Matt Hutchinson is a comedian and a doctor. He has performed at the Fringe in 2017, where he brought his skills as a DJ to the mixed-bill show, ‘Mixtape, A Comedy Block Party’, and in 2019 when he did a split-bill with Ania Magliano. 2023 sees Matt bring his debut full-length show ‘Hostile’ to Edinburgh. We spoke to Matt about the show, the 75th anniversary of both the Windrush and the NHS, and his hopes and expectations for August.
Can you tell us about ‘Hostile’?
‘Hostile’ is an autobiographical show – about my family and my life – however as my dad is originally from Jamaica, it also addresses the immigrant and black British experience. My aim is to try and balance the fact that I have a pretty nice life with the realities of the more negative things that have happened to Black immigrants from former Empire colonies, while also celebrating their contributions. I think this is particularly important given we are in the year of the 75th anniversary of the Windrush’s arrival, and the creation of the NHS.
This is a show with a lot on its mind. The NHS, immigration, class, fatherhood. How to sculpt this into an hour that gets across everything you want to say? How has the work-in-progress stage been in regards to its development?
It has certainly given me an idea of what works and what doesn’t! The thing that ties it all together ultimately is me – in that although these are pretty diverse subjects, I can best speak about them as they relate to my life – so that helpfully narrows the scope a bit.
To what extent is the UK a hostile place for immigrants, or even the British children and grandchildren of immigrants? From your perspective is it as divided as the headlines would suggest?
I think headlines will always be simplistic and reductive – and paint things at their most extreme. I think particularly in places like London, things are certainly better than they were, certainly between communities.
Having said that, the experiences of members of these communities with institutions, whether that be the NHS, policing or any other authority still leave a lot to be desired. There is also a lot of more subtle stuff in workplaces and social situations, often unconscious, that I think will be a lot more difficult to solve. I’d say that my positive experiences likely have a lot to do with class – so I can’t really speak on behalf of others in different circumstances, who may disagree with me.
Your show tackles the Windrush scandal, and your father is part of that generation. Where do you find the humour in what was clearly such a betrayal?
The important thing is to make sure you’re laughing at the perpetrators of these negative things – rather than the event themselves. I don’t want you to think the whole show is about the scandal – more just acknowledging that generation, and those events set the backdrop for the show.
‘Hostile’ is your debut hour. What are your hopes and expectations for the month?
The first hope has to be that the show is well received by audiences – given that’s the purpose of comedy. If I get reviewed, I’m not going to pretend I don’t care if they’re positive or not – like most comedians deep down I can be thin skinned! Other than that, industry opportunities such as meetings/commissions are always on your mind as a goal – but given how crowded the market is, it’s definitely not healthy to have your happiness rest on that!
Beside ‘Hostile’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?
I will be shamelessly jumping on as many mixed bill shows as will have me – so around Edinburgh, almost certainly.
You’ve performed at the Fringe in 2017 and 2019. What for you are the best and worst things about the Fringe?
Those were split-bill, much more DIY shows – so having to do all of the admin and production myself wasn’t fun. That, and I never want to flyer again – two hours standing in the rain being ignored by strangers (and worse) is not the best pre-show self care routine.
Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?
Fellow doctor comedians Benji Waterstones and Ed Patrick, as well as Darran Griffiths, Fatiha el-Ghorri, Josh Weller, Alex Haddow – and Tarot, Darren Harriott, Ali Woods.
‘Hostile’ runs from Wed 2 to Sun 27 Aug 2023 (except Tue 15) at Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Four at 14:30