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Grainne Maguire – 10 Edinburgh questions

Thursday, July 26 2012

It's up there with the best titles of the Fringe this year – what else can cheery Irish stand-up Grainne Maguire tell us about her show?


Grainne Maguire

1. What is your show about?
It is about being paranoid that absolutely everyone in the entire world is having a better time than you. Behind. Your. Back.

2. Describe it in 3 words.
What the what?!

3. What is your favourite part of the show?
I talk about having a poster of Tony Blair in my school locker as a teenager. The look of complete incomprehension and horror from the audience is, ironically a sight the man himself probably experiences a lot now too. It’s like the universe is bringing us together.

4. Complete this sentence: if you like ... IRISH FEMALE COMEDIANS WHO HAVE TWO SISTERS AND ARE FROM NAVAN ... then, hell, you might just like my show.

5. If your show were a dog, what type of dog would it be?
I would be that scrappy, mangy, three-legged mutt at the dogs home that no one wants. I win you over through sheer desperation and force of character, teaching you valuable life lessons about taking a chance on life and being yourself, before dying tragically, leaving you changed, happier and ready to love again.

6. If you could change one thing about the Fringe, what would it be?
If reviewers saw a show and really hated, they would just choose to not review it.

7. Name 3 other shows you'd recommend seeing.
Lou Saunders, Catie Wilkins and Holly Burn.

8. What would you be doing this summer if you weren't in Edinburgh?
Winning gold for Ireland in the 800 metres. It was either that or Edinburgh and like a fool I told my coach no.

9. When do you do your best writing?
I set my alarm clock at 6am every morning and get a good two hours writing before I start the day. Then I hit the gym. I’m just really ON IT.

10. Have you ever climbed Arthur's Seat
Yes. The first time I climbed it I didn't know there was a path. I just attacked it from a random angle and genuinely nearly died during the ascent. I arrived at the top a gasping, bedraggled mess only to discover a load of relaxed tourists who had just meandered up. Bastards.


Maguire. On stage ...



• Grainne Maguire – Where Are All the Fun Places and Are Lots of People There Having Better Fun? is on at 4.20pm at the Underbelly

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