If you reviewed your own show, how would you describe it?
Looking at the actors on the poster outside the cinema –John Travolta, William H Macy, Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence – triggers a kind of awestruck anticipation. They are four faces on a Mount Rushmore of rubbishness. Which one of these Hollywood middleweights is going to be the most utterly abysmal? Which is going to phone in the most inept performance? It’s like King Kong versus Godzilla versus Alien versus Predator: all four creatures lined up on the starting blocks for the 100m Terrible Acting event.
No sorry my mistake, that’s a 1 star review of the 2007 film Wild Hogs.
Tell me a little more about your show and what audiences can expect?
I play quite a few different guys in it. It’s kind of an amazing show about people I’ve met or seen, and then I’ve changed them a bit – in order to make them funnier. Except for one guy who is exactly like when I met him, people can try to figure out who that one is. Audiences can expect a number of accents and the fun bit is they get to decide if I’m allowed to do them or not – I’m leaving it up to them!
Can you talk about some of the creative team involved?
The show is directed by Dan Bishop. We met at a support group for men experiencing pornography withdrawal. I’ve also been really helped with some of the physical comedy by the brilliant comedian Josh Glanc. He’s from Australia which is a region south of the equator. My grandma told me on the phone the other day there should be less stuff about ‘willies’ in it and I didn’t listen to her.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your work, both in terms of creation and performance?
I find inspiration all around me. On my phone. On my computer. On other people’s phones on the bus. Performance wise I’m looking at weird people I see on my phone again.
Looking at this production, how would you say it links to previous work personally and thematically?
This will be my first time ever performing live.
Why is this an important story to tell?
I truly believe that if all evil people came to my show it would make them not evil anymore. I also really want to be on TV.
What would you like audiences to take away from seeing you at the Fringe?
I want them to tell people that it’s not their usual sort of thing but they liked it, but that they wouldn’t hurry back.
Do you tend to take inspiration from events happening in the world around you in terms of your work? Do you think artists have a responsibility to respond to what’s happening?
I try not to get involved in politics. I am so stupid. I think you should only talk about something or have an opinion if you’re absolutely sure you’re not stupid.
What do you do to relax in August?
Sometimes when it all gets too much I like to head to Oxford Street in London and stand in the way of tourists looking at my phone. See how they like it.
How do you feel about the current arts landscape in your country and your part in it? Does it excite you and inspire you to keep pushing the boat out?
If they stop making Taskmaster before I get my shot I’ll kill myself.
Why are arts festivals such as the Fringe so important for international exchange?
Where else can you meet people from some of the most affluent suburbs of London, Sydney and New York. It’s a melting pot of people whose parents are on the board of several production companies and/or merchant banks.
What can the wider arts community do to get more people involved in their specific disciplines?
I’m not part of the arts community. I mostly hang out with some steampunk goths at Euston train station.
Have you got your eye on any other shows that are part of the programme?
Uh oh! YES. Target Audience. Rockpools. Rory Marshall. Freddie Meredith. Rohan Sharma. Em Humble. Emmeline Downie. Dom McGovern. Maia Tassalini. Josh Glanc. Marty Gleeson. Ele McKenzie. Basil Crumbwick.
What’s next for you and how are you feeling about the future in general?
After the Fringe is over I’m going to have to have a serious think about whether this is a viable career for me.
How can Edinburgh audiences keep up with you beyond the festival?
@robpreston_comedy on Instagram and TikTok, thank you.
Anything else?
I’m sorry about everything
Rob Preston: Amazing Global Solutions, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 Aug, 8.20pm