Having won the BBC New Comedy Award for 2023 at the final at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre last year, Joe Kent-Walters’ Edinburgh Fringe debut is eagerly anticipated.
In his show he introduces the audience to the character of Frankie Monroe, the owner and MC of The Misty Moon – a working men’s club in Rotherham that is also a portal to hell.
The club is under threat, dark forces and dirty deeds linger in the shadows and it’s up to Frankie to stop his beloved working men’s club from falling into oblivion.
Here, Joe answers our festival questions…
How are you feeling ahead of making your Fringe debut?
So excited! Like a lot of debuts I’ve been building up to this first hour for years.
What’s your show all about?
It’s about a working men’s club in Rotherham that is also a portal to hell. I play Frankie Monroe, an old school end of the pier act who has made a deal with the devil to keep his club going. It’s a big daft love letter to variety entertainment in a surreal package. Phoenix Nights meets The Mighty Boosh.
How did Frankie Monroe come to life?
Nobody knows! I heard that he emerged from the cavity of an empty fruit machine.
How was the experience of winning the 2023 BBC New Comedy Award?
Incredible! It was the best gig I’ve ever done and completely changed my life.
If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?
Take away the financial pressures!! It’s gotten out of control and just makes this industry even more dominated by people who come from money. Also, maybe a mascot – ferret in a top hat or something like that.
How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?
Oh yeah amazing! I love the Fringe. I first went in 2017 in a university play and that is when I fell in love with comedy and decided that is what I wanted to do with my life. Since then I’ve done loads of bits at the Fringe; flyering, working as a tech and going up as a part of my double act The Lovely Boys.
What essential item are you packing to survive a month at the Fringe?
Nintendo Switch! I got it recently as I was starting to get fed up with all the travelling I was doing and needed something to kill the boredom. It’s going to be a lifesaver at the Fringe. If I get a bad review I can just hang out with Mario till I feel better.
Who’d be your dream: podcast guest / co-host, wrestling tag team partner, comedian to split a bill with
I’m gonna go with Frank Sidebottom, obviously he’s dead now but he is one of my biggest comedy heroes!
Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?
Too many to choose from, there as so many good things on the weirder end of the comedy spectrum. If I had to pick one it would be Freddie Hayes as The Magic Lady, a surreal parody of the old school magician – it’s genius!
Joe Kent-Walters will be performing his debut show, ‘Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe LIVE!!!’, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 29th July – 25th August (23:25), at Monkey Barrel 2 – tickets on sale now
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe