Reuben Kaye and his band are back with the UK debut of his award-nominated show Live and Intimidating! The obscenely intelligent, rib-crackingly funny Reuben Kaye returns to the Edinburgh Fringe in an explosion of high camp and filthy humour. With musical direction by Shanon Whitelock and original compositions, this Swarovski-studded revolt is what happens when you tell your children they can be anything.

We’re really excited to hear that you have two shows at the fringe this year – how are you feeling about bringing double the amount of laughter to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Fringe is my favourite time of year… apart from those three weeks the German Navy comes ashore for “training excercises”. I’m finally bringing my new solo show Live & Intimidating which the UK hasn’t seen yet. It’s the story of how the Christian Right Wing tried to cancel me in Australia resulting in some terribly spelt death threats which meant I had to sit and watch the Australian Police and domestic terrorism unit go through my phone in front of me… I’ve never seen a Police Minister scroll through a photos album with such a red face!

And my late night club show The Kaye Hole. It’s a Fringe favourite: fast, filthy, loose and with all the best acts. From big name comics to nude women with popcorn makers strapped to their heads to a 6’4” musclebound man in tight shorts and a hard hat we call Throb The Builder, It’s the party at the end of the world and there are no rules.

And yes… two shows is going to be a lot but I’ve yet to bite off more than I could swallow.

Your work often uses your own lived experiences as a queer person in a way that pokes fun at the world we live in, and brings people in on the joke. Have you always felt confident in using these difficult experiences you’ve had as a queer person in your work, or has it come later in life?

I don’t think I’ve had much choice to be honest. I just happen to be making work about things I’m angry/frustrated about and even though I might seem very different to others what I actually find is gay, straight, bi, young or old – whatever, we’re all angry about the same things. At a time when society seems the most divided, we’re all actually feeling and going through very similar things. That’s beautiful. Also, even as a child I was confident. In my first sonogram I was using my umbilical cord as a feather boa.

How important is it to bring emerging talent into your shows, like you do each night with The Kaye Hole?

They’re the future. Plain and simple. If you don’t bring others up as you move up then you’re not doing the work. And it’s worth it. The look on an audiences faces when they’re confronted with an act they’ve never heard of tearing the room up is priceless and every night at the Kaye Hole I can guarantee you’re going to see something you haven’t seen before.

You’ll be aware that the UK has just elected a new Labour Government – what message would you share to the incoming Labour Party about how to support the arts and festivals like Edinburgh to make sure the live sector (especially for queer folk) is protected and enriched?

Easy…GIVE MONEY AND RESOURCES to local theatres and local artists. Give grants to artists in the middle of their careers, not just the young. Give schools funding for art and drama. When the world is in crisis we turn to art to help us process it. Art is a necessity for society. Treat it as such. Because when it all comes crashing down you’ll miss it!

How do you let off steam when you’re at such a demanding festival like Edinburgh?

Oh I don’t need much. Rest, nutritious food, drink lots of water, a weekend with the French national rugby team and an industrial sized tub of coconut oil. The usual. What’s important is finding inner joy. And without the coconut oil the rugby team’s useless. It’ll be like trying to stretch a an old sock over a fire hydrant. (This last line can be cut if needed)

What can we look forward from you next, or are you off for a much deserved rest post fringe?

I’m bringing both shows to London! Live & Intimidating is playing at The Soho Theatre from Sept 10th-21st then we’re doing one huge Kaye Hole at The Clapham Grand which will be my last gig in London for a while! Then I’ll see about a rest… or at least an unethical vet who can sort out enough Ketamine to turn me into a horse.

Reuben Kaye presents two shows at this years Edinburgh Fringe – Live And Intimidating from 1-25 August and The Kaye Hole from 2 -24 August.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/reuben-kaye-live-and-intimidating