Please tell us about your brand of comedy- what can audiences expect?
Emma Sidi
I would be sassy and say 'they can expect the unexpected, baby', but whatever, I'll just tell you. There's a lot of bilingual comedy, so essentially jokes but in Spanish as well as big visuals such as contemporary dance, kitchen foil sculpting and foreign language karaoke. Okay, it's still not clear but that's probably for the best.
Which comedians have been your biggest influence since you decided this was your path?
Of the big guys, Reeves and Mortimer, Caroline Aherne, Victoria Wood, Eddie Izzard and Maria Bamford have dramatically shaped how and what I want do with live comedy. Zany yet heartfelt, truth in the absurd - that sort of stuff.
Then there are a few contemporary comedians that have been a big influence also: both Adam Riches and Lolly Adefope made me consider how different and exciting character comedy can be. Cheers, guys.
What random things make you laugh in everyday life?
I love seeing bus drivers cross on different sides of the road. They've always got some massive inside joke through the glass, or they seem delighted to see each other and share that moment of epic camaraderie, side by side in their buses. That always makes me laugh because the moment feels so intimate and it's just so nice. That and when people try to hide the fact they're yawning while speaking to you, but their flaring nostrils give it away.
Please tell us about your best and worst moment on stage so far.
Last year a not-so-great audience member got taken out by security for his aggressive disruption of the show. So that was the best moment on stage. I'm still waiting for the worst, fingers crossed, eh?
Do you still get nervous when you do a gig?
Yes. I think you have to. I get nervous because I doubt whether I'm going to be able to make the audience laugh, and it's that doubt and fear that drives you and makes you do all the work on stage.
Why is Edinburgh Fringe Festival such a great platform for comedians?
The variety in form and style at the Fringe is epic. If you have an idea for a show, with a bit of admin you can put it on, no matter how much it won't suit television or impress your parents. And to be honest, it's also a great platform as creative industry people do show up, and then you might not have to temp quite as much as before.
Who are you looking forward to seeing as an audience member?
My Dad. He is far too generous in terms of laughter, and I am not complaining. Cheers, Pa, appreciate it.
What is your advice to aspiring comedians?
Do all gigs and open mic nights, even the bad ones, and make online content. Ideally funny online content, short, sweet and jokey. Nowadays that is both sadly and excitingly the best way forward.
What is the oddest heckle you've ever received?
I used to do a bit where I pretended to talk on an invisible mobile - an audience member interrupted me to tell me what I should say to the imaginary person on the phone. It was a real curveball in a completely boring way.
What is next for you?
A very complicated tax return. Amongst other much nicer things.
Emma Sidi's show Telenovela will be playing at Pleasance That from Wednesday 3rd August till Sunday 28th August every day at 20:15.
Tagged in Edinburgh Festival Fringe