My Edinburgh: Ruby Wax, comedian
Related articles
Judith Owen and I have been performing in psychiatric hospitals for the past two years, which is not all that different from the Fringe. I have been to the Fringe twice before – once before my career took off and once about three years ago. The first thing I performed in was here in Edinburgh. It was a show directed by Alan Rickman and we had to go out and put up our own posters, because everyone else forgot. The producer had also forgotten to book the theatre, but the show went ahead anyway.
My most memorable moment was being in a tent with Michael Grade, who was then the head of Channel Four. We were getting ready for an interview which was to follow an African band who had got everybody on their feet. As it was three o'clock in the morning and we knew I was about to get booed off the stage, we started drinking a bottle of vodka. I just went on stage and started interviewing Michael. I can't remember what I said but I think it was fairly obscene. As soon as it was over they said I had a TV series. That's what great about Edinburgh; you never know what's going to happen.
There are so many shows worth seeing but one of my favourite spots is the Underbelly Abattoir members' bar, in Bristo Square. There's also some pretty interesting music downstairs at the restaurant and arts venue Henderson's. As for a top tip for surviving the Fringe - get up and leave if you think a show is crap – but don't let the actors see you. Always wear an invisibility cloak.
'Ruby Wax: Losing It', Udderbelly's Pasture (0131 623 3030) to 29 August
Ruby Wax's must-see
'Frisky and Mannish: Pop Centre Plus' at Udderbelly's Pasture is absolutely fantastic. I also really enjoyed Look Left Look Right's 'You Once Said Yes', an interactive theatre experience that has you walking around the city.
Arts & Ents blogs
The Fall ‘Darkness Visible’ – Series 1, episode 2
There is a good many moments in the second episode of this psychological thriller that deserve refle...
‘Vicious’ – Series 1, episode 4
The opening titles squeal ‘Never Can Say Goodbye…’. Oh Lord how I wish I could heave this series off...
Game of Thrones ‘Second Sons’ – Season 3, episode 8
Even though there was a complete absence of our favourite odd couple Brienne and Jaime, we got anoth...
Travel Shop
-
This is the end... Keyboard player of The Doors Ray Manzarek dies of cancer aged 74
-
'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
-
Coronation Street triumphs over EastEnders at British Soap Awards 2013
-
School-gate mums: Is 2013's Fifty Shades a novel by Gill Hornby called The Hive?
-
Arrested Development returns but can the new episodes on Netflix capture the show's deadpan glory days?
- 1 'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
- 2 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 3 After woman sells virginity for $780,000, here are the results of our prostitution survey
- 4 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
- 5 'It was just like the movie Twister': Man survives Oklahoma tornado by taking refuge in horse stall
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’
Why clubs are keen to take a stand





Comments