Scott Gibson was a very popular winner of the lastminute.com Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Prize this year. And not just because he is Scottish. Gibson is one of those annoyingly blessed people who can stand onstage and tell a gripping, compelling, funny story about themself as if they are chatting away to mates in the pub. Yet there is depth to his show Life After Death too. It's about mortality, masculinity and much more. We won't give away too much except to say that it is the tale of Gibson going through a major life-altering event. Just see it for yourself. He brings it to the Soho Theatre from December 20 - January 14. Tickets here.
1. 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 )?
Last thing I do before I go on stage is try to find a quiet space to stand in, start and stop my watch 2 or 3 times to make sure it’s working, take a deep breathe and hope I don’t die on my arse. I’m also listening to the MC in case there is anything I can play off of what’s been said before I come on.
2. What irritates you?
Everything. People, crowded spaces, bad drivers, rain, poor service, bad food, replacement bus services, Podcasts with poor audio quality. I could go on. I suppose it changes on a daily basis and depending how I feel that day. I’d say it doesn’t take a lot to get me going. I’m sounding like a right old grump here, I mean I’m not just maybe it’s part of getting older.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Commented on my fiancé choice of lipstick. I don’t know, I did some daft things when I was young involving fireworks, glass bottles and a wheelie bin. Other than that once on holiday in Andorra we got stuck at the top of the mountain during a complete white out and had to board down almost blind. It took a good two hours to get down, that was pretty hairy.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
The most stupid thing I’ve ever done, again it’s a tough one. I know there are probably loads of daft things I’ve done over the years. The most stupid, well that snowboarding incident in Andorra was pretty stupid. I bought a light sabre once with a student loan payment for £260 that was stupid. Nothing too mental springs to mind.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
What has surprised me the most? That I make money from this! Sometimes i wake up on a Monday and I still get excited that I don't have to go to “Work” as comedy is my job now. What’s surprised me, probably the amount of incredible talent that is on the circuit that is still unknown to a lot of people.
Interview continues here.
