Matt Price is a pro who's been told his chances of 'making it' big have passed. So why does he still perform at the Fringe?

I’m a jobbing comic. Or to use a comedy industry term, a stalwart. I play the room I’m in and I can and do perform anywhere on a professional bill. I’ve been told that after 20 years in the game that ‘making it’ is impossible now. This is mostly by others who also haven’t ‘made it’.

But I still perform at the Edinburgh Fringe every year and enter the great comedians’ lottery. People often ask me why. So I’d like to talk and maybe even moan a little bit about the pros and cons of being a proud circuit comic who does an hour show every year and goes straight back to being a stalwart.

So let's start upbeat. The entire comedy industry are in Edinburgh for the month of August. Or so it seems. That has to be a good thing, surely? It's a trade show if you want to talk business rather than art. You can be seen by those who can give you work in various forms for the rest of the year.

This is not strictly true of course. There is life and comedy nights outside of the Fringe. Edinburgh is an intense month where to a performer, nothing else exists. Plus, who are these industry people?

A friend once told me that networking is very simple. Appeal to a person’s ego. Tell them ‘I’m doing a show. I’d love to know what you think of it.’ Great advice, but in reality networking is tricky. Nobody wears a badge with ‘industry’ written on it. Even if you have a team of people behind you, it's still very hard to stand out in a crowded market where everyone claims to have a 5-star show. It's the same with getting audiences in to watch your show. I'm not moaning, I'm just saying.

The last time I tried to network at the Fringe I walked backwards into a candle and burnt through two layers of clothing. Now I'm definitely moaning. I got the attention of the 60 or so people in the room that night but mostly messages from comedians asking if I did it on purpose.

But it's fine. It's Edinburgh. It's great to have a month where I don’t have to travel. I can walk to my show and various guest spots. Being on the road is a killer. However, the downside is that I know I'm not making any money.

I tell myself that it's not about money and the main thing is sharpening up and being match fit. It's about being creative too and a chance to do something different.

Traditionally, the festival was a place to take creative risks. But it's also about being in the midst of it all. Several other ten-minute guest spots a day mean that I don’t have to think about being on stage. I've asked around and the record for the most guest spots in one day stay stands at 28. So in theory, any performer goes home better at their craft.

But this leads me to the biggest con of all. The amount of money we have to spend as performers in order to live our dream. Accommodation costs are through the roof and cost of living makes me wonder if the Fringe is dying or at the very least ask how it can continue. Where are audiences going to stay? How many shows can they afford to see? Are they willing to take a punt on someone they've never heard of? Will we all be playing to empty rooms?

It's been a long time since this festival has been a Fringe.

So let's talk art again rather than business. Edinburgh is a different beast. Or so I'm often told. This is only a con rather than a pro because after 14 Edinburgh Fringes I still don’t know what that means and more crucially nobody can properly explain.

There are heated arguments about the merits of the confessional solo show for example vs the straight standup show. Fringe comics v club comics has always been a debate. Comedy circuit wisdom seems to suggest that there are fewer laughs in the case of the former, which should mean less ability as a comedian. But is that true? Fringe goers expect a show. A show is more than a collection of knob gags and crowd work.

Some of the material I do at the Fringe doesn't really work when I return to the circuit. Nobody at a comedy night has every heckled with, ‘Oi mate. Say something poignant.’ But is there is always the argument that as a comic you should play the audience in front of you. There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself in whatever form that takes. But play the room. It's good to be in front of a wide range of audiences and those who may not go to a comedy night the rest of the year.

It's show business. I do get that. But if you are in this industry, whatever you do, I hope it's because you love it. It's the love of comedy and the chance of going up a level that makes me return to the Fringe.

But I also love to watch other shows and talk to others about this crazy artform and lifestyle that we've all chosen. I understand why people say that the Fringe is too big and too commercial and there are times where it doesn't feel like an even playing field. There is always something to complain about but this is always tempered by the sheer excitement of being at the best Festival in the world.

This year could be my turn to get some recognition. I have to believe that. But whatever happens, I’m focusing on the one the thing that really matters - my show. I’d love to know what you think of it.

• Matt Price’s new stand-up show As Seen On CCTV is at Just The Tonic – The Spare One at 6.20pm from August 3.

Published: 31 Jul 2023