#EdFringe17 Comedy Q&A: Mark Nelson

Mark Nelson writes, “Irreverence is a man onstage trying to be funny as he can for an hour. No gimmicks, no lessons. Just a man, a mic and jokes.” We fired over a Q&A to get more info.

Stand up comics who are at the top of their game are the most amazing thing to watch. I aspire to even come close.

Hi Mark, tell me about your show.

My show is a deep introspective examination of the relationship between a Father and Son.

What does Edinburgh mean to you?

To be honest it means an unbelievable amount of stress beforehand and then a lot of fun during.

Who inspires you and why?

Stand up comics who are at the top of their game are the most amazing thing to watch. I aspire to even come close.

Describe your best or worst experiences on stage.

Best was supporting Jim Jefferies at Barrowlands in Glasgow. I have seen so many bands there. To do that same stage was a dream come true.

Worst experience - Bathgate

Describe your best or worst review.

My best review ever recognised I was just a guy trying to be funny. Only time a reviewer has understood what I am trying to do.

If you weren’t a performer, what would you be?

I always wanted to write films so probably that

What was the last book you read?

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Imagine that the BBC have asked you to produce a primetime show. What would it be and who else would be involved?

A topical show with the freedom American comics are allowed. Involved would be all of the comedians I adore.

Twitter: @marknelsoncomic

© 2017 On the Mic.

Related Listings

Mark Nelson: Irreverence

Mark Nelson: Irreverence

Mark Nelson is an old-fashioned stand-up: disarmingly likeable, astoundingly at ease, a master of audience interaction. A raucous Saturday night crowd, armed with drunken repartee, was no match for Nelson, who humoured hecklers with such a calm intelligence you might have thought he was dealing with sleep-deprived toddlers trying to derail his grown-up dinner party, save for the uproarious laughter which followed every interaction... 

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