Edward Reid: My show is more realistic than Britain’s Got Talent

WHEN Edward Reid, a 35-year-old drama teacher, took the stage for Britain’s Got Talent last year, there was a hush of anticipation.

As the pianist struck the first few chords, what followed left judges and audience open mouthed, then cheering on their feet.

Now, Reid makes his Fringe debut in An Alternative Reality Show, at Assembly Salon Elegance. Here, he reveals how his current one-man show is far more real than anything he had to do on Britain’s Got Talent.

LAST year, a friend entered me into Britain’s Got Talent. I really wasn’t sure how I felt about it at the time.

Part of me thought, ‘Absolutely no way!’ Another part of me thought, ‘What the hell? Why not?’

Eventually it was the latter that won out and when I found myself in front of the judges at the auditions I was ready for it. So what if I got buzzed off in the first round? I was going to give it a go and give it my all.

The only thing I had to lose was my dignity, so I decided that if that happened I may as well do it in style with ballad versions of children’s nursery rhymes.

Well the risk paid off and I progressed through to the semi-final. The Fringe is a far scarier talent contest. With BGT you have to prepare a series of small audition pieces - short intensive hits to impress. The Fringe is more sustained. There is something far more visceral about the prospect. It’s more exposing and takes more resilience and stamina, but the chance to work on your act day in day out in front of live audiences makes the whole experience worthwhile.

The Fringe is far more real than any TV reality talent contest can possibly be.

Edward Reid: Living The Dream One Song At A Time , Assembly Salon Elegance, George Square, until August 15, 6.15pm, £8-£11.50, www.assemblyfestival.com