Please tell us about your brand of comedy- what can audiences expect?
Neil Henry by Steve Ullathorne
Funny moments that end with impossible happenings.
This year the show is called Neil Henry : MINDWANGLER.
I've had loads of fun creating a brand new show of the impossible for this year. It concentrates on magic of the mind. The problem with a lot of mind magic is that it is by default non-visual. The magic happens in the mind so you don't get to see anything happen. I love visual magic so in MINDWANGLER I have tried to take mind magic and make it visual. For instance in last year's show I ate a whole can of Alphabetty Spaghetti and someone would think of a word and instead of just reading their mind I would regurgitate the word they are thinking of in Alphabet spaghetti. I try to use every day and borrowed objects in the show so everyone can relate to what's happening.
It's an uplifting, funny and brain twisting show that's designed to mess with heads, scratch the bit of the brain that needs itching and have a lot of fun doing it.
Which comedians have been your biggest influence?
Rowan Atkinson, Peter Cook, Chris Morris, Rik Mayall, Beyond the Fringe, Monty Python.
What random things make you laugh in everyday life?
When people get things wrong. Normally it's me. And normally its lyrics. If someone walked into a lamppost in front of me- I would fall on the floor laughing. If I walked into a lamppost….I would fall to the floor and then laugh all week.
I also find it very funny when people highlight the crap that comes out of my mouth.
Please tell us about your best and worst moment on stage so far.
Best moment has to be last year when I proposed to my now wife on stage by regurgitating the words "MARRY ME" in Alphabetti Spaghetti.
Worst moment was losing a pint of blood when I slashed myself accidentally on stage in a show. I had no idea why the audience was being so weird and screamy! I lasted for 15 mins then fainted and had to go to hospital.
Do you still get nervous when you do a gig?
I do get nervous, well more excited. I guess I get nervous that I want every show to go perfectly and for everything to be the best it can be.
Why is Edinburgh Fringe Festival such a great platform for comedians?
It's great to be able to perform a show every day for a whole month to really refine the material. There is so much to see at the festival so it really forces you to find your unique selling point and develop it.
Who are you looking forward to seeing as an audience member?
I CANNOT WAIT to see Puddles Pity Party. Last year I went to his show and came out on cloud nine. One of the best shows I have ever seen.
I always love Tiffany Stevenson and my friend Tom Crosbie is coming up to the fringe for the 1st time this year and his show will be great.
What is your advice to aspiring comedians?
Keep being funny. Write stuff all the time. Try stuff in front of people even if you think it's rubbish. Some of the funniest bits come from the stuff I thought no one would like. You can't think for people. Let the audiences tell you if something is funny. If it's not then…big deal.
What is the oddest heckle you've ever received?
I once had someone shout "do you want to buy a fridge?"
We exchanged numbers and I bought the damn fridge.
What is next for you?
I'm in pre-production at the moment on a new character based magic show that I have written.
Neil Henry's new magic show 'Mindwangler' will be at the Pleasance Ace Dome on Bristo Square for the month of August at 4pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
Tagged in Edinburgh Festival Fringe