Edinburgh Fringe is the largest and busiest Fringe Festival. In the run-up to this year’s, I have spoken to Phil Henderson about his upcoming show Space Cowboy.

How did you find your experience at the Fringe last year?

Last year’s Fringe was incredible – I did a split bill show called ‘Angles of the North’ in a tiny little back room of a pub. It wasn’t the most central location, and we had no marketing budget but somehow we managed to keep packing the place out each day which was so much fun although I wish we’d had aircon! It was a bit of a whirlwind but really enjoyable and I got to see some amazing shows myself in between flyering, performing and sleeping.

What is this years show called and what it is about?

This year’s show is my first solo show and is called ‘Phil Henderson: Space Cowboy’. It’s not particularly about space or cowboys but has a general themes about identity, masculinity and getting older – it’s a kind of sideways look at the modern world where I perform as a slightly more confused version of myself, but underneath all that it’s really just a lot of silly jokes.

What have you done since last year’s Fringe?

It’s been all go, after 4 years in London I’ve moved back to my home town of Newcastle with my partner and I became a father for the first time in November to the most amazing little boy in the world. It’s an incredible feeling and feels very grown up, especially compared to the parts of my life where I wear a cowboy hat and shout puns at strangers.

As you made it to No 11 last year in The Telegraph top jokes. Have you written one especially in the hope that you might beat your own record?

Fingers crossed! I certainly have a few that fit the bill for those kinds of silly jokes so I’ll be trying my best. It’s amazing to even get shortlisted for this kind of things, there must be literally a million good jokes flying around the fringe each year so to get on anyone’s radar feels great.

How have you found finding accommodation this year with the new rules and legislation in place?

Honestly for me it’s felt about the same, prices and demand are still very high. The last two years I’ve stayed out in Portobello and it’s lovely being out there away from madness of the centre but this year I’ve had to go even further afield to stay within my budget. I know at least one person who is commuting from Newcastle every day which certainly isn’t ideal

Name two things you love about this beautiful City, Edinburgh?

Only two?! I’m going to have to say the people first then architecture for the second. The City and its surroundings are so beautiful, there really isn’t anywhere like it. And the people are so friendly and up for a laugh, for a city where the population doubles for the entire month they are incredibly accommodating of everyone. Oh, and if I can pick a third it would be the haggis pie from Piemaker.

Where are you planning to take this show next?

So having previewed the show around the Northeast and London I’m planning to perform it again in both places in larger venues then hopefully around quite a few cities including Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. I’ll post dates on my Instagram as soon as they are confirmed.

How do you handle the pressure of performing at such a renowned festival like the Fringe?

The Fringe can be a bit intense, but I try to see it as a positive challenge. The whole place buzzes with creativity, which is super motivating. I make sure to balance work and rest, so I don’t burn out. The support from other performers and the audience’s energy keeps me going. Plus, everyone’s in the same boat, so there’s a real sense of camaraderie that helps a lot.

What advice would you give first-time performers going to the Fringe this year?

My biggest piece of advice is to embrace the chaos and go with the flow. The Fringe can be overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Make sure to network and connect with other performers – the community is one of the best parts of the festival. Also, don’t get disheartened if things don’t go perfectly; every show is a learning experience. And take some time to see other shows. There’s so much inspiration out there.

The all important question. Where and when are you performing your show this year?

I’ll be at The Bottle Room in The Mash House (Just the Tonic) from the 13th-25th August at 11:30 am, so a perfect way to start the day.

Thanks for taking time out to talk to me and good luck returning to the glorious chaos that is the Edinburgh Fringe. The link to Phil Henderson’s show can be found underneath.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/phil-henderson-space-cowboy