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Edinburgh Fringe Q&A: Olga Koch on bringing her chaotic romcom to the festival

© Matt StrongeOlga Koch
Olga Koch

A regular on our TV screens, Olga Koch is heading back to the Fringe this year with her latest show Just Friends.

The comedian, who lived in Russia and the US before hitting the UK comedy scene, promises a rollercoaster romcom that you aren’t tall enough to ride.

Here, she answers our questions ahead of the festival kicking off next month…

How are you feeling ahead of the Fringe?

Like I want to throw up. I’ve really missed this feeling.

What is your show all about, and what inspired it?

My show is a chaotic romcom inspired, like most of my oeuvre, by Stifler’s mom.

You have a degree in and have worked in computer science, what’s the science behind your stand-up?

To make the audience laugh, ideally.

Comedian Olga Koch on the science of stand-up and her love of TikTok

What put you on the path to a career in comedy?

Not being very good at computer science.

You spent childhood in Russia and moved to the US before coming to the UK, how has the experience of different cultures shaped the way you look at comedy?

Some things are universal and some are really really not (puns don’t work if you just translate the words! I learned that the hard way!)

What are your favourite memories of the Fringe?

Walking down the street and seeing familiar faces everywhere. It’s like the opening scene of a high school movie.

If you had to pick one item that’s essential for surviving a month at the Fringe, what would that be?

A poker face for running into your exes.

What do you think it is about the Edinburgh Fringe that attracts people from all around the world to come to watch and also to perform?

How every corner and nook of this beautiful city comes alive with laughter. And the macaroni pies.


Olga Koch: Just Friends, Monkey Barrel, Aug 2-28