Performer: Andrew Maxwell
Photograph by: Steve Ullathorne
Show: Shake a Leg
Venue: George Square Theatre
Promoter: Get Comedy by arrangement with CKP and Intertalent Group

Tell me about your Edinburgh show.

It will be based on the climate at the time and the world around me. And life in what goes on in my living room

Tell me about your first gig.

A comedy competition with 6 people entered and I came joint 5th with a novelty act, Neville Sphincter (catchphrase ‘what an arsehole’). I was 17.

Do you have any rituals before going on stage?

I must have a cup of tea and a pee directly before I go on other than that nothing.

Tell me about your best and worst review.

I’ve had my fair share of good reviews mediocre and bad, but I don’t remember them. I’m very grateful for good ones that encourage me and the bad ones for the kick up the arse.

During this Edinburgh run, do you plan to read reviews of your show?

No – that’s mental like stopping in middle sex climbing off and asking how it’s going!

How do you feel about reviewers generally?

Great – it adds to the whole thrill of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I think they are awesome they can push forward a new talent and keep veterans on their toes.

In April 2018, YouTube comedian, Markus Meechan (aka Count Dankula) was fined £800 for training his girlfriend’s pug dog to do a Nazi salute with its paw, in response to the phrase ‘Gas the Jews’. Do you believe Meechan committed a criminal offence, and why?  

I’m not au fait with this and no idea – that leaves me cold.

Are there any subjects that are not suitable for comedy?

You can talk about anything as long as it’s true – if you know about your topic then no one is offended – the only thing I can’t bear is ignorance.

Have you ever gone too far?

By nature, it’s subjective so unanswerable. I’ve never done time for my comedy!

Looking back over your time as a comedian, tell me about the best gig of your career.

So many – it’s hard to pick – not so much an individual gig – it’s a sound hitting the hilarity of the audience and you feel any darkness from the audience getting exorcised.