Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood, a funny and touching tribute to a much-loved national treasure, is currently playing as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. We spoke to the writer and performer, and star of BBC’s All Together Now, Paulus, about the show and being a devotee of the Queen of Comedy.

What is the concept of the show and how did it come about?

Two gay men share 12 songs by the late, great comedienne Victoria Wood, exploring the notion that her work was a modern Polari for queers in the 80s and 90s, growing up in rural England. 

What is it like to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? How does the experience and audiences compare to other venues around the country?

I’m three shows in and finding the people the other side of the lights to be super kind and up-for-it. We are very lucky to have had a 2.5 year preview process thanks to COVID, so we’re perhaps benefitting from feeling less frantic than shows that are earlier in their gestation period! 

What is it like to work on a one-man show? Do you manage to get other creatives’ input into the piece, especially when you're the writer and performer?

My accompanist, Michael Roulston, is by my side on stage every step of the way – he is well regarded in the cabaret world as one of our greatest accompanists (note I do not say pianist), and I’m so lucky that he’s put up with me – on and off – for 25 years now.  My director Sarah-Louise Young is an Edinburgh Fringe veteran and has been my best friend since the age of 13 – there is no-one I could trust more than her with the role. 

Which is your absolute favourite of Victoria Wood’s works if you had to choose just one?

When it comes to songs, I am very partial to CRUSH, which tells the story of an eleven year old school kid who has fallen in love with a sixteen year old who they see each day at the same bus stop. For sketches, ‘Is It On The Trolley’ – not least because my producer’s husband, Graham Seed, was in it on As Seen On TV. 

Do you have a favourite song or character to perform in the show? 

I don’t perform any of her characters – I play myself and tell an entirely true story of my love for her.  It is shared with honesty and warmth and I hope that fellow fans will join me in celebrating her genius, and newcomers will be inspired to learn more about her brilliance.  Today, I enjoyed singing GO WITH IT most of all – it’s one of three of the more poignant numbers. 

What do you think has made Victoria Wood’s work stand the test of time?

Well, partly quality and the layers of nuance; you can watch an episode of Dinnerladies twenty times and still be finding new nuggets of genius from her and all the ensemble.  Also, I don’t think much changes over the years when it comes to our hopes, desires and disappointments and fallible, fragile humans. Vic saw all this and showed it to us, all tied up in lumpy tights, waitress outfits, tv pastiches and song. 

When there's so much to choose from at the Fringe, why should people come to see Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood? 

You get a badge.  There are actually 5 designs. You can have five – for free. And I’m on at 2.30pm so it’s a nice place to let your lunch go down in the dark.

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood plays at Edinburgh'‘s Assembly Rooms until 28 August, with tickets available here.