Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Pierre Novellie: ‘Could comedians lodge with kindly grandmas?’

Award-winning comedian and Fringe regular Pierre Novellie brings his latest hour to this year’s festival, asking Why Are You Laughing?

Among the topics covered in a show (described as observational comedy for people who think they don’t like observational comedy) are UK drinking culture, why he’s decided to lie to people from now on and how a dog stopped him learning the saxophone.

He also explores how being diagnosed with Asperger’s last year has changed his life and his comedy career.

How are you feeling ahead of the Fringe?

Due to a Covid-delayed family trip I’ll be coming straight to Edinburgh from the South African bush so I’m expecting to be cold.

Did you enjoy your festival experience last year?

I did! It was a smaller Fringe, not recovered from the pandemic, so it was tough to get crowds for almost everyone. I did okay though, so I felt like the guy who makes it through the apocalypse movie.

What is your show about, and what inspired it?

It’s about what exactly audiences are laughing at when they laugh at a stand-up and why. It’s mainly just some routines I’m really pleased with, though, so don’t worry that it’s all blah blah and no ha ha.

Has your Asperger’s diagnosis changed the way you look at comedy?

That’s also what the show’s about! Perfect question and the answer will be at the Monkey Barrel at 7:05pm every night.

You co-host BudPod with Phil Wang, how much do you enjoy doing the podcast?

Phil and I have been friends since late 2009 when we met at uni so it feels great to be able to riff with someone I know so well. The listeners are an elite bunch too.

© Matt Stronge

What are your favourite memories from the festival?

I’ve lived in Edinburgh for just over a year now, via festivals, and the best memories generally involve meeting lifelong friends and eating very well. Some nice career stuff, too.

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

I don’t begrudge people wanting to make serious money off the festival but the rent this year for a three bed student flat near the meadows is around £7,500 for the month.

Could comedians lodge with kindly grandmas? Sure, as long as grandma is okay with drunk clowns wandering in at 3am every night for twenty-seven nights making toasties.

I reckon I’d limit the rent gouging to only triple what the place was going for monthly the rest of the year when it was for students.

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

Utterly, eerily calm. The adrenaline spike hits you just before that happens, having been climbing like a jet pulling out of a dive during the minute or so leading up to it.

That’s the main reason not to talk to a comedian right before they go out – they’re not there.

You finally get a poster reveal, well done you

Designed by my extremely talented grand vizier @_Mish and the team at @avalonent, photo by @TheMattStronge

See you in August at @BarrelComedy 7:05pm every night! pic.twitter.com/7VwqNtS8V5

— Pierre Novellie (@pierrenovellie) July 21, 2023

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

Garrett Millerick, Amy Matthews, Ahir Shah, Lulu Popplewell and Johnny White Really-Really are all must-see comedians in my book.

What’s your favourite one-liner?

Anything by Spike Milligan!

Who’d be your dream…

Podcast co-host / guest

Adam Buxton – he’s the platonic ideal of podcast and radio.

Karaoke duetter

Tom Waits

Wrestling tag team partner

Princess Anne

Comedian to split an hour with

Jerry Seinfeld – I’m obsessed with his mind and his methods.

Pierre Novellie will be bringing his brand new show, Why Are You Laughing?, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 2nd – 27th August (7.05pm) at Monkey Barrel, Three. For tickets and more info visit www.pierrenovellie.com