Interview: Delete the Banjax

Interview: Delete the Banjax

09 August, 2010
by: Emma

Emma chats to the hotly-tipped sketch newcomers about awkward Fringe flat shares and who's got the best hairdo.

You guys seem to have hit the ground running since you started performing in 2008. Were you pleased with all the good press you got so early on?
Good press is always nice but the first year we had to rely on word of mouth from the audience. We had only just got together and didn’t really have any idea what to expect, so we hadn’t prepared very well! Last year we had a bit more experience and some great people plugging our show (including Spoonfed, thank you very much!) so that, combined with word of mouth and good reviews, meant that last year went better than any of us could have expected or hoped.
 
Can you tell us a bit about your 2010 show?
This year’s show is called Delete the Banjax....and you! – it’s a brand new hour of subtly surreal sketches, characters and songs all performed just for you. Anyone who’s seen us before should recognise the chaotic style of the last couple of years (fast-paced, minimal props and costume) but now we’ve got some lighting and sound cues to play about with. We’re very excited!

How did you all meet and what made you decide to form a sketch group?
Gaz and Sam met at A-Level college in Devon, and then Sam met Caz and Dan at Birmingham University. A few years later we were all based in London and Dan said something along the lines of “Do you want to be in a sketch group?” and it kind of evolved from there.

What do you think each other’s best comic skill is?
Not sure we know yet! But we know the following things for sure - Dan’s good at dicking about, Gaz plays guitar, Sam’s got stupid hair and Caroline’s good at typing.

Some of your sketches are wonderfully silly. Are there any you’ve ever ruled out for being too ridiculous?
We briefly had a sketch called “Guess the Fruit” – enough said. But ultimately, if it gets a laugh, we’ll chuck pretty much anything into the show.
 
Do you have any Festival tips or recommendations?
Bring an umbrella, shorts, t-shirt, thermals – the weather is so changeable you’ll need a bit of everything! Take recommendations from other audience members – that’s usually the best way to see some great shows that you probably won’t have heard of. Check out PBH’s Free Fringe. See as much as possible. Bring a LOT of money. Have fun! Oh, and come and see us at 5.45pm every day.
 
Where do you stay?
We share a flat out in Leith – Caroline and Sam are dating so they get the master bedroom. Gaz and Dan aren’t dating but have to share a room. They don’t really want to talk about it.
 
Where do you go to escape the chaos?
Our flat is a great place to escape to – it’s out of the chaos of the centre of Edinburgh and it’s fairly chilled and quiet. Other than that, we like popping into Has-Beens (a nice cafe on Canongate). Gaz doesn’t like “chilling out” so he spends most of his time in the pub.

What’s next for DTB after the Fringe?
Nothing. We’re all going on holiday for a few weeks straight after Edinburgh and then meeting back up late September for a Banjax team meeting ...and a drink! Oh, and Caz is intent on marrying Tim Minchin, so she’ll probably try to make that happen.

Delete the Banjax...and you! will be at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh from August 9th-30th.

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Emma