Cornish comedian Matt Price brings his new show ‘As Seen on CCTV’ to Just The Tonic – Spare Roomt. This is his tenth Edinburgh Festival show and whilst he’s long been considered one of the underdogs of the Fringe, he’s back and now it’s time for him to be top dog!
‘As Seen On CCTV’ is a life-affirming story about how a free session with a life coach and a death threat changed Matt Price's perspective on everything - the death threat wasn't from the life coach - that would be bad for business! - but it was caught on CCTV. Matt tells you why he's happy to have finally walked away from his obsession with crime, making you laugh a lot as he does it.
Before all this, Matt had a popular podcast called Conversations with Criminals. He met some dodgy people in some dodgy places and he took risks, all because he wanted to know why someone chooses a life of crime. All was going well, and he seemed to have a natural rapport with hard men and gangsters or perhaps he was a just a good listener? That is until the day his luck ran out and one man actually threatened to kill him. It was a serious threat and one that stopped Matt in his tracks.
Matt Price has been a comedian for 20 years and has performed all over the world from Cambodia to Moscow to Australia. He once performed at a comedy night at Broadmoor maximum security hospital which went as badly as you think it might. He has done studio warm-up for various programmes and most recently featured on BBC Radio 4 doing stand-up on Unsafe Space. Matt has opened on tour for Russell Kane, Norman Lovett and Stephen K Amos.
Matt Price’s show ‘As Seen On CCTV’ is at Just The Tonic – The Spare One at 6.20pm from 3rd – 27th August (not 14TH). For tickets go here.
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 close my eyes and I visualise a giant red pillar box flying towards me on an airport runway. The bigger and brighter the pillar box gets, the more relaxed I become. I have no idea why, but this is the imagery that I saw whilst under hypnosis and it works in getting me “into state” before I perform. I also like spinach, especially in a smoothie. It helps avoid the spinach in the teeth scenario.
What irritates you?
Giant red pillar boxes and runways. I’ve never been a big fan of flying. And I have no issue with postman or post people, other than when they leave mail outside our flat at the bottom of the metal staircase. Also, I've just realised in answering this, that I'm more irritable than I thought. This is in itself, irritating.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I accidentally set myself on fire at a networking event at the Edinburgh festival. I walked backwards into a candle and felt a sharp burning sensation in my back. A member of the flyering team very politely put me out. On the bright side, everyone in the room wanted to talk to me. I had a big burn on my back but I'm better at networking than I thought.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I've taken some risks interviewing people on my podcast that I know longer do. Going to someone's yard with just a tape recorder and a keen interest in crime was actually quite stupid on my part at times. Then someone threatened to kill me. Not running away from them was in hindsight, also stupid.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
Just how shoddy and unprofessional certain parts of the industry can be. There is no barrier to entry which is both good and bad. It's like the wild west if you don't have any profile as an act. The biggest surprise is that I'm still going and still loving comedy after 20 years in the game.
Interview continues here
Picture: Steve Ullathorne
