Interview: Rarely Asked Questions – Adam Hess

I laughed like a loon at Adam Hess' Fringe show last summer. The gags flew around the room at such a fast and furious pace that I was still chuckling at one punchline when the next one hit me. He more than deserved his Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nomination. As well as the wordplay and one-liners there is a playful, childlike streak to Hess. He felt a bit like a boy trapped in a man’s body. His new show is called Feathers. I'm hoping to be tickled again.
 
Adam Hess: Feathers is at 4:10pm at Heroes @ The Hive. £6 to guarantee entry or PWYW. Info here.

 

1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth )?

I always go for a wee. This is dumb because the chance of pissing myself on stage is far smaller than the chances of me getting piss on my jeans 30 seconds before going on stage. This has happened countless times and resulted in me getting booed off in Watford in 2012.

 

2. What irritates you?

Pretty much all music and babies who dress better than me.

 

3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

A few days ago while on stage when the mic fell out of the lead I quickly put the mic lead into my mouth and pretended I was getting electrocuted. I guess a part of me knew this could kill me but I don’t know enough about science to know if it definitely would have done. I am clearly desperate for laughs.

 

4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

On my 18th birthday I bought lottery tickets (specifically ‘Thunderball’ tickets) with all of my birthday money. I won £110. I won’t say how many tickets I bought but it was an overwhelming loss. I told my parents that I spent the money on hiring the upstairs bar of a pub and had a party there. I actually spent it watching Summer Heights High in my friend’s bedroom and had half a cigarette.

 

5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?

How often the people who run gigs put buckets of Marks & Spencer ‘Brownie bites’ in dressing rooms. I’m not complaining. It’s just a very specific thing to think that people want. I don’t think I had even heard of Marks & Spencer Brownie Bites before I was a comedian. However, now I feel uncomfortable going on stage without at least 5 bites under my belt.

Interview continues here.

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