As newcomers to the Edinburgh Fringe we welcome Sam Gore to chat with us about his new show, A Calculated Risk. Sam and Max Dickens take the stage at the Laughing Horse Free Festival @ Espionage from the 6th to the 28th of August at 19.15 pm each evening.
1. What inspired you to become comedians?
My parents took me to see Simon Day live when I was a kid. I remember watching him as Dave Angel taking the mickey out of people in the audience and thinking “what a brilliant job”.
2. What’s your show about and where are you taking your show after the Edinburgh Fringe?
Max and I basically decided that there weren’t enough smug, arrogant, young and southern white men doing rude jokes at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and we’ve set out to rectify that. Nothing too big or complicated; just half an hour of stand-up each and it should be loads of fun.
After that we’re taking it to the Manchester Comedy Festival and then we’ll probably get divorced.
3. What are you most proud of?
So far, the moment, Lee from Gag Reflex said he wanted to represent me. The Frog and Bucket in Manchester is my spiritual home in comedy, it’s my favourite gig in the country, and to become affiliated with it through the guys at Gag Reflex was a proud moment.
4. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Probably Graham Linehan. I’m not a screenwriter but just look at what he’s put his name to already!
5. What kind of questions do you most like to be asked about your work and why?
I’m literally happy with anything – anything – other than “Go on then, tell us a joke”.
6. Do the reviewers of Fringe shows do a good job?
This will be the first full run I’ve done up here, so I’ll probably have to wait until after we’ve had a few write-ups before I can answer that question…
7. What do you feel about the current state of Arts funding available?
To be honest, it’s not something I’d even considered. Of course, if I’d heard of a way to help straightforward stand-ups out financially I’d have jumped on it – it’s an expensive trade to learn.
8. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?
I’d go for John McCririck, Germaine Greer and Michael Buffer. It’d be a hell of a fight, with a proper introduction. And I’d serve horse, just to get John in the mood.
9. What do you do to relax?
I doodle, and they nearly always come out horrifying. I genuinely think some of them would concern psychiatrists.
10. What would be your dream come true?
If I can carry on doing this for a living, I’ll be pretty damn happy.
Tags: 10 Questions: An Interview with Sam Gore, Gag Reflex Management of performers, Manchester Comedy Festival, Max Dickins, Sam Gore, The Frog and Bucket Manchester