‘Seeing Scotland’s landscape has done more for my career than watching comedy’: Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Jin Hao Li

Born in China, raised in Singapore and educated at St Andrews in Scotland, Jin Hao Li brings his eagerly-anticipated debut show to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Swimming in a Submarine takes audiences on a whimsical journey through his childhood, his mandatory conscription in the Singaporean army, and an encounter with a seagull…

Here, he answers our festival Q&A.

How are you feeling ahead of making your Fringe debut?

I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope, and I can’t acknowledge either cheers or boos coming from below.

What’s your show all about?

I recall my biggest childhood dreams and worst nightmares.

You’ve spent a lot of your comedy career so far in Scotland, how has that shaped you?

There is a gig in Lower Largo, Fife called Red Cap Comedy, you can walk from backstage to the ocean in one minute and watch the waves beneath the afternoon moon. Two main feelings arose for me – that I am free and I owe it to myself to be the best version, and that I am super insignificant so I should try my best. Seeing Scotland’s landscape has done more for my career than watching comedy.

The Monkey Barrel green room was never scary to step into because the staff and acts are all lovely to my face and behind my back. I remember one time I bombed elsewhere in Edinburgh and went to MBC looking for solace. Mr. Stephen Buchanan was headlining that night, and watching a familiar routine in a familiar place made me feel like this job doesn’t have to be cutthroat.

You blend a lot of surreal elements into your stand-up, how did you find your comedy voice?

I don’t know you know, I really think this is just who I am, I don’t think a giraffe wants a long neck but they just do. My friend Iris says she sees traces of people I love in my work. I guess I found my voice by listening. Wow that’s good.

If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

I think we should be subjected to cleaning the streets for a day post Fringe.

What’s your favourite spot to visit in Edinburgh?

55°57’08.8″N 3°13’11.7″W

How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?

The first year with our Uni sketch group, I remember the smell of anxious sweat, like you can tell the sweat is anxious. We’d flyer for a whole day and get three people in. It was the best!

What essential item are you packing to survive a month at the Fringe?

My Bible and Quran. I don’t read either but it’s good to know there are answers out there.

Who’d be your dream:

Podcast guest

Frank Ocean

Wrestling tag team partner

Yao Ming

Comedian to split a bill with

Ellen DeGeneres (pranks only)

Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?

From my contacts: Olga, Celya, Erika, Dee, Katie, Katie, Amy, Amy, Amy, Will, Abby, Vlad, Derek, Cobin, Micky, Sam, 2 Muslim 2 Furious, Stuart Laws (London Comedy Circuit), John, Joe, Marjolein, Marc, Stuart, and all the magicians.

What question would you ask other comedians in a Q&A – and why?

Are you team Will or Chris, like I get that violence is seldom the answer but my wife is sick and he’s just embarrassed her in front of the world. This is the mother of my children, my life partner. Sure comedy is your art but what if my art is martial, then what do I not get to express myself? Let me know in the comments.

Jin Hao Li: Swimming in a Submarine, Pleasance Courtyard – Below, 7:10pm, July 31st, Aug 1st – 13th, 15th – 25th