In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Bob Koomen about his show Pear.
What can you tell me about your show?
It is an ode to embracing the mess that we are instead of trying to hide, structure, and explain it. It is about someone who tries to impress everyone and in doing that gets stuck in his own self-imposed problems. About seeking for permission and finding out that the only one who can really give you that is you.
It is an ode to embracing the mess that we are instead of trying to hide, structure, and explain it. It is about someone who tries to impress everyone and in doing that gets stuck in his own self-imposed problems. About seeking for permission and finding out that the only one who can really give you that is you.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Surreal. An optimistic, absurdist comedy show.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I don’t really remember a lightbulb moment. It’s the result of making comedy for years and finding out that all these bits seem to be related to this subject. So I wouldn’t call it a lightbulb moment, rather a slowly inflating balloon period. The balloon is now pretty much filled up, so make sure to come see it before it pops.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
For me personally, it is a great moment because it feels like my first show is now at a point where it is ready to be put into the world. For the world, I think it is a great moment as well. We are driving at full speed heading towards a wall and we need someone to turn that wall into a balloon.
For me personally, it is a great moment because it feels like my first show is now at a point where it is ready to be put into the world. For the world, I think it is a great moment as well. We are driving at full speed heading towards a wall and we need someone to turn that wall into a balloon.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Trying to think as little as possible in July. Sitting on benches, walking around, gazing at things, chasing ducks, moving plants, typical Dutch stuff. This way I will have all the space I need when it starts. It always helps me to not do comedy for at least one month per year, so that I start seeing the world as a real person again instead of as a comedian.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
Pears, or pieces of pear, or grapes, depending on ticket sales. If things go really well I might even poach them before handing them out.
Pears, or pieces of pear, or grapes, depending on ticket sales. If things go really well I might even poach them before handing them out.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
I’ll probably be walking around a lot with a bottle of alcohol free beer, so that people think ooh that guy likes a party, but he’s not crazy.
I’ll probably be walking around a lot with a bottle of alcohol free beer, so that people think ooh that guy likes a party, but he’s not crazy.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Finding out that all the people who read this interview came to my show and forwarded this to people they thought would be interested would be the greatest success I could dream of.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
The shows I remember most from visiting the Fringe 2 years ago and from comedians who did shows in my home comedy club Comedytrain in Amsterdam are those by Paul Foot, Lara Ricote, Rob Auton, Tony Law, Dan Tiernan and the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, I liked those a lot.
The shows I remember most from visiting the Fringe 2 years ago and from comedians who did shows in my home comedy club Comedytrain in Amsterdam are those by Paul Foot, Lara Ricote, Rob Auton, Tony Law, Dan Tiernan and the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, I liked those a lot.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I’m not very familiar with Edinburgh yet, I liked the Portobello beach, there’s a nice internet café there where you can head over to my website www.bobkoomen.com, where you can find one of my comedy sets and see if you’d like to come over to my show.
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