Why is the story of your show an important one to tell?
Most of us feel a deep urge to create a better world around us. At the core, we’re wondering: How can we live in paradise? As a Swiss person, I’m privileged to live in what many would call paradise – but even paradise can sometimes feel like hell. And living there doesn’t mean you’re happy. So I’ll try to discover how we can create our own version of paradise, no matter where we are. This might sound like sharing an absurd Swiss superpower. And since Switzerland isn’t a superpower, it could be quite funny.
Tell me more about your show and what audiences can expect?
Expectations? [Laughs] I’m uncovering some surprising facts about Switzerland that most people have never heard of. Maybe they’ll give you some inspiration. Besides that, I tell a short story about attending a meditation retreat, where I meditated in complete silence for three weeks. During an experience like that, so many unexpected things happen within ourselves – a vast inner universe starts to unfold. One of the main goals is learning to let go of expectations, which I found incredibly tough. That’s why I laughed at your question. So, I’d ask you to expect nothing – except for a Swiss guy sharing his thoughts on how to live a life that’s not very neutral.
What’s one piece of advice someone has given you for your first time at the Fringe?
I think I’ll stick to my grandpa’s advice: “Michael, do it for yourself”. So far, I’ve had so much fun creating this hour of comedy – especially in a language that isn’t my mother tongue. When we speak another language, we take on a different persona. It’s a fascinating gift. I’m discovering so many new sides of myself – and it’s making me do comedy in a way I’ve never done before.
If you reviewed your own show, how would you describe it?
A Swiss comedian reveals his secret to living in paradise – it’s a bit like handing out red passports to a new state of mind. He does it by poking fun at his own upbringing in a conservative Catholic village while coming to terms with the fact that he might be queer. He shows how having materially everything in paradise Switzerland – without acceptance, even paradise can feel terrible. With his unique perspective and spot-on impressions he empowers us all. As he likes to quote: ‘We’re not to blame for the state of the world, but we are to blame if it stays that way.’
Do you tend to take inspiration from events happening in the world around you?
I guess my brain works like a giant sponge: I’m constantly soaking up everything around me. It could be a comment from a Scottish politician about her husband’s finances, a national “grievance machine“, or how my barefooted neighbour carries a fridge up the staircase – without a hint of grievance. I like to connect politically relevant topics with everyday life. There will always be bad news, from the global to the personal level – I’m trying to find my own way to deal with it: by finding some humour in it. By cutting straight to a punchline, I’m revealing what truly lies beneath the surface. That way, humour gratifies me with more serenity.
How can Edinburgh audiences keep up with you beyond the festival?
You can find short comedy clips in English on my Instagram and YouTube. In 2026, I’ll be spending some time living in London – so you’ll definitely catch me performing in comedy clubs around the city. And if you’re thinking about moving to paradise Switzerland, I’ve got you covered. Over the past few years, I’ve produced hours of comedy you could watch to prepare yourself to understand Swiss German. My language sounds a bit like a kid speaking gibberish. You can travel anywhere, talk freely, and no one ever understands you. Although, to be fair, the Scots have that advantage too.
Michael Elsener: How to Live in Paradise, 1-21 Aug (not 11), Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower, 8.20pm