Stephen Grant

What is your show all about?

It's a combination of off-beat observation, redefining political correctness, and a skewed look at the workings of the entertainment industry from the inside.

Where and when can we see it?

You can see it at the Gilded Balloon Teviot at 8pm from 6th - 30th August (not the 16th, that's my day off!)

Do you love Edinburgh or is it a chore?

If you mean Edinburgh the city, I adore it. It's probably the most beautiful European capital of all. As for the festival, it's certainly hard work, but it doesn't feel like a chore because the time goes so quickly. I guess I love it in the same way someone would love a charismatic boss. There's a lot of admiration, but not much adoration!

What will you be doing with the other 23 hrs of the day?

Everything! People forget that fringe performers make up a large number of the audience for other shows, so I'm hoping to see at least 1 show a day on top of mine. Other than that, I'll be going to the gym and playing Chess and Texas Hold'em poker with other comics.

What's the best thing you've ever seen on the fringe?

That's a tough one - my strongest memories are of the stuff at the end of the last decade, when Al Murray was at his peak, and comics like Adam Bloom and Peter Kay were blowing people away. But if I had to choose one it would probably be Rich Hall doing Otis Lee Crenshaw in the year he won the Perrier. It was genuinely genius.

What's the worst thing you've seen?

That's an even tougher one! But that accolade must go to the production of Midsummer night's dream I saw in '98 by a university drama society, in which the lead roles felt that doing Shakespeare well consisted entirely of delivering the lines as monotonally as possible. The venue was a converted school gym, and everyone was sat cross legged on bean-bags. After 15 minutes most people had left, but I got cramp and couldn't move, and was stuck for the whole mind-numbing 90 minutes.

What's the most curious thing that's happened to you in Edinburgh?

Making friends with Steve Coogan in '98. He bounded up to me after having seen me on the documentary 'Edinburgh or Bust' and said, "I've seen you on the telly!", which was a touch surreal. We've been good friends ever since.

If you could persuade one VIP to come to your show who would it be? Why?

David Blunkett. My show has some interesting ideas on making airport security foolproof, and I'd love his opinion on them.

If the Edinburgh fairy could grant your wish, what would your wish for?

Honestly? For my reviews to come out in the first week and not the last week! Last year, I got a 5 star review from The List just 4 days before the end of the festival. A bit sooner would be lovely!

What advice do you have for first time Edinburgh punters?

It's all about the experimentation. Go and see something on a whim, something you would never normally go to, and something you reckon will be dire. Get as much in as possible - it's exhilerating and highly rewarding. Oh, and if you see me, tell me that you read this interview. Then I'll do a special one-off joke just for you. :)