Edinburgh Fringe Benefits

On standing up in multiple locations

Street-Selling

I recently spent a weekend at the Edinburgh Festival. It was the first time I’d been to the Fringe, both as a spectator and a performer.

I did my best to make the most of it, hawking books in the street while handing out flyers.

I was part of the line-up at Stand Up Tragedy, a London collective of “spoken word”, comedians and musicians. Our nightly variety show was remixed as a podcast, including interviews with beginners such as me (alongside some stars).

Among the better known acts I enjoyed were my namesake Dan Simpson, fellow chronicler of war-zone awakening Sophia Walker and the cummerbunded popular poet James McKay, who turned verse into bawdy cabaret with class (not words I imagined typing back to back).

My performance drew an encouraging response.

I was urged to return next year with a one-man show, like all three of the aforementioned artists, who used Stand Up Tragedy slots to promote what they did elsewhere at other times.

In that spirit, here’s my teaser for next year, or whenever I get it together to tell the full story.

Its unedited form comes complete with misguided numerological omens, some hardcore colonic self-abuse and a rousing hip-hop climax wearing masks.

For now though, you’ll have to make do with an mp3.

Or buy my book…