Silly and surreal comedian Ben O’Sullivan returns to Edinburgh with an absurd show asking the question, Is it possible to seduce someone, even if they know you sleep with a weighted blanket?
Ben performs at the Fringe 6th-18th August 19:45 at Cellar at Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull. Tickets are available here.
We sat down with Ben to discuss his upcoming performances.
The title Heavy Petting, Heavier Blankets is really memorable. Where did the idea for the show first begin?
I got a weighted blanket last year and became obsessed with it, and I was on a date and you know when you’re on a date and you’re trying to manufacture a version of yourself that you think this person will like, well I was trying to be something I’m not…
Cool, calm and collected.
And about halfway through the date I realised, wait a second what if this goes exactly the way I want it to go and we go back to mine. She’s just going to walk in and see I need to be hugged artificially to sleep, she’ll instantly realize hang on this guy isn’t Pierce Brosnan at all he’s just a man with a blanket.
The show touches on intimacy issues while still staying playful and surreal. How did you find the right balance between honesty and silliness?
By truly embracing who I am as a writer and performer, in the past I’ve tried to write shows that break down a serious topic in an intellectually articulate way because I thought that’s what’s expected of me, but to be honest that’s not who I am as a writer or as a person. In this show intimacy issues are more tied into the show thematically rather than being at the forefront of everything, those are the kind of shows that always had the most meaning to me
What felt most important to you when talking about intimacy in a comedy setting?
The nature of intimacy issues are hilarious to me, I’ve spent hours perfecting my hinge profile picking the right photos, the right prompts, but a shred of vulnerability?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
I feel quite confident at making surface level connections with people but beyond that, I struggle massively and that’s quite funny, it’s like going to a restaurant and only ordering a starter.
Having brought Bermuda Rhombus to Edinburgh last year, what feels different about returning to the Fringe with a brand new show?
Last year was a huge education both personally and professionally but there was a moment at the last fringe where I saw a show called, ‘The Most Toast’. The premise of the show is they’re finding out who in the audience has eaten the most toast and it was without question the best show I’ve ever seen, it truly made me think, wait, you can actually just do whatever you want and if it’s funny enough people will like it? A concept so simple yet I remember crying of laughter, you know? It was inspiring, like prioritising jokes and silliness doesn’t diminish you as an artist and that’s given me such creative freedom.
For people who saw Bermuda Rhombus, how does this new show feel different?
This show feels like an honest reflection of who I am as a comic the difference between last year and this year is this year I’m not trying to write something that has one foot in both camps. I’m writing something that is more aware of what it is, trusting it’ll find an audience. I’m a comic who is very serious about writing very silly jokes and in my heart of hearts that’s what I want to be
What advice would you give to someone trying to make comedy that feels both playful and personal?
Weirdos find weirdos! Your personality might be crap but at least it’s yours and nobody else’s. Don’t try to be something you’re not because audiences will see right through it. It’s like did you ever see the remake of that movie ‘The Gambler’ where we’re meant to believe Mark Wahlberg is a professor of literature?
Yeah right!!