Wedding Blogs) which unexpectedly went viral on YouTube! I was then cast in ITV2's Bad Bridesmaid in two episodes which I wrote/improvised. Since then I've done two more solo shows and a few TV things like Outnumbered and Count Arthur Strong.

I'm happy to be back in Edinburgh with a show that was very successful last year, and a growing audience. I'd love to be in more sitcoms now and to write my own and that is the next goal! My live stuff takes up a lot of time and energy but I really do love it.

Tell us one truth and one lie about yourself (but mix them up, keep us guessing!).

Ok guess!

1. I was engaged a few years ago and planning a wedding when it fell through. That is why I wrote a wedding based show and I actually use the wedding dress I was meant to walk down the aisle in, in the show!

2. I am completely deaf in my left ear, and have been since birth. I cannot hear a thing in it and have no directional sound which makes going to the cinema no fun, and performing in big rooms sometimes very disorientating!

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

Britain's Biggest Bridezilla returns to with 22 new wedding rehearsals. You're invited to become her wedding planners and fill-in guests. Don't. Be. Late!

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

The flyers are designed like wedding invitations (Chris Lince who makes my videos designed them - he's a genius!) which is a good way of putting the show in context and drawing people in. Plus it's free to get in and Love Hearts have provided me with mini packets to give away as wedding favours!

What's your plan for trying to eat - and drink - healthily during the Fringe?

Ha ha ha. I love this question. I can tell you the SAME thing happens every year. I arrive early and spend 3 days making nice food to store and freeze. I even make healthy smoothies. I vow not to drink every night and I normally go to a gym once. I am really smug on day 4. Within a week I'm living off cheese and ham toasties, pasta, wine, rum, coffee, chocolate bars and Red Bull. For some bizarre reason I always lose weight probably in Edinburgh despite this - I think my show must burn off at least 1,000 calories and I walk everywhere!

What will you miss most while you're away from home?

Well in that case nothing! I like being away from London for a month to be honest. I feel very at home in Edinburgh now as I've been so much. I will probably miss my bed though...!

Aside from performing, what else are you looking forward to doing in Scotland's fine capital?

I always go to North Berwick on my day off to get some seaside fresh air (it normally ALWAYS rains on my day off!). I usually eat out when my family are up and try new restaurants, and I always try and visit some galleries, gardens and less touristy places when I'm up.

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

Oooh so many! I'd go for a variety of performer types to make it a cabaret style venue. Here is a good selection: Puddles the Clown, Rachel Parris, Nish Kumar, Birthday Girls, Ellie Taylor, Marcus Brigstocke, Holly Burn, Marcel Lucont, Abandoman, Bourgeois & Maurice!

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

Oooh blimey that's tricky. Perhaps a guy that reviewed my show last year and spent the whole time on his phone, then gave it a horribly snobby review which really upset me. I can remember his face as he was on the 2nd row!

Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,800+ other Fringe offerings listed on BCG this year?

Because it's a guaranteed feel good show which is unique to every audience because it's different every single day. The audience get get as involved as they like, they can pick songs, write speeches, shout objections and much more. I semi-improvise to keep it fresh. Also it's like going to a wedding - and everyone likes going to a wedding - but at this one, you get to behave outrageously - all formality is out of the window. It's your big day, as well as hers!

'Anna Morris: It's Got to Be Perfect' is at The Voodoo Rooms at 3:55pm until the 28th August. Listing

Published: Tuesday 23rd August 2016

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