Alfie Packham is a comedian and writer based in London. He was twice nominated for the BBC New Comedy Award and was the Max Turner Comedy Prize winner in 2022. He writes for both the Guardian and Observer, and Radio 4’s The Now Show and The News Quiz. He is performing his debut stand-up hour ‘My Gift to You’ at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024. We had a breakneck chat to Alfie about his show, his expectations for August, and the work and leisure aspects of the Fringe.

Can you tell us about ‘My Gift to You?’

I made a show because I think the audience deserves a little something.

For anyone who might be new to you, could you describe your approach to comedy?

It has been described as, ‘cerebral but silly’.

You’ve worked as a journalist for eight years. Has that influenced your stand-up?

I don’t do very topical comedy on stage, so not in that way. But sometimes it helps me with ideas. I have one routine about sexting that started out as a newspaper column. I’m not an important journalist, if that wasn’t clear.

‘My Gift to You,’ is your debut hour. What are your hopes and expectations for the month?

I hope every show sells out and that it gets good reviews. I expect the reviews will instead highlight fatal weaknesses in my performance that I’m currently unaware of.

 You performed a work in progress at the Free Fringe last year? How has the show developed since then?

I did, and I had a fun time. It was called ‘My Gift to You’ literally just because I wasn’t charging people to come since it was unfinished. The show has more of a story now and the jokes are better.

Beside ‘My Gift to You,’ can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?

I might pop up on some mixed-bill shows. No plays.

What is your favourite and least favourite things about the Fringe?

My least favourite thing is giving out flyers because it feels like work, and my favourite is seeing other people’s shows, because it feels like leisure.

Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?

Off the top of my head, Luke Chilton, Aaron Chen, Sarah Roberts, Derek Mitchell, and loads of others, email me about it later.

‘My Gift to You‘ is at Underbelly Bristo Square from Wed 31 Jul to Mon 26 Aug 2024 (except Mon 12)