Interview: Surreal Character Comic Ali Brice introduces Eric Meat Gets The Chop at Edinburgh Fringe
Weirdo comedian Ali Brice returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this year channeling the one and only Eric Meat! We caught up with Ali to talk about the UK’s oldest social media manager, audience participation, comedy inspirations, and Things To Do in Edinburgh (and London)!
Ali Brice Presents Eric Meat Gets the Chop | PBH’s Free Fringe @ Carbon | 5 – 24 August 2025 | FREE
Tell us about your show Eric Meat Gets the Chop – how did the ‘the UK’s oldest social media manager’ character come about?
I am a social media manager in real life. I am turning 40 next year. While I still feel like I am in my 20s, I also feel ancient in terms of social media.
I was also made redundant in June 2024. But then re-employed by the company that got rid of me in October 2024. It was essentially a 3 month paid holiday, albeit with a strong undercurrent of stress.
It struck me that that might be a good story for Eric Meat. Write about what you know after all!
It evolved from him being made redundant into him having – in his words – an ‘enforced sabbatical’. I’m pretty sure his colleagues just needed a break from him! He’s a lovely man, but also quite lonely. He definitely lives to work, rather than works to live. And he really believes all his best friends are in the office. So three months off will have been hard on him.
Ultimately it’s a celebration of work. Most of us have to do it. And most of us enjoy working alongside our colleagues. Eric just takes it to the extreme.
What does he and your interactive style allow you to get away with – and does anyone ever object?
When I am Eric Meat, I have way more confidence than I do normally. I can barely hold a conversation with strangers. But Eric is so happy-go-lucky he can chat to anyone. And he loves it.
People rarely object. There’s a vulnerability to Eric. Even when he reaches the end of his very short temper, there’s still a glint in his eye that lets people know he’s only joking. He’s also an idiot and will argue a point completely unaware that he is in the wrong.
His love of chatting also means the show has no strict form – in fact is it sometimes abandoned entirely.
(I secretly hope that each show goes off the rails and gets abandoned. They’re the best ones!)
Who or what are your comedy influences?
When I discovered comedy it was Ken Dodd and I loved it. Then I loved Lee Evans. As I explored it more I found Reeves & Mortimer, Harry Hill, Big Train, The Fast Show… so many people.
Now I love John Kearns and Pat Cahill doing their 110% show. I love, love, love crowdwork and comedy that takes place in the moment – and those two are masterful together.
I also love Daniel Kitson work in progress shows. His crowdwork is otherworldly. It’s just pure comedy.
What advice would you give to those experiencing the fringe for the first time as a performer?
Just have fun. That’s the main thing.
What are your favourite London and Edinburgh haunts?
The Bill Murray in Angel and Outside the Box in Kingston to see comedy.
Flashback Records and Banquet Records to buy, well, records.
Wings and The Piemaker in Edinburgh for naughty but delicious food.
For inspiration at the Fringe I will be watching Sam Nicoresti, Andy Barr, Sooz Kempner, Lucy Pearman, Adam Larter’s ‘Can You Put A Tail On It‘ show, Dave Bibby and Hermitage Shanks adaptation of Harry and the Hendersons.
But my all-time favourite place to be is in my lounge with my girlfriend Beth and our dog Hamish.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
