Scott Capurro should put "causing controversy since 1994" on his posters. Ever since the San Francisco comedian won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer prize that year he has been known for taking no prisoners when it comes to his subject matter. Whether talking about AIDS or the holocaust or anything else really he has a distinctive, witty take on the subject. This year he is talking about rich friends, worthy yoga and the miseries of home ownership. The subjects might sound like he is mellowing, but this is a man who could start WW3 with a remark about the downward dog. Go see but stand well back and wear a tin helmet.
The Trouble with Scott Capurro: 2 – 26 August (not 14th or 21st), 9.20pm, Heroes @ Boteco – 47 Lothian St. Buy a £5 ticket in advance to guarantee entry or Pay What You Want at the venue. Info & tickets here.
Picture: Steve Best
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)?
I peruse the front row for friendly, focused faces. It’s to those peeps I’ll direct my vitriol.
2. What irritates you?
Sour talk about other comedians. We’re all our own toughest critics, so let’s leave our colleagues (and our parents) out of this constant internal conversation.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I went on Grindr in Doha. Everyone warned me it was a government plot and they’d chop off my head. But I’m still here.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Aside from supporting the Green Party and taking growth hormone? Must’ve been when I asked an ageing audience member, who was on her own, “Are all your friends dead?” She said, “No, but my son is. I’m attending his funeral in the morning. He died of AIDS.” Hard to win the crowd back after that.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
That I have a career in comedy. I trained as an actor, so I agreed to do a solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1994 because I thought Scottish men were pretty.
Had no intention of spending most of my adult life at a Travelodge. Am now addicted to cheap biscuits.
Interview continues here.
