Chris Grace is performing in three shows this Fringe: Chris Grace As Scarlett Johannson; Shamilton and Baby Wants Candy all at Assembly George Square. We caught up with him before his packed season begins with a few quick questions.
I have no one to blame if things go wrong
You've been to the Fringe many times now - does it feel any different bringing a solo show to the festival?
Absolutely because I have no one to blame if things go wrong; on the other hand, I will soak up all of the adulation solely as my own and I shall allow no credit to go to my producers, directors, supporters, friends, family or fans. And my ego will be totally fine and manageably healthy!
Are you more nervous or more relaxed this year?
I'm weirdly relaxed at this point in time but ask me right before I go on at the first preview. Or actually, don't, you shouldn't be backstage with me at that time, it's kind of awkward.
You have broken into TV in the last couple of years - do you find people are starting to recognise you at the festival?
Yes, especially since Atypical and Superstore came out on Netflix in the UK, I'm stopped fairly regularly at the festival which is a great time to hand them a flyer for my show. It's nice having people come to me instead of me chasing them into dark alleys to force a leaflet into their hands.
If Scarlett Johansson took notes during one of the rehearsals, what would she say to you?
"Too sexy, this makes me look bad".
As improvised musicals, Baby Wants Candy and Shamilton must be extremely challenging - how do you keep the energy fresh for a whole month?
I actually don't find them energy-sapping at all; I get to do improv with my friends in one of the funniest shows at the Fringe and I find those shows to be completely re-energizing and they are vital to my Fringe success!
Can you tell us any particularly funny moments that have happened during the improv shows over the years?
My first year, at the end of the month, we were in a show about an Edinburgh ghost tour, and because of the storyline one song kept repeating over and over and over ad nauseum. In the last scene, Dan was on the piano and when the song started I pulled out the cables from the back of his keyboard. That finally stopped the song from reprising!
Where has been your favourite place to perform so far?
One of my favourites was post-Fringe one year when we performed in Reykjavik to an enthusiastic crowd, and then we saw the Aurora Borealis and the next day soaked in the Blue Lagoon. Pretty ideal.
And where would be your 'Yes! I've made it' venue to perform?
If I got to perform the Scarlett show on Broadway that would be pretty incredible!
Finally, if there is one thing you could do this Fringe that you've never done before, what would it be?
It's a toss-up between ending racism and finally going to that Camera Obscura optical illusion museum. I'll get one of them down by the 28th.
