Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Olaf Falafel: ‘The underlying message is to embrace your silliness’

An Edinburgh Fringe veteran, Olaf Falafel packs gags, absurdity and a dollop of madness into his shows.

A regular on lists of the top jokes from the Fringe, his latest show Look What Fell Out Of My Head will be crammed full of them when he brings it to this year’s festival.

Also expect plenty of the daft audience participation that his fans have come to love…

How are you feeling ahead of the Fringe?

I always feel unready and apprehensive but that soon goes when I smell the Scottish air.

Did you enjoy your festival experience last year?

I loved it, probably my favourite to date – loads of great audiences in both my grown up and family shows plus I got TWO of my jokes in Dave’s top ten jokes list!

What is your show about, and what inspired it?

Last year’s show was all about my dead cat being a good role model – this year’s show is literally a collection of the things that have come out of my head – the underlying message is to embrace your silliness.

How big a part does audience participation play in your work?

I always like to get my audience involved and hopefully in a way where they don’t feel picked-on but more part of the fun. This year we have a pass-the-parcel for feelings, a live colonoscopy and a unique audience orchestra.

How much are you looking forward to bringing back Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show this year?

That was one of the highlights of last year for me – so many comedians with kids came along and the word quickly spread. I’m doing it again but I’ve added loads of new stuff.

What have you added to make it 20% more stupider?

I don’t want to spoil it too much (You’ll have to come along to see for yourself) but there is a big musical finale, a shy horse, lots of extra fart-based content and an opinionated blackbird.

What are your favourite memories from the festival?

I just love going to watch things that I wouldn’t normally see – circus and dance are two favourites. My kids have been coming up to the festival for the last 8 years and it’s been great to watch their tastes evolve too – they are now really getting into their comedy!

If you were put in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

Subsidised accommodation and teleportation.

How would you describe how you feel when your walk on music hits and you take a step out onto the stage?

It’s an out of body experience – I become someone else (literally).

Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the Fringe?

Mark Silcox – he’s had a cameo in every single show I’ve done and is one of the funniest and kindest comedians I know.

What’s your favourite one-liner?

I like Stewart Francis’s “Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?”

Who’d be your dream…

Podcast co-host / guest

Steve Carell but only in character as Michael Scott from the US Office

Karaoke duetter

Vic Reeves

Wrestling tag team partner

Lizzo

Comedian to split an hour with

Michael Stranney – we’d did our first hour-long show together called ‘Expect The Unexporcupine’ and I’d love to drag him out of retirement to get the band back together.

Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell Out Of My Head, Laughing Horse at the Pear Tree @ 3pm, 4-28 Aug (not 16). Tickets here.