Interviews

Interview: Chaotic Comedy Carrots in Full Bloom

Rosebuds Comedy Festival

Euan Fraser introduces Arthur Vinegar: Good Boy

In our third and final interview celebrating the Rosebuds Comedy Festival, ET dives into the wonderfully bizarre world of Arthur Vinegar, played by Euan Fraser, a comedian whose props are as unconventional as his humour. With Rosebuds providing a stage for emerging talent, this comedy-packed lineup has been a riot of fresh ideas and innovative performances. ET hopes this inaugural festival at The Bread & Roses Theatre will become an annual tradition, continuing to champion unique voices in comedy.


Hello Euan, and welcome to ET. Let’s start with some introductions.

I’m Euan Fraser, the writer-creator-performer behind the carrot-farming clown Arthur Vinegar.

And where will we find the show?

At The Bread and Roses Theatre as part of the exciting new Rosebuds Comedy Festival, run by the wonderful The Defectors.

What can audiences expect?

Daydreaming carrot farmer Arthur Vinegar is in the big city and ready to entertain! Watch as he battles his demons to spread love, joy, and chaos throughout the land, armed only with his carrots and imagination.

What’s your show about?

Clowning, carrots, and chaos: an anything-could-happen hour of anarchy, idiocy, and belly laughs.

What was the inspiration behind the show?

Most of the show was written by performing and experimenting on stage, so it’s hard to point to a single inspiration — other than wanting to give people a reason to laugh.

I once (drunkenly but no less embarrassingly) told a friend I was “a poet trapped in a farmer’s body.” Maybe this show is that idea brought to life through the idiotic imagination of a clown. I want to make people laugh, and this is the only way I know how—dressed as a farmer who dreams of being a performer, crafting all kinds of props and magic tricks from carrots.

How long have you been working on this play?

I first performed the 30-minute version of this show as part of a double bill at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so it’s probably been a year or so in the making in various forms.

Is the version coming to Rosebuds how you originally envisioned it, or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?

The show is constantly changing. Some elements stay consistent, but every audience brings out something different, and I love that. I want to perform for the people who are there in that moment and give them the best show possible.

What is it about your character that you enjoy the most?

The freedom. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to be measured, thoughtful, and in control. This character doesn’t mind making mistakes — he’s always trying his best but constantly getting it wrong. It’s scary, but also thrilling.

How challenging has this role been for you?

It’s both a pleasure and a challenge. No one is making me do this, and I get so much joy from playing on stage. But for me, as a person, it’s challenging to embrace being a fool and making mistakes. In real life, I’m vain, I want to be liked, and I’m terrified of failing or looking stupid. On stage, in this role, I have to let go of all that.

Being a clown is really fun, but finding something that connects with the audience requires full commitment. I need to stay optimistic, present, and in love with the people who came to see the show. Balancing what the audience wants and surprising them with something unexpected is a constant learning curve, but it’s incredibly fulfilling.

What do you hope audiences think about your character?

That Arthur’s an innocent daydreamer who’ll do anything to make them laugh.

How important is audience interaction to you?

It’s really important — they guide what comes next. The show shouldn’t rely on them, but they should feel like they got something unique that wouldn’t have been possible without their presence.

What do you hope the audience feels after watching the show?

I hope they’re not thinking — I hope they’re still laughing, maybe even unsure why.

Who do you imagine enjoying the show the most?

The show has had a broad and varied audience, which has been lovely. What connects them, I think, is a shared desire to escape the heaviness of the world for an hour — to let go and embrace something that’s purely fun and funny.

Is this going to be the show’s first time on stage?

A shorter version of the show had a full run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe as part of a split bill. It was long-listed for Best Newcomer (ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards).

What feedback from the Edinburgh audiences have you incorporated into this performance?

My Edinburgh Fringe show was at 1:45 AM in the basement of a burrito shop. We were lucky to get good audiences who loved the chaos and absurdity. I’ve tried to maintain that spirit while also developing a longer show with a touch more structure for proper stages and pre-midnight timeslots.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from preparing for and performing this show?

Inspiration is a luxury. It’s great when the ideas are flowing, but it’s not always there, and you can’t rely on it. Being free on stage takes a lot of work, a lot of failure, and a lot of spirit.

What made you decide to be part of Rosebuds this year? How do you see this festival as a platform for emerging artists?

Outside of Edinburgh, opportunities to perform Fringe Theatre can be rare. I’m grateful to The Defectors for taking the initiative and creating the world they want to be part of. It’s a fantastic lineup and a wonderful chance to share our work and develop our shows.

Being a fringe festival, we know sets have to be minimal. How have you worked around this with your set and props?

Thankfully, I was a product designer in a previous life, so I love experimenting with props. Almost all the props in this show are made from carrots. They can be temperamental, but they’re cheap, biodegradable, and surprisingly versatile.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about doing Rosebuds next year?

Be prepared to adapt, fail, and grow. Also, embrace the joy of sharing your work with supportive audiences.

Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your life story?

I always dream of playing the roles Colin Farrell takes, so maybe he could play me.

If you could have any special guest (living or dead) attend your show, who would it be and why?

Billy Connolly—my comedy and life hero. Making him laugh would be a dream come true.

What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?

“If there’s an audience, a clown is fucking excited to perform, no matter what.” That wisdom came from my good friend and fellow Rosebuds participant, Mattia Sedda. (See his interview here)


Thank you Euan, it’s been great to talk to you, why do I have a craving for carrot cake?

Arthur Vinegar: Good Boy plays at The Bread & Roses Theatre on Sunday 2nd February at 5pm, it’s part of the Rosebuds Comedy Festival. Further information and booking are available here.

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