Show: Toby Isaacs: Existence is Futile Venue: Just the Tonic @ The Caves – The Big Room Time: 1.30pm Dates: 22nd -28th August Photographer: Joe Giacomet Links: Profile and Social Media
Please tell me about your 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show,
“Existence is Futile” sounds morbid, right? The last few years it’s become evident that while society has a few good ideas about what the world should be like, the general feeling is it’s somebody else’s responsibility. There’s a mixture of hoping there are every day heroes making a difference, but not realising that it should be ‘me’. We’re presented with a cop out by thinking we’re making good decisions if the spinach is ‘responsibly sourced’ and the cake we bought gives 5p to charity. Unfortunately, due to the high sugar content, we can’t eat the cake.
Like many others, this show was going to be my debut at Edinburgh Fringe 2020, where the theme focused on trying to change the world. Then world change was forced upon us all. This rewritten version acknowledges how drastically similar the world is 2 years on, hopeful that we can get things right before another global event stops us in our tracks again. Like the complete meltdown of the sitting government in a 36-hour window…
What is the attraction of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe? What do you think of Edinburgh?
I’ve been tempted by it several times, but it feels like it’s something you must get into, not just know that it’s happening. I love Edinburgh as a city. It’s not one for the faint-hearted. You need proper shoes.
Who inspires you?
Bob Mortimer. He’s so unpredictably silly.
Are there other shows you want to check out during the Fringe? What are they?
I’m keen to see ‘Another Castle’ by Dalia Malek and ‘Well Groomed’ by Paul Savage.
Finally, ask and answer a question of your own.
What’s a joke you can’t tell in 2022 you could tell in 2020?
“I think the Harry Potter series really lost its way when it stopped being about winning the house cup.”
