Edinburgh 'stressful but exciting'

7:54pm Friday 18th July 2008

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James Dowdeswell has joked the smell of beer is one of the things he loves about performing at the Edinburgh Festival.

The stand-up comic confessed it's nerve-racking appearing at the annual comedy event - but he wouldn't miss it for the world.

James said: "Edinburgh Festival is the most stressful yet exciting month of the year, it's amazing.

"As soon as you get off the train there's that smell that smells of Edinburgh - it's the hops of the brewery. It's like the city has got subliminal message 'keep drinking we're making more'. You just know it's a party town - it's beautiful. There's the city and you can see the countryside in the distance, it's just great.

"You do get nervous about your show, everybody gets nervous about their show because they want their show to be the best they can. But it is so exciting performing your show and the people have come in to see you. It's great, it's a fantastic feeling and you get an hour to do whatever you like."

Comedian John Ryan agreed: "I think all comics have to do the Edinburgh Festival, just to stay sane, just to stretch yourself, test yourself. All year round you can do the clubs and that but there's nothing better than doing an hour of your own material in front of people who don't know you."

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