For some it’s football; for others it’s fishing. For some it could be the extreme excitement of white water rafting, while others do it best over a nice cup of tea whilst reading the papers on a Sunday morning. For Brighton comedian Aidan Goatley and his dad, however, father-son bonding reached its zenith in the noble art of watching films.
Not content with a mere one show this year, greedy Goatley is back with two. The first, 10 Films With My Dad (which made its Fringe debut in 2011), is Aidan’s exploration of how cinema was the primary – and perhaps only? – means of communication between his father and himself. From John Wayne to the advent of 3D, Goatley examines how cinema brought two gene-sharing boys together – and invites audiences to do their own soul-searching in the process.
11 Films To Happiness sees movie buff Aidan trawl through his much-loved DVD stash in a quest to see if this collection – or indeed anyone else’s – can bring true happiness. Can true celluloid nirvana be attained? What films, if any, can bring complete cinematic satisfaction? Along the way we will find out what connects Michael Caine to Aidan’s work ethic, why you should watch Bollywood superhero films and how Jason Statham can cure depression. Perhaps this quest will never reach its finale, and it will all be in vain, but at least there’ll be some giggles along the way.
Aidan Goatley has been on the stand-up circuit for four years, caused in the main part by the realisation that he’d better get round to doing something productive. He has written a book based on his first show, 10 Films With My Dad, and lives in Brighton with his wife, daughter and a fish called Barry.
“A riotously funny comedian” – BROADWAY BABY *****
“A natural raconteur. Very, very funny. The most charming, happy and optimistic show you’ll see” – FRINGEGURU *****
“Aidan Goatley’s Edinburgh Fringe shows are a magnet for five star reviews. A brilliant raconteur with an utterly unique turn of phrase…His shows combine superb narrative drive, pathos, and emotional depth, but are also stunningly hilarious and leave audiences crying out for more” – COMEDY SHOWCASE
10 Films With My Dad
Voodoo Rooms Ballroom, Edinburgh
August 2 – 24, 2.30pm
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/10-films-with-my-dad
11 Films To Happiness
Ciao Roma, Edinburgh
August 2 – 23, 9.35pm
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/11-films-to-happiness