Show: Rajiv Karia: Gallivant Venue Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two Time: 4.25pm Dates: 3rd to 28th August (not 17th) Photographer: Matt Stronge Links: Profile and Social Media
Tell me about your 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Gallivant
Well it’s my debut stand-up show. I decided to call it Gallivant cos my mum always used that word to describe me as a teenager because I was almost never at home. Something which I’ve not really grown out of. But I don’t live in her house anymore, so that makes sense. And it’s a show about taking adventures, and not taking them. And there’s a story in it about this one time I went to an escape room. Which in itself is an adventure that you don’t really go on. Because you’re locked in a room with people you hate more by the minute.
It’s about lots of silly things in my life, and the things I’ve observed in other peoples lives. I think it’s a nice, funny show, but the truth is that it doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what you think.
It’s your debut Edinburgh hour. Have you visited the city before? What have you heard about the Fringe? What do you expect?
Yep, I’ve had hundreds of happy memories in Edinburgh. I first went up when I was a student. I was in a sketch show with a group called Revunions, based at Bristol Uni. We had a sketch in that show where there was a city in a film noir where everyone was competing to be the narrator. Maybe I’m just looking back fondly, but I think it was a masterpiece. The rest of the show was merely excellent. In that first year, I was amazed at how incredibly fun every minute feels at the Fringe. And I still am. Even Edinburgh at its most stressful beats any day of regular life. But if anyone from the awards asks, I’ve never been to Edinburgh before. In fact, I’ve never done comedy before. I hope it goes well.
As well as being a performer, you’re an actor and an accomplished writer for radio and television. Do you prefer writing, acting or stand up? – and why?
I love writing for radio and TV because you’re mostly creating content for someone else’s voice. When you do stand-up, it’s all got to be in your own voice. How am I supposed to know what I’m supposed to say? Maybe I should just ask me? I have tried, but every time I look in the mirror, my reflection is constantly talking over me.
Tell me about Malory Towers.
It was really cool to be a tiny part of such a beloved show. My next ambition is to become a medium size part in a tolerable show, and eventually the lead in a universally-hated program.
Write down the question you wish I’d asked and then please answer it for me.
How do you get your hair like that?
Towel dry, argan oil, and coming from a long line of women with beautiful hair.
Tickets: Rajiv Karia: Gallivant
