Tim Fitzhigham: Stop The Pigeon

So, tell us about your show?
It's called Stop the Pigeon and is the dastardly tale of the toughest bet in history - originally undertaken in 1753 by legendary Scottish aristocrat the fourth Duke of Queensberry. I'm taking on Alex Horne and one of us must win. Certain humiliation faces the other.

What physical condition are you in at the moment? Have you broken anything recently?
Nope - I'm in peak physical condition. Except a fractured big toe. And mild frostbite. I am beginning to suspect I am a cartoon character.

What drives you to perform these feats? Why don't you just stay at home and watch telly like the rest of us?
I am really not sure I've not got to that bit in my head yet... but I suppose I've always wanted to see what things are possible and I love the fun of trying anything out so I suppose that might be part of it. My family have always liked doing things in their own way so that might be part of it too. I'm really not sure but it's clearly deep rooted. When other people were admiring McGyver or The A-Team, I was studying the Great Gonzo and working out how possible it was to catch a cannon ball. I'm still working on that one as it happens...

What advice would you give to a young chap (or chapess) who said they wanted to grow up to be an adventurer just like you?
Don't let people limit your plans. You'll have enough problems dealing with gravity, physics, biology and the weather without having to deal with people too. Oh, and practice wearing shorts and a dinner jacket (there's no occasion you can't deal with wearing one or the other, or both)

Do you find you start to get itchy feet when you're stuck in Edinburgh for a month?
I love Edinburgh, always have - she's like the perfect mistress who only appears in your life once every twelve months, knows just how long to stay and leaves you just at the right time. I should add I've never had a mistress like that but that's sort of how I imagine they'd work. It's a great place to be stuck, although I have had itchy feet there once. I think I just ate the wrong cheese.

What's your number one Fringe survival tip?
Take an umbrella but of course never unfurl it. Be prepared for the weather but never give in to it! Oh, and mention to everyone you see the following line: "Have you seen Tim FitzHigham's show Stop the Pigeon? I hear it's marvellous. Who'd have thought it? A pigeon..."

And finally, who else do you hope to see during the Fringe?
Andrew Maxwell is always good. The last time I saw Simon Munnery he was working on something pioneering (again) so that'll be interesting. Felicity Ward I met in Melbourne at the Festival so it'll be nice to see her again.