Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Steve Bugeja

Now something of a veteran of the Fringe, stand-up Steve Bugeja is back this year with his latest show, Shiny.

The star and co-creator of ITV2 series Buffering tells the tale of achieving his dream of making the sitcom with his best friend, Iain Stirling, and whether or not the experience was all worth it.

Here, he answers our festival Q&A…

How are you feeling ahead of this year’s Fringe?

I’m really looking forward to it. The Fringe is my favourite time of the year and I haven’t been this excited about one of my shows in years. I’m also overdue my fix of Red Box noodles and City Cafe breakfasts.

What’s your show all about this time?

My new show Shiny is all about chasing, and achieving my dream of making a sitcom. I co-created two series of a sitcom called Buffering with my friend and Edinburgh boy Iain Stirling for ITV2. When I got into comedy making a sitcom was all I wanted to do, and now I’ve done it, it’s given me a completely fresh perspective on success and chasing your dreams. A perspective that’s shifted how I see success, failure and whether we should bother chasing our dreams at all. And that’s what the show explores.

Without spoiling too much of the show, how do you reflect on getting to make Buffering?

It was a literal dream come true. Even now it still doesn’t feel real that I got to do it. Going into a big TV studio where they filmed James Bond and Disney films, seeing hundreds of people working on something I’d written was incredible. Every day I’d sit behind the monitor with the director and watch brilliant actors bring my words to life. Then when it came out I got to go on 5 Live and talk about it, I watched The One Show trail it, I saw an advert for it after the England football match. It was ridiculous. But in all truth, like any career achievement, it’s still work. And sometimes work is boring and you can’t be bothered, even when you’re doing your dream job.

You’ve performed at the Fringe for many years, what keeps you coming back?

It’s the only place where I feel completely creatively free. The Fringe audiences are so open to different types of show, it makes performing there the most fulfilling part of being a comedian. Also being surrounded by other brilliant performers is so inspiring. Plus as previously mentioned, I really love Red Box noodles and City Cafe.

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

Make accommodation more affordable. Make accommodation more affordable. And make accommodation more affordable.

What’s your favourite spot to visit during the Fringe?

Red Box noodles, City Cafe, and just to throw a non-food one in there, I love going for a stroll around Agassiz Rock.

How have your previous experiences of the Fringe been?

I’ve been up to the Fringe most years since 2012. It’s a cornerstone of my year. And I’ve had some of my happiest memories in Edinburgh, but also some of my biggest lows. I think it’s a festival of heightened emotions and extremes. Probably deeply unhealthy, but I keep coming back so…

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

Ear plugs. Not just for sleeping, just to walk along the Royal Mile sometimes.

Who’s be your dream podcast guest?

I think Sarah Kendall is brilliant. She has produced some of my absolutely favourite shows, where I laugh and cry in equal measure. So I’d love to chat with her about story structure, and comedy, and probably just let her make me cry.

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

I mean loads of people, and because my show is at 1:35pm every day I can actually go see most of them this year! But to name some, Rob Auton, Katie Norris and Sarah Keyworth.

Steve Bugeja brings his brand new show, Shiny, to Monkey Barrel, The Tron as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 29th July – 25th August (excl 14th) at 1.35pm. For more info and tickets, visit stevebugeja.com