Hello David, so where ya from & where ya at, geographically speaking?
I was born in Oxford, then went to university at Warwick, where I helped found the Warwick Revue. Now I live in London; Leytonstone specifically.

When did you realise you were, well, funny?
I was part of the Writing Society at university and during one session we had to try to write something funny. I tried and the half a dozen laughs in the room felt like a rip-roaring success. I later wrote a five minute routine about how police commissioner Cressida Dick has a funny name, and performed it to an overly generous audience at an open mic night.

Who are your comedic inspirations?
I’m pretty inspired by loads of the people I know on the alternative comedy scene. I’m a big fan of the Weirdos collective and the acts who do gigs like the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society. From the traditional comedy canon I love Chris Morris and I think The Simpsons is quite good.

You have studied clown at the prestigious Ecole Philippe Gaulier. For you what makes a good clown?
Clown is so difficult and ‘good’ is far too high praise. I try to have loads of fun performing and do material that makes me laugh, and that helps me be playful and ridiculous. I’m pretty stupid and I don’t worry about looking like an idiot if I think it’ll be funny.

You are a part of the London comedy scene – what’s life actually like being a capital comedian?
I eat a lot of supermarket meal deals on the tube and my skin is pallid. Apart from that I think it’s probably the funnest thing I could be doing with my life. I don’t perform at the big weekend clubs but the alternative comedy scene in London is great and growing. I run a night called ‘Oh Boy, Comedy!’ which keeps me pretty busy.

What does David McIver like to do when he’s not being, well, funny?
Nothing, such a moment has never passed, and never will. I do however like dancing badly to indie pop at poorly-populated club nights in London, and going for lengthy procrastinatory runs when I should be writing.

You have performed comedy on BBC Radio 4 Extra, how did you find that?
It was part of the BBC New Comedy Award, which I was selected for in 2015. I had a great time, the audience was packed out and they were kind souls. I kept worrying I would accidentally drop an f-bomb and get banned from the radio forever, but I kept myself in check. Well done me.

You’re bringing a show to Edinburgh this August : “Stop It, David, We Are Having Too Much Fun”. Can you tell us the thinking behind its inception?
At the moment I think the show is a spiritual journey of self-acceptance told through the medium of absurdist stand-up and character comedy. I’m interested in mindfulness, and I think in some ways it holds the key, not only to happiness, but to being a good comedy performer, and I wanted to explore that in the show. Mainly though it’s just an excuse to put on revealing costumes and do some really stupid characters.

What does the rest of 2017 hold in store for David McIver?
I have literally no idea. My life revolves around the Edinburgh Fringe and so I only plan as far as August. I imagine in September I’ll start working on next year’s Edinburgh show. My life is sad and there is no escape.

David McIver: Stop It, David, We Are Having Too Much Fun
Venue: Southsider (PBH Free Fringe)
Dates: 5th-26th August (not 15th)
Time: 8.15pm (45 mins)