“Have I Got News for You” host Paul Merton is relishing a return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer alongside his wife and fellow comedian Suki Webster.
The couple, who have become a regular highlight at the festival, will once again be fronting their celebrated improv comedy show at The Pleasance.
Speaking from London ahead of their August run, Merton reflected on his long-standing relationship with the Fringe, which dates back to the 1980s.
“When you first come to Edinburgh, you haven’t got a great deal of money or support,” Merton told Scotland Tonight.
“But now we have a very loyal audience and we can really just relax and do the show. There’s none of that early-career stress anymore.”
Webster echoed that sentiment, highlighting the festival’s sense of community.
“It’s just great fun, you run into all your friends,” she said. “You might not see each other in London for months, but in Edinburgh you bump into everyone. It’s like a reunion every year.”
Their improv show is entirely unscripted, fuelled by audience suggestions and spontaneous performances from a rotating cast of comedians.
Merton describes it as “expect the unexpected,” noting that no two shows are ever the same. “We have different guests every day, play different games every day. That’s the fun of it – it’s always fresh.”
Webster added that while improvisation might seem daunting, the support of trusted collaborators makes all the difference. “You’re never alone on stage. If one of us goes blank, someone else picks it up. It’s just like having a conversation – there’s always an answer.”
Merton likened their stage work to playtime. He said: “It’s like we never grew up. We just play. And when audiences see you having fun, they join in with the joy of it. That’s what makes it special.”
The couple admit that not every improv show is successful, and they both acknowledge that bad improvisation can be hard to watch. But, as Merton puts it: “The beauty of improv is you can always pivot. If something’s not working, you change it immediately.”
The couple’s chemistry on stage is helped, of course, by their real-life relationship. “Being married is a plus,” said Webster. “You know each other so well. You can just play together and have fun.”
“We get on in shows because we get on in life,” added Merton. “And what holds us together is a shared sense of humour – and a legally binding contract!”
The show features a stellar lineup of guests including Mike McShane of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, musical improviser Kirsty Newton, and well-known comics such as Rachel Parris, Fred MacAulay, Julian Clary, and Marcus Brigstocke.
“We’ve built up a repertoire of brilliant performers over the years,” said Merton. “Even if the audience doesn’t know who’s coming on that night, the reaction when they appear is always fantastic.”
The couple have even welcomed guests with no previous improv experience, including Doctor Who star David Tennant earlier this year.
“He was terrified,” said Webster. “But he was absolutely brilliant. We always do a little workshop beforehand to help people feel comfortable and play to their strengths.”
Merton agreed: “That anxiety often turns into an incredible high after the show. David Mitchell was the same. They didn’t know quite what hit them, but they loved it.”
The key to good improv, they say, isn’t just being funny, it’s being a team player. “If someone’s a good listener and works well with others, they’ll probably take to improv really well,” said Merton.
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