Hello, what’s your name, and what on earth are you going to be doing in Edinburgh this August?
My name is Phil Walker and I will be performing my Edinburgh festival debut one-man stand-up comedy show called Is this it?
Tell us more about your show...
My show is an hour’s stand-up with me talking about my life and career that has so far taken me from comedy club gigs to entertaining the troops in Afghanistan, and even as far as The Falkland Islands!
How are you preparing for your marathon Fringe run?
I am currently on a fitness regime trying to boost my immune system because the last thing you want during a long run of shows is to feel ill. So I’m trying to cut back on alcohol as much as I can, even though I know it will be a huge temptation during the festival!
Food and/or drink – what do you take to keep you going through the madness?
I have recently got into cooking (I am obsessed with Come Dine With Me) so will try to eat as healthy as I can. Also I’m a big Berocca fan, I just love seeing my pee glow bright orange.
London’s taken some of the hype with the Olympics this year – what do you think is the best way for Edinburgh to grab it back?
I think Edinburgh for a comic is like the comedy Olympics, there will be winners and losers, some tears and a lot of chaffed nipples.
Also it’s a great place for people who love seeing live performances to go as there is always something going on at any time of day or night whether it be comedians or actors or musicians & all within the beautiful city of Edinburgh. What more could one want?
If you’ve been before, what’s your favourite part of the Edinburgh festivals?
I think my favourite part is seeing an act you’ve never heard of and they turn out to be a great surprise. I saw Tim Minchin before he got famous there and was blown away, so you never know. As well as seeing their favourite acts its important for people to go see a couple of shows they are not aware of as that’s what a festival is all about.
What would be your biggest piece of advice to any performers coming to Edinburgh for the first time?
Well this is my first time! (Although I was in the final of the Wilkinson Sword cutting edge of comedy in 2002.) I loved that time I spent there & tried to see as many other shows as I could as you can learn so much watching other acts in that environment. So get out there & have fun!
Whoever else are you most excited to see in Edinburgh this year?
I'm looking forward to seeing Alan Davies make his long-awaited return to stand-up as I was a big fan of his work in the nineties. Also I'd love to try to see Daniel Kitson as I've never seen him live.
What’s been your most memorable festival experience?
I think that has to be seeing my Dad (Roy Walker, yes him from the telly) do his one-man show a couple of years ago, it was magic.
Any favourite Scottish word/phrase?
I love the use of “by the way” in conversation (I think it’s a Glasgow thing?) as in, “That was crap, by the way!”
What would be your best tip for any punters coming to their first Fringe?
Go and see that Phil Walker, he’s hilarious and very handsome
And finally, when/where/how can we see your show?
The White Horse,The Back Room,266 Canongate (The Royal Mile) Edinburgh EH8 8AA. August 2- 26 at 8.30pm as part of the Laughing Horse free fringe. Entrance free (donation at the end). Find out more at laughinghorsecomedy.co.uk.
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