Ahead of his Edinburgh Fringe debut, Freddie Meredith tells us why the smoking area is comedy's perfect stage

Freddie Meredith: Need a Light? is set entirely in the familiar, hazy world of bad decisions - the smoking area of a nightclub. Featuring an overly friendly stranger who asks for a lighter and never leaves, the show is a hilarious portrait of performative masculinity, awkward oversharing and the desperation to connect. We chat to Freddie Meredith about talking to strangers, oversharing and storytelling

What first inspired you to set an entire show in the smoking area of a nightclub?

I've always loved smoking areas. They're one of the few places where strangers still talk to each other. They're full of people trying to impress, trying to flirt, trying to leave, trying to stay. It felt like the perfect place to trap a character.

The smoking area feels oddly specific but instantly recognisable. What is it about that space that makes it such a rich setting for comedy?

It's where people drop the act a little. You're outside for five minutes with complete strangers, and suddenly they are talking at you about their ex, their job, whether they should move to Australia. It's a really funny contradiction. The conversations are often meaningless, but they can feel strangely important.

Need A Light? deals with loneliness, self-invention and awkward attempts at connection. How much emotional depth is there beneath the comedy?

I don't think the show's about loneliness so much as effort. Watching someone genuinely try to connect with people is funny, but it's also quite hopeful. I think there's something nice about rooting for someone who's giving it a go.

Character comedy often reveals uncomfortable truths through exaggeration. What can a character say about modern social life that a more direct form of stand-up cannot?

It just feels like a more natural way for me to write. I like putting a character in a situation and seeing what they think is happening.

The show takes place over one increasingly chaotic night. How difficult is it to build momentum and narrative within a single setting?

It actually made things easier. A smoking area has a constant stream of people arriving, leaving, oversharing and disappearing again. It's basically built for storytelling.

What do you personally hope to take from Edinburgh Fringe 2026?

I'd love to leave feeling like I've made the show I wanted to make. I'm excited to perform it every day, see how it evolves and meet audiences who'd never normally come across my work. And, selfishly, I just want to have fun.

Freddie Meredith: Need a Light? will be performed at 5:50pm at Pleasance Courtyard from 5th – 30th August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Booking link: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/freddie-meredith-need-light