Spreadsheets, Stand-Up, and the Stories In Between: James Trickey at The Edinburgh Fringe

In Don’t Count on Me, award-winning comic James Trickey explores the tension between security and self-expression, shaped by a mixed-race upbringing, a career in accountancy, and a calling he could no longer ignore. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply personal, this debut hour charts what happens when you finally take the risk. Catch it at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer 

Can you tell us a bit about the concept of your show. 

I would say the show it about trying to make a decision between something very safe and logical and something which is seemingly insanely risky and probably quite irresponsible. The only catch is that you've been meaning to choose the risky option for several years because it feels like it’s always been calling out to you. There are also some stops to explore how I ended up with this choice in the first place (mixed-race parents, I'm looking at you) which hopefully provide a nice bit of context as to who I am and how I got here.

How do you balance your career as a chartered accountant with comedy?

It’s a hell of a question. For the most part, I am just really tired a lot of the time. Accountancy is a job which tends to ebb and flow with how busy it is. It gets really busy towards the beginnings and ends of every month, so I try to do my comedy admin when I have a bit more capacity. But then it’s just, clock in, do the job, clock out, travel to gig, do the gig, go home and repeat. Coffee and persistence. 

Your parents sound like an iconic duo. A carefree British dad and a financially focused Cambodian mum. How does that dynamic play out in the show and in your sense of humour?

They are incredibly iconic. But even though they clash when it comes to life decisions they’re both really funny in their own ways. My Dad has always had a great sense of humour and LOVES to tell a long winded story about how he’s the unluckiest man in the world. I would say that if I have an opportunity to be a bit cheeky, then that’s him. However, my mum sometimes has this incredible bluntness which I have probably inherited too which makes for a fun gear shift. 

You’re now an award-winning comic but you haven’t quit your day job. At what point would you consider making it your full-time career?

I reckon, if it ever got to a point where there was so much comedy work that I was not able to do both I would go full-time. But until that point, I’ll happily keep on accounting on the side. I can’t lie, it is quite nice knowing that my rent is definitely covered if I keep logging on and opening Excel, so the incentive to not give up the day job is currently quite high. 

What do you hope to take away from Fringe this year?

Honestly, if I’m able to look back at the end of the Fringe and still be proud of the show, then that would be fantastic. Outside of that, it would obviously be amazing if I came out of it with a couple of fans who would want to come and see what I end up doing next. Or a medal, that would be pretty great.

James Trickey: Don’t Count on Me is at Edinburgh’s Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July – 24 August. Tickets available HERE.