Gareth Richards: Introvert: Never been to Disneyland

What’s your show all about this year?

This year my show is about how you don’t get to choose the world you are born into. It’s called 'Introvert: Never been to Disneyland', because I’m an introvert, which I think is something you are born with, and because I’ve never been to Disneyland which is choice my parents made. To make matters worse when I was about 10 my parents went to Disneyworld in Florida without me. The show is about life as an introvert and the repercussions of my parents going to Disneyland without me.

How have the previews been going so far?

Oh you know, it’s alternated between being carried aloft and being run out of town.

If, to make it up to you, your parents allowed you to have your own theme park in their back garden, what would the theme be and what would be the biggest attraction?

It would be Blur World. You get to be in the band Blur and the rides would named after songs from the band Blur. There would be a rollercoaster for girls called, ‘She’s so High’, a ‘Parklife’ area, you know with swings and that. The toilets would be named ‘Girls and Boys’. There would be ‘Coffee and TV’ for the parents. Then it would break into four different worlds for the solo projects, ‘Gorillaz World’ (Damon), ‘Cheese World’ (Alex), ‘Rehab World’ (Graham), and ‘Political World’ (Dave) and then it would all reform for a bit more Blur, with just the same rides but slightly older and more rickety.

Do you have any tips for maintaining a healthy mind and body during the Fringe?

Try not to get carried away imagining band-based theme parks. Wear layers: the venues will be as hot as the sun and outside it will probably be snowing. Go to bed. If you find it awkward talking to someone when sober then don’t try when drunk.

What are the biggest pros and cons in performing at the Fringe?

It’s the biggest bestest festival in the world and all your comedy mates are there. The downside is the psychological and physical breakdowns, the self-loathing, the competition, the meaningless of it all.

Whose shows are you hoping to catch this year?

Josh Widdicombe, Peacock and Gamble, Harry Hill.