Tom Allen Interview

They have dogs in lots of shows though!
I think it’s to do with people’s phobia of Rottweilers more than anything!

Little dogs can be even worse! They can be really nippy when they want to be!
Oh I know! Exactly! They can be even more terrifying! It’s just like angry short people…they’re the most terrifying!

It seemed a bit unfair – especially since it was such late notice! Did you have to rewrite any of your show because of it or was she just going to be sat on the stage to demonstrate your point about fear?
I had to rewrite a little bit of it but essentially it didn’t cause too much problems because ultimately the show is about me telling jokes and the audience and there’s only so much a dog could take away from that but she is mentioned and I have a photograph of her so she’s still present in many ways!

I think it’s fair to say you’ve been a bit of a regular at the festival since you won So You Think Your Funny in 2005. What is it that keeps you coming back to Edinburgh?
I think it is just so brilliant – it is so scary because everybody’s doing it and everybody’s trying new stuff but everybody is in the same boat whether they are established or they’re new at it. I think it’s just a massive celebration! I think it’s really important that people make the effort to go out and see someone who they’ve never even heard of before. Comedy is such a personal thing so it’s important to see all different people’s viewpoints on things.

I love just going into a show where you have no idea what it’s going to be like!
Yes! It’s lovely, isn’t it?! Especially when you see someone enjoying themselves on stage! The Edinburgh Festival just has this amazing atmosphere that I haven’t really seen in many other places in the world, everyone is just out having a good time and celebrating! You get all different types of people too – I’ve had children at my show but I’ve also had busses full of eighty year olds show up too!

And finally, are there any other shows you’re particularly looking forward to seeing?
I am really looking forward to seeing Stephen K Amos’s show! He’s been really wonderful to me and I’m going to be on his television show soon so I’m really looking forward to seeing him!

Read our Tom Allen review here.

Interview by Amy Anderson.