One of the many, many, many comedians currently gigging like their lives depend on it up at the Edinburgh Fringe, 25 year old Chris Ramsey is well on the right tracks to comedic stardom.
After appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and Russell Howard’s Good News, supporting Al Murray and Russell Kane on tour as well as a sell-out debut at last year’s Fringe he’s back with his new show ‘Offermation’. Comedy Central snagged him for 5 mins to talk about touring with the big guns, what he’d pitch in the Dragon’s Den and Hitler’s ball(s)…?
Hello! You’re a week into Edinburgh now, how’s it all going?
Hello! It’s going well, it’s raining constantly which is doing my head in, but I brought my Xbox so I’m fine… shows are going well too by the way.
In a nutshell, what’s your show Offermation all about?
It’s about communication, how much of it we have and how it’s filled with useless information. (‘Offermation’ is not a word I use by the way, I just heard it once)
What made you make the move into stand-up comedy?
I just fell into it really. My mate was doing an open mic night and I went along to watch. Thought I liked the look of it, got up a month later for myself and before long people were paying me to do it… the idiots!
What did you learn while on the road supporting Russell Kane and Al Murray?
I learnt that High Wycombe and Wimborne are not the same place and thusly, when you go to one by mistake for a gig it takes a shit of a long time to get to the other.
Have you ever started a conversation with an audience member and immediately regretted it?
It can happen, you try a bit of banter and realise you have picked the nutter of the group, and he looked so normal!
What’s been your most humiliating experience?
I was once asked a load of stupid questions for Comedy Central or something… bloody outrageous.
When was the last time you laughed ‘til you nearly peed?
Me and my mate (and the director of my show) Jason Cook sat in his flat the other day playing on Black Ops Zombies and making up songs about random stuff. I couldn’t breathe… you had to be there.
Who are your biggest comedy influences?
Billy Connolly, Lee Evans, Russell Kane.
If you could pitch anything in the Dragon’s Den what would it be?
I’m furious about this. Years ago I had an amazing idea of putting spirits and mixers in a can together and selling them, like Jack and coke, Vodka and Coke etc… and I just recently saw them in the shops. I remember telling my business studies teacher at college about it and he said “Na, that’ll never work”… he’s probably making a fortune of it now.
If you could ask anyone from history any question and they had to tell the truth who would you choose and what would you ask?
Hitler: How many balls do you have?
For you, what’s the best thing about the Edinburgh Fringe?
Getting to perform every night to people who have paid specifically to see me. It’s very exciting and humbling at the same time. I love it.
What advice would you give to the first-time Edinburgh Fringe go-er?
Bring a rain coat, some shoes you can walk far in, stay away from the Royal Mile, and come to my show.
Chris Ramsey will be performing Offermation at the Pleasance Courtyard, 9.50pm throughout August. Visit: www.edinburghsbestcomedy.com or www.chrisramseycomedy.com
