FRINGE - Eddie Ifft

Fri 27th Feb, 2009 in Features

Eddie Ifft returns to spearhead Best Of The Edinburgh Fest showcasing the hottest new comedy talent. The 2009 line-up includes Eddie Ifft (USA) a welcome, return visitor to our fair shores and who will be headlining the extravaganza plus special guests, Jason Cook (UK – Geordie) and Jarlath Regan (Ireland). Eddie Ifft completes a short Q&A for Fasterlouder as the Fringe Festival fast approaches.

Being on a line up such as the Best of The Edinburgh Fest is there much competition or rivalry between comedians? “Absolutely, this thing is more intense than the Olympics. When we get on stage we are representing our individual countries and if we don’t get the most amount of laughs than it’s off to the sweatshops.”

Is it hard work being on tour or is it like a holiday? “Depends on where I am performing. I have done shows in South Africa where all day long we would go surfing and to wineries and hang gliding and that was a lot of work. Then there were other times that I was booked into a comedy club that was part of a strip club and that was a holiday.”

Is Adelaide as bad as what most people say about the place? “I actually love Adelaide. I think the comedy community in Adelaide is a lot more savvy than most parts of the world because of the amount of comedy that goes on in Adelaide in relation to its size. I only wish the beaches were a little closer. Maybe global warming will help things.”

What makes a good show for you? “It depends on where I am and what the crowd is like. I set the bar depending on the crowd. Some nights I won’t be happy unless I get a standing ovation and other nights I want to get to my car without being tackled or stabbed.”

What has been the most embarrassing moment for you on stage? “I met a girl in Newcastle, England once and we dated for a bit (you interpret that how you like) anyway, about a year later she showed up in the audience at my show in Manchester, England and I had forgot her name. I asked the emcee of the show to casually find out her name before he brought me on stage. So he went on stage and said, “Excuse me, what is your name? The next comedian coming on stage wants to know.”

How did you get into comedy? “I got fired from everything else and I would just sit home and make prank phone calls to radio stations. One of the DJ’s thought I was funny and got me a spot on an open mic night.”

Can you recall your lucky break? “I will tell you when it happens.”

Any words of encouragement for those looking to get in to comedy? “I usually would say don’t because it is a long hard road, but with this economy, so is everything else. So just be funny.”

What is your show about? “It’s about breaking rules. All the laws and regulations that we have in life are just put in place to put order to chaos. Too much order is not good though. Look what it did for Nazi Germany. It’s about that and poop.”

Do you have a good joke you’d like to share with the on-line community? “I would like to but with the new filters your government is putting on the internet, it might get your website shut down.”

Show Details for Eddie Ifft:

Best of the Edinburgh Fest
The Gov, 59 Port Road, Hindmarsh
7.45pm each night (no Mondays)

And

Best of the Fest – Late Show
The Gov, 59 Port Road, Hindmarsh
Every Fri & Sat night of the Fringe
Doors open from 10.00pm

Book on the Fringetix Website or call 1300FRINGE (1300 374 643).