Shane Torres answers our questions ahead of Shane Torres: Skinned Knees heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Shane Torres makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut with Shane Torres: Skinned Knees, a show about family, grief and the emotions that come with stepping up to hold everything together when everyone else is gone. Reflecting on growing up around a more traditional version of manhood, Shane explores how his parents’ lives - and deaths - shaped him. We chat to Shane about the weight of topics, masculinity, …and jokes.

Tell us about Skinned Knees and how you came to write it?

It was something that I had been marinating on for a while. I wanted to be sure that the show's jokes were going to be at a level where I felt like they were not cheap considering the weight of what I am talking about. Since the material is about a few devastating moments in my life.

How much of the mindset you were taught growing up still shapes the way you move through the world?

That’s a good question. I would say a fair amount in that I sometimes just have a reaction instead of mindset. Now as I have hopefully matured a bit I don’t fly off the handle and actually take the time to think about how to do and handle things as opposed to just going with my first instinct which sometimes is correct, but often times poorly executed.

Your parents sit at the heart of the show. How has your understanding of them changed as you've gotten older?

Your folks are remarkably flawed and you see that most when you think about how they failed you even when you had a great one. Sometimes when they fail you, they are responsible, but it’s not their fault. Sometimes they just get lucky when things go right.

Was there a moment when you realised you related to masculinity differently from the people around you?

My whole fucking childhood. From playing football to being into certain types of art to having a single mother raise me. To seeing my father’s troubles and shortcomings. To have two brothers that were wild.

What do you think you've emotionally inherited from your parents that still shapes you today?

I think I got a sense of being understanding from both of them, but through different lessons. My mother through grace and patience. My father through his mistakes and immaturity.

Did writing the show change the way you think about your childhood?

I would say it did, but I think it confirmed a few things as well. It made me dig a little deeper on certain things we never talked about with my family and cemented my beliefs about things from my childhood as well.

Do you hope audiences recognise something about themselves in Skinned Knees, even if their lives look very different from yours?

I would certainly hope so, but they might not. I’m fine with that, but I think Skinned Knees will get my perspective and points across even if folks don’t identify with them personally.

Shane Torres: Skinned Knees will be performed at 8:50pm at Assembly Roxy from 5th – 30th August. Booking link: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/shane-torres