Joe Tracini is a comedian and actor who is known for his candid and hopeful perspective on living and performing with Borderline Personality Disorder. He is bringing his debut, five-years-in-the-making, Fringe show ‘Ten Things I Hate About Me’ to the Fringe in August. 

We spoke to Joe about the show, how BPD manifests his writing and performance, and being nominated for a BAFTA for a documentary about his condition.

Can you tell us about ‘Ten Things I Hate About Me?

It’s very funny. It feels weird to say that about my own work, I’m normally self-deprecating and comedy is subjective, but I really believe that it’s relatable to a lot of people. I’m proud of how funny it is, whilst being simultaneously ashamed of the content. I feel like a better person because I’ve written it, and hopefully it will be a show people will remember because they felt something.

How does your BPD affect your life, and particularly your ability to write and perform?

It’s like being haunted, but you’re also the ghost. My brain thinks everything is an emergency and I’m the worst person to help. It’s exhausting, especially when you’re trying to do something important, like shopping or waking up. And writing with BPD is hard because it’s difficult to trust the quality of my thoughts for the time it takes to type them. Performing is easier, because I don’t have to make any decisions. It’s just me, the audience and the voice in my head shouting, ‘They hate you,’ while I’m too busy to care.

A documentary about your condition has been nominated for a BAFTA. Was this a catalyst for the show; coming at the subject from a more personal perspective?

The show was the catalyst for the documentary. My first work in progress for ‘Ten Things I Hate About Me’ was in March 2020, just before the world stopped. I kept trying to do it after the lockdowns, but I had a panic attack every time I got in front of an audience. I made the documentary because showing as many people as possible whatever I’m struggling with had worked in the past.

For those coming to you for the first time, how would you describe your approach to comedy?

Emotional scaffolding. I build something that looks daft and climb up it like an idiot so I can do something important.

This is your full debut Fringe show. What are your hopes and expectations for August?

Well, BPD overpromises to make disappointment inevitable. Just being there doing it every day is enough for me, but the voice in my head fully anticipates me being the first newcomer to win best show, so that when it doesn’t happen, being proud of myself is irrelevant.

Apart from your show, what else are you looking forward to (or even perhaps dreading) about the Fringe?

I’m dreading zero things. 20 years ago, an old bitter actor told me to, ‘Never go to the Fringe unless you’re working it’, and I regrettably took that advice. Everything I’ve heard about it is right up my street, and I’m so glad this is happening at this point in my life.

Besides ‘Ten Things I Hate About Me’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?

Hopefully. I love what I do, and if somebody’s doing a show they want me to be a part of, as long as it’s not happening at 8.25pm, I’ll be there.

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

Nina Conti and Max Fulham are the best ventriloquists in the world. The work they’re doing is off the charts in comparison to what audiences are used to seeing. Even if you don’t typically like vent, please go and see them. They’re incredible.

‘Ten Things I Hate About Me‘ is at Underbelly, Bristo Square – Ermintrude from Wed 30 Jul to Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 20:25