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.
-
Gay, narcissistic and kinky – Batman as you always suspected him to be
-
Min-Jin Kym 'elated' after stolen 300-year-old Stradivarius violin worth £1.2m recovered
-
Reginald D Hunter: The controversial comedian on sex, 'Star Trek' and why he moved to Britain
-
Heads Up: Downton Abbey Series 4
-
Meet the Doctor: Peter Capaldi revealed as next Time Lord in Doctor Who
- 1 Is the Muslim call to prayer really such a menace?
- 2 Channel 4 to 'provoke' viewers who associate Islam with terrorism with live call to prayer during Ramadan
- 3 US army doctor returns arm to Vietnamese soldier fifty years after he took it as a souvenir
- 4 Police seize possessions of rough sleepers in crackdown on homelessness
- 5 Demand for food banks has nothing to do with benefits squeeze, says Work minister Lord Freud
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Win a three-night weekend break for two in Stockholm
Hesperus Press are offering the chance to win a three-night weekend away for two to Stockholm.
Summer food reader survey
Take our grocery shopping survey for your chance to win a £100 M&S store gift card.
See Norway’s spectacular coastline
There is no finer way to discover and explore the dramatic Norwegian coastline than aboard an authentic Hurtigruten cruise.
Where's Wallonia?
War and peace: history revisited in the cities of Southern Belgium - a travel guide in association with the Belgian Tourist Office.
Win first-class inter-rail passes
Win first-class rail passes to explore the sights and sounds of Europe with redspottedhanky.com.
Celebrate the joy of reading with NOOK®
You can buy a NOOK Simple Touch Glowlight at £69, or the NOOK HD 8GB Tablet for just £99 - until 3 September.
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.
Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase
The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history
Funny business: Meet the women running comedy
DJ Taylor: Who stole the people's own culture?
Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday
Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?
Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'
Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes








