Tell me a little more about your show and what audiences can expect?
To get flipped inside out and held at the same time.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your work, both in terms of creation and performance?
It’s definitely been influenced by 90s/ 2000s cartoons in terms of escalation. I recently watched Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace which has all these incredible act outs in it that looked stupid cool [and] fun to perform. They’re excellent injections of something else throughout the show and add a whole new layer, so I thought yeah cool lets have fun like he’s having fun I think.
Also from my director Abby Wambaugh, if you’ve seen Abby’s show you’ll know it’s full of heart and so silly and clever but it’s her all the way. Abby’s helped me do the same for myself in how I’ve approached making the show.
What would you like audiences to take away from seeing you at the Fringe?
I’d like for them to be fully immersed for the hour and not for one minute, not even one SECOND, think about their phone, not even one time, apart from when I reference being on my phone but, it won’t make them wish they had theirs, it’ll just make them think- ‘hey, I recognise that, I know what she’s referencing there. I get this joke and it’s making me relate.’
Also I want them to remember that life’s wonders still exist even if, up until now you’ve felt half dead inside. We can do anything we want actually.
What do you do to relax in August?
The Edinburgh Fringe every single night apart from the 17th and eat pasta. Not in that order.
Why are arts festivals such as the Fringe so important for international exchange?
People come from all over, it’s great to have so many cultures in one place all interested in the same thing. It’s an automatic connection with people through something we’re all passionate about. It’s nice to feel that.
What can the wider arts community do to get more people involved in their specific disciplines?
Offer more funding and make these spaces less expensive and more accessible for everyone to perform.
Have you got your eye on any other shows that are part of the programme?
Yeah; loads. Jonathon Oldfield, I kicked him in the shin once when I was a kid so I have to mention him everywhere to make up for it. Harriet Dyer, Sarah Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Dom McGovern, Dane Buckley, Sam Eley, Basil Crumbwick, Aalex Mandel- Dallal, Zoe Brownstone, Roger O’Sullivan, Em Humble. There’s so many. I have my eye on all of them, mark my words. I can’t sleep a wink.
What’s next for you and how are you feeling about the future in general?
I think it’s gonna be good. After David Attenborough dies, we bring him back to life with DNA we find in fossils and make David Attenborough National Park like Jurassic Park only instead of dinosaurs; it’s a load of Davids, all different sizes flying and galloping across the terrain. People are really up for it. It’s a good time.
How can Edinburgh audiences keep up with you beyond the festival?
You can follow me on instagram @martygleeson_
Marty Gleeson: Dog Ear, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 Aug, 7.15pm