Narin Oz returns to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her new show ‘Inner Child(ish)’ at the Just The Tonic Mash House. Narin mixes clowning with buffoonery - think Monty Python crossed with a working-class Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous, without a narrative!

With soaring accommodation prices at the Fringe, Narin has decided she will be camping in a tent for the duration to reduce her costs.  She has an obsession for ducks and birds and once did clowning in nature, where she had an autistic meltdown that changed her life forever.

‘Inner Child(ish)’ is a true account of Narin’s attempt to reconnect with her inner child, a survival show set inside her imagination. Created by Narin Özenci, her alter ego Narin Oz is a misbehaving, rule breaking prank loving being who enjoys nothing more than taking reality and flipping it on its head. She enjoys challenging the status quo, messing with social order and enjoying the chaos. Her shows are visually cartoonish and visceral and absurdly deadpan.

Oz has rediscovered her self-worth by going on an inner journey of discovery, reenacting scenes from the castaway movie in her flat. She introduces the hippocampus, along with three other parts of her brain which are responsible for continuously creating intrusive thoughts, inappropriate images and cognitive delay.  What’s even more irritating is the cluelessness about social situations and the shutdown it experiences after getting very alarmed when there’s too much stimulus. The trio are responsible for the all the mishaps in her life!  Narin’s brain keeps pranking her continuously, like a dog that doesn’t want to go for that walk. Welcome to autism.

Narin Oz is not good at real life, but finally, she is ready to take on the real world by keeping her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds. By making peace with herself she has learnt to be compassionate towards neurotypical people. Is she finally ready to step outside her flat? 

Oz is in the process of developing clown workshops specifically for neurodivergent people to help them embrace their full unmasked selves. Inner Child(ish) is designed for neurodivergent people without compromising the quality. Neurotypicals are also welcome!  

Narin Oz’s ‘Inner Child(ish)’ is at the Just The Tonic – Mash House – Just The Attic @ 4pm for the entire fringe. Buy tickets here. 

What irritates you?  

So much I don't know where to begin.

1) People making judgements on someone based on their socioeconomic background, race and colour. I think if everyone just got over themselves and really tried to see others there might be abit more empathy and compassion in the world. Having said that I don't talk to my neighbours. Half of them don't even know I even exist. 

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done? 

Stayed with someone who admitted they have no empathy (abusive relationship) because I thought I deserved it. I didn't know that is what I was unconsciously thinking at the time because the real abuser was me abusing myself- by staying with someone who wanted to "crush me". I thought I could change or fix them  but at the end of the day people know what they are doing and you can't fix someone unless they do the work themselves. I mean if someone ignores you for a week because you couldn't decide what drink you wanted, beats you up and threatens to throw you down the stairs thats a big clue isn't it. He once said, "you're dead inside". If you're reading this. I'm a zombie now. Still got more emotional range than you will ever have. I really need to let this go. So yeah letting go and trusting the universe is the most scariest thing I have ever done. Forget the other bit. 

What is the most stupid thing you have ever done? 

Watching a moth bang into a closed window for 20mins.  I didn't have my phone on me so watching it on tik tok wasnt an option. I watched Mothmut the moth (yes I named him) thought what an idiot, you'd think after the 3rd time it would know.  It wasn't even listening to the  air traffic control gestures I was doing for it. I was pointing at the open door furiously, hoping it will eventually work it out. See, you can't really do that watching a tik tok video because there's a phone in your hand.  However I had faith and was  emotionally invested just like any other angry football fan shouting, "OVER THERE! OVER THERE! YOU TWAT! After 18mins it stopped and took a rest. I thought oh finally it's worked it out. Someone coughed in my ear. I looked around feeling embarrassed and there was about ten people standing next to me rooting for Mothmut. Watching, waiting the air was pensive like a penalty kick. Mahmut took a run up, flapped it's tiny wings and flew away and went straight into the window again. Eventually I had enough and picked it up from it's wing and took it outside onto a tree. I should have done that in the first place really I was thinking as Mothmut flew back inside with me into the window again. I'm sure there's a lesson here something about a horse and water - letting go and trusting malaki. 

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

How I'm still googling: "What is comedy?"

What do your parents think of your job?     

"I don't understand it Narin, where are my grand kids?"   

What’s the worst thing about being a comedian? 

1) When you still bomb occasionally after 20 years of performing, trying new material out and an audience member says "nice try". 

2) Skill regression after autistic burn out 

I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

I suffer from low self worth but im learning to have fun with it. It's like limbo. How low can you go? People believe in manifestation malarki about words being powerful which is ridiculous. I can look in the mirror and say "im a penguin, i'm a penguin" but I still wont grow a beak. Manifestation takes action, feeling from the heart and so I'm raising money and going Turkey. 

How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn? 

I'm not ready to be this emotionally available with you, lets keep it as surface level conversation please. Do you want to know more about my traumas? 

How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

 I have a writing and performing credit for Girls Go Trolling Channel 4 online and played Nurse Tajuka for Man Like Mobeen, season two episode two Wrestling with the NHS. I also played Crysta in a gangster movie called Hooligan Legacy. Having said all this I don't believe in luck because everything that happened happened because I nuture my skills obsessively. Everything that didn't happen was because I was distracted. Many people are desperate to impress and need others to validate themselves. I believe you must nurture yourself and the network you have around you. No man is an island. Keep doing things that excite you, be your own competition and let the right people in to travel with you. I have stupidly burnt bridges in the past engulfed in my own self doubt and insecurity instead of dancing in joy and pleasure like that idiot Lucy Hopkins always preaches about.  Check her out she is one of the best clowns. Cheeky Kita is also hilarious and has a show on at the Ed Fringe called Bat Sh**.  

Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?

I didn't come all this way to compartmentalise myself into a standard set by Alan Davies thank you. 

Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?

A beautiful soul once told me, "you don't know anything". He's my favourite ever because he's so paradoxically controlled and measured in a world full of chaos and unpredictability. 

Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).

Stop being a baby and tidy your drawers. 

Narin Oz’s ‘Inner Child(ish)’ is at the Just The Tonic – Mash House – Just The Attic @ 4pm for the entire fringe. Buy tickets here. 

Picture by Steve Ullathorne

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