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 Chris Forbes about his show Father Christmas.
What can you tell me about your show?
It’s a deeply personal show about how my relationship with Christmas has evolved over the years due to some significant events that have happened during the festive period. It’s a show about family and traditions and how our connection to the magic of Christmas changes as we grow older. Christmas is a time that really heightens the emotion we are feeling – both bad and good ones – so it’s a great theme to explore in a show.
It’s a deeply personal show about how my relationship with Christmas has evolved over the years due to some significant events that have happened during the festive period. It’s a show about family and traditions and how our connection to the magic of Christmas changes as we grow older. Christmas is a time that really heightens the emotion we are feeling – both bad and good ones – so it’s a great theme to explore in a show.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
This show is very much a storytelling show that draws on personal experience and observational comedy. I like to think there’s a good balance between the comedy and the slightly heavier themes explored. There’s also a slide show so if people don’t like the comedy they can just enjoy the photos!
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Doing a Christmas themed show during the fringe has been an idea bouncing around in my head for a few years but I think when my daughter was born last December at Christmas time, that really cemented the concept for me.
Doing a Christmas themed show during the fringe has been an idea bouncing around in my head for a few years but I think when my daughter was born last December at Christmas time, that really cemented the concept for me.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
As mentioned, my daughter being born last December has meant the content and emotions of the show are at the very forefront of my mind so it’s a show that feels very real and raw. On the other hand, some of the other main elements of the show explore events that happened many years ago and it’s only just begun to feel right to talk about them. Once you feel the itch to do a show about something, its hard as a creative person not to dive in.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ll be commuting every day from my wee village in Renfrewshire so I think mentally that will really help me over the course of the month because it takes me out of the bubble each day and going home to my wonderful wife and kids will ground me and remind me of what’s really important. Physically, just walking around Edinburgh will be work out enough! Lol! My show is early afternoon too so there won’t be too many late nights – well, other than when the baby is keeping us up!
I’ll be commuting every day from my wee village in Renfrewshire so I think mentally that will really help me over the course of the month because it takes me out of the bubble each day and going home to my wonderful wife and kids will ground me and remind me of what’s really important. Physically, just walking around Edinburgh will be work out enough! Lol! My show is early afternoon too so there won’t be too many late nights – well, other than when the baby is keeping us up!
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?
A Christmas Cracker would be very fitting for this show! Complete with terrible Christmas cracker joke!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
Music. Being able to tune out and escape with my headphones in as you walk around or commute really helps me not feel too overwhelmed by the magnitude of the Fringe. This year it’ll be particularly important as I’ll be hearing Christmas songs every day for a month in my show.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
As long as I feel like I’ve performed my show to the best of my ability, I think that’s all the success we can hope for as performers. We’ve worked hard to prepare shows to share with people and we should be grateful we get a chance to share our work with people from all over the world. Not melting in my Christmas jumper would also be a success!
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I’m a big advocate for supporting local Scottish acts performing at the fringe so I always encourage people to go and see as many as possible instead of just the big names in the big venues. Outside of that, I’m a big fan of surreal clown comedian Mr Chonkers who’s doing one WIP show only
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Seems cliché but if you get the chance it really is worth going up Arthurs seat!
Seems cliché but if you get the chance it really is worth going up Arthurs seat!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Heartfelt, funny, festive, uplifting, personal
Chris Forbes: Father Christmas runs at Monkey Barrel 2 throughout the Fringe. For tickets visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/chris-forbes-father-christmas
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