This Edinburgh festival Fringe you can join The Alternative Edinburgh Walking Tour. It’s billed as a series of bizarre lies, half-truths, and outright fibs. According to your tour guide, comedian Andrew Blair, it’s a better context for his act than a stand up setting.
It starts at the Omni Centre, it finishes by some bins. It contains five minutes devoted entirely to bridges. Once we saw a dead bird.
“I lead some bemused tourists and comedy fans around the city. For most of the route, it doesn’t go anywhere famous, scenic or obviously interesting. It starts at the Omni Centre, it finishes by some bins. It contains five minutes devoted entirely to bridges. Once we saw a dead bird.”
Why did you choose to perform as part of the Free Fringe?
“I didn’t. This is just me, I live here and it’s mainly off my own back, with the rest of a comedy troupe, Chutney Exhibition chipping in with some writing. It just so happens that I’m doing this during the Fringe, but if it goes well I might make it a regular thing.”
To someone who hasn’t seen you, how would you describe your style of comedy?
“Deadpan hatred. Outlandish claims. Occasionally I wear shorts.”
What was your best experience on stage?
“My character died in Titanic 2: Pig in the City - back at Bedlam Theatre this September, fans of recently spoiled sketch shows! - and people were genuinely sad about it.
“Obviously this is the best example to use while I try to promote myself as a comedian.”
If you were curating a stand up show for television, who would be your guests?
“Poets. They’re less flaky than stand ups.”
Not in the Fringe programme. http://chutneyexhibition.com/articles/thealternativeedinburghwalkingtour
Website: www.chutneyexhibition.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chutneyexhibit
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The Alternative Edinburgh Walking Tour is at 3.30pm Thursday – Sunday throughout August (excluding the 17th and 21st), lasts approximately 70-90 minutes, and is free (though donations are accepted).
