Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#89): Michael Elsener: HOW TO LIVE IN PARADISE

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect.  Today, we’re joined by Michael Elsener to chat about his show, How To Live In Paradise.

1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

I think most of us feel an urge to make the world around us better. Deep down, we’re all asking: How can we live in paradise? As a Swiss person, I’m privileged to live in what many would call paradise. But even paradise can sometimes feel like hell. Living there doesn’t automatically make you happy. So in this show, I explore how we can each create our own version of paradise, wherever we are. It might sound like I’m sharing a Swiss superpower – and since Switzerland actually isn’t a superpower, people say the show is funny in an unexpected way.

2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

I’m a huge fan of British comedy, and I wanted to move out of my comfort zone. So I decided to branch out from creating and performing comedy in my mother tongue. That choice has made the whole process of creating this hour even more exciting. When we speak another language, we become a slightly different version of ourselves. That’s a fascinating gift. I’m discovering new sides of myself every day and it’s changing how I do comedy in ways I never expected.

3. How would you describe your show in three words?

Smart. Funny. Addictive.

4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

That the Swiss are surprisingly funny.

5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

It’s my first time doing a full run at the Fringe, so honestly, I’d love to hear your tips. But I assume not drinking every night might be a good place to start.

6. Where and when can people see your show?

Michael Elsener: Welcome to Paradise runs 1-21 August (not 11), Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (Ruby) at 20:20 (60 mins).

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/michael-elsener-how-to-live-in-paradise

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