Show: Joe Wells – I Am Autistic Venue: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth (Chamber Room) Time: Noon Dates: 6th to 28th August Illustrator: Tim Stringer Links: Profile and Social Media
Please tell me about your 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.
It’s a stand up show. In 2020, I had a video clip about being autistic go viral, and I found myself in the awkward position of being considered a spokesperson for autistic people. The show explores the “theme of identity” but then so does every other show in Edinburgh. It’s basically me going “well if I’m being made a spokesperson then I might as well say something”
What is the attraction of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe? What do you think of Edinburgh?
Just the scale of the festival is incomparable to anything else. Audiences are nice, and doing an hour-long show allows me to delve deep into ideas which I find interesting.
Who inspires you?
Anyone who is driven by excitement and passion for their work. Robin Ince is always the one that springs to mind, I love that Robin’s whole career is just him being passionate and excited about stuff and making the work he wants to make (and obviously he’s very funny with it too). That’s the kind of career I’d like to have.
Are there other shows you want to check out during the Fringe?
I saw Abigoliah Schamaun and Andrew White’s previews last week, and they were both beautiful, thoughtful, and very funny shows. I’ll probably go see them again, plus I always make an effort to see John Kearns because he is a genius.
Finally, ask and answer a question of your own.
Which is the best Kendrick Lamar album?
Ooh, good question. To Pimp a Butterfly is the obvious answer, it’s so ambitious but delivers on everything it sets out to do. Lyrically, musically and thematically it does so much and does it all well. Having said that the latest album really blew me away, I don’t think we’ve had the space to properly assess it after a couple of months, but I think it’s taken hip hop to a new and exciting place and its impact will be great.
