Having stolen the show in BBC3 sitcom Him and Her as oddball neighbour Dan, and introducing his first solo hour of stand-up this year, Joe Wilkinson is fast becoming one to watch in comedy land. Emma McAlpine finds out more...
Joe Wilkinson's downbeat, quirky brand of comedy can often sneak up on you, as his random musings and observations cause ripples of laughter around the room, long after the delivery. Having performed at the Edinburgh Fringe for the last three years as part of offbeat sketch duo Two Episodes of MASH, this year he will debut his first solo hour of stand-up. I caught up with the award-winning comic to discuss his new show and why his parents might not enjoy watching it this year…
Your Edinburgh show this year is about your parents. Were they instrumental in helping you develop a good sense of humour when you were growing up?
My parents definitely shaped my sense of humour. My Dad is accidentally the funniest person I know and my mum is a massive pisstaker so it sort of rubbed off on me.
Do they come and see you perform much?
Not really. They are very supportive but I think they realise how ridiculous all this is, but they will be coming to the show in Edinburgh like they do every year bless them. I think they will enjoy this year less as a lot of it is about them. Oh dear...
What did you do before you became a comedian and what was the deciding factor that got you onto the stage?
I was a graphic designer. I wasn't great at it if I'm honest. I have no idea how all this happened. Tiernan Douieb booked me for another gig after my first one so I guess it's his fault.
What's the best advice you've ever been given by another comic?
Stave Hall told me after my first gig that it wasn't all totally shit.
This is your first solo Fringe show but not your first Fringe performance. Do you think it helps to wait a few years before you take a solo show to Edinburgh to develop your act and if so, how do you think your act has changed over the last few years?
I don't know really. I wanted to do the Two Episodes of MASH stuff so that's what I did. I’m very proud of it and it is carrying on (they’ve just recorded a series for BBC Radio 2) but nothing I do is deliberate.
You play a very convincingly creepy neighbour in Him and Her. Have you ever had any weird neighbours to draw inspiration from?
I based the character on someone I met but it wasn't a neighbour. The person I based it on is lovely and not creepy, but I won't say who it is because I don't think it would be very flattering for them.
Joe Wilkinson: My Mum's Called Stella and My Dad's Called Brian is at the Pleasance Courtyard from the 3rd-28th August.
Photo credit: Petra Exton Photography
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