Lust in Translation, Museum of Comedy
Our Camden Fringe 2025 interview series continues at pace as we aim for 100. Every day will see new interviews published, so do keep checking back to get a real taste of what’s to come when the festival opens on 28 July at venues all across London. You can find all our currently published interviews here.
Giacinto Palmieri will be bringing his show, Lust in Translation to Museum of Comedy for just one performance on 3 August. His stand up comedy show explores the joys of sharing your life with someone who doesn’t share your first language! Thankfully Giacinto speaks much better English than we do Italian to make this interview much easier for us!
What can audiences expect from the show?
The show is based on the experience of me, a native Italian speaker, being married to a native English speaker. This offers me the opportunity to explore a long standing interest of mine, language and language differences, from the point of view of personal experience, with funny anecdotes taken from our married life, episodes of misunderstanding, contrasts in communication styles etc.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
I brought my two previous shows to Camden Fringe: Ride of the Wagnerian and Women, Nietzsche and I. I love Camden Fringe because it is in London, where I live, so it gives me the chance to invite people who live here and don’t go to festivals around the country.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
The experience of meeting, and then marrying, a lovely woman with whom I don’t share the first language. I think I should credit her as co-author.
How long have you been working on the play?
I have been collecting ideas since meeting Alison seven years ago, but I started working on the structure in April, in preparation for Brighton Fringe, where I debuted this. And a comedy show is never finished, it evolves all the time, so I am still working on it.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
It is still changing so much from one performance to the next. Being a stand-up comedy show, I did not put it on paper word-by-word, but only the headlines and the main structure, so it is very fluid.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
Yes, I would like to develop it further and bring it to the Edinburgh Fringe next year.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
I was told that I look a bit like Billy Crystal, so I think he should get the part… lucky him!
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
A colour that my wife can recognise, and name, but I can’t… so you should ask her.
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
There’s clearly an Italian flavour, but not traditional… maybe a pizza with ananas… just to irritate the traditionalists.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
All those songs in English in which I hear words which are completely different from those my wife hears… for instance, I was absolutely sure that the song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers contained the words “Tell Miranda” and I almost convinced my wife of it!
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world where would it be?
No O2 Arena, thanks. I might even pass the Hammersmith Apollo. I like small-ish venues like the Soho Theatre or the Leicester Square Theatre.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
A pen and a piece of paper… I can’t tell you how because it would be a spoiler.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
Any showy piece of scenery would distract the audience from me and I too self-centered to want that.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
To never listen to any piece of advice. It stimulated my taste for paradox.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Just do it, it’s much less stressful and expensive than Edinburgh, particularly if you live in London.
Thanks to Giacinto for finding the time to chat. Lust in Translation will play at Museum of Comedy on Sunday 3 August.
