US comedian Kyle Ayers makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut with ‘Hard To Say’ at Just The Tonic Caves - Just Up The Road. This comes off the run of packed out shows across the States, with Ayers connecting with audience members of all backgrounds in a cathartic way about the darkest topics. 

“Hard to Say” details Ayers’ years long, ongoing battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a debilitating pain disorder more frequently know as Suicide Disease (because of its highest rate of suicide of any known ailment). With pain flare-ups electrocuting his head and face on a daily basis, Kyle figured his best chance of not giving up was to take a step back, and laugh, no matter how much that hurt. After dozens of injections, pills, radiation, and even brain surgery all failed to work, why not try jokes? 

With unwavering honesty and vulnerability, Kyle invites audiences into the depths of his experience with this excruciating condition. He has been told he “doesn’t look like he has a brain disease,” (who does?), and so maybe he is the perfect person to speak out. So many of us are carrying pain around that is unseen, Kyle wants us to laugh at and through it, and come together and ease up on each other a little bit. 

Despite the unimaginable pain he endures, Kyle refuses to let Trigeminal Neuralgia define him. Instead, he harnesses the power of comedy to confront his struggles head-on, finding moments of levity and connection amidst the darkness. His journey becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of laughter.

Kyle lives in Los Angeles and is the creator and host of Sirius XM’s Boast Rattle. In 2020 he made his late-night stand-up debut on CONAN and put out his debut album Happiness.

Kyle Ayers' ‘Hard To Say’ is at Just The Tonic Just Up The Road @ 7.25pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com 

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) 

Right before I go on stage, I will take a few deep breaths, but there’s no routine for me. I try and stay slightly distracted, whether it’s talking with friends backstage or the like. I feel most present when I am not completely in my head before I walk on stage, and I have the best shows when I am most present.

What irritates you? 

I know not everyone will like this, but I get irritated at persistent lateness. If you’re late once, or on rare occasions, that’s ok. I get that. It happens. If you’re late every single time I expect something of you? Ok, I won’t expect anything of you anymore, in that regard. Just respect my time, and other people's time. People in Los Angeles, where I live, will frequently be late and say something like “Oh, there was traffic,” as though this was the first and only instance of traffic in the history of Los Angeles. Who could have possibly foreseen traffic in a city where there is traffic every day? I suppose it’s not the funniest answer, being irritated by lateness, but it’s what gets to me the most. Funnier answer (yet also true)? I cannot stand when I go to a website for a recipe and it is preceded by the person’s entire life story. Please, I don’t need to learn all about your family history with different types of flour, just tell me how to bake the cookies. 

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done? 

I have a degenerative nerve disease in my head that lead me to brain surgery. They asked me if I had a will and testament before that surgery, which is the only time that’s come up in my life. 

What is the most stupid thing you have ever done? 

I have a life full of stupid, regrettable decisions. Standing out now is that I lived so long with the nerve disease I have before I ever publicly reached out, posted online, or said anything about it. I lived quietly in pain for years, pursuing and failing to find help or a cure, and let my extreme pain infest and affect relationships and every aspect of my life. Sure, now, I still live in the pain, but I feel a lot less lonely.

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

The world of comedy is so vast and so deep. You can meet new comedians everywhere and everyday who are hilarious, wonderful, and successful. The breadth of possibilities is endless. You can stumble into a new comedy scene while traveling and find a pocket of the funniest people you’ve ever met, performing in a place you’ve never heard of, for folks you’ll never seen again. It’s beautiful. There is so much great comedy, and there is no “path.” For better or for worse, if you’re funny and you keep at it, you can carve out a space entirely your own, and find a bunch of people who love what you’re doing.

Interview continues here