Interview with Leo Hincks

Comedy has the unique ability to tackle life's biggest emotions with honesty, vulnerability and, of course, laughter. In Emotional Cowboy, Leo Hincks combines heartfelt storytelling with sharp comedy to explore modern masculinity, relationships and the complexities of growing up. Ahead of the show's Edinburgh Fringe performances, I spoke with Leo Hincks about the inspiration behind the show, turning personal experiences into comedy, and why audiences are increasingly embracing emotional openness on stage.

Where did the idea of the "Emotional Cowboy" come from?

The title itself is a lyric from the song Grapevine by Weyes Blood, a comfort song I would listen to on long train journeys. The lyric prompted one of my many grasps for attention, adopting a cowboy style to my wardrobe. As for the show, the idea came after I competed in the finals of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards in 2024. After losing, I decided I would base a show around the concept of being a sore loser, which fits well into the nature of my comedy.

How would you describe the show to someone who has never seen your work?

It’s basically like everyone’s bad dream of how a stand-up show could go. I play an exaggerated version of myself who is desperate for fame and validation - trust me it’s exaggerated. It starts off like a normal set but soon falls apart into a surreal meltdown as I try to constantly reinvent myself for approval. It’s like if a really annoying person’s secret diary got turned into a play, and that annoying person is me!

How important is vulnerability in your comedy?

Vulnerability is essential to Emotional Cowboy. I’ve never found stand-up too vulnerable as I’ve been doing it as this version of myself - this show is really where I confront the boundaries of that. I really embarrass myself in this show by exposing parts of myself (emotional not physical of course), that’s part of the fun. I’m not being vulnerable for approval, I’m doing it so other people recognise a bit of themselves in the embarrassment.

Why do you think audiences connect with emotionally honest material?

I disagree with the idea that comedy allows you to switch off your brain, I think great comedy can make you feel like part of your brain is on stage. My favourite comedians always make me feel less alone. Emotional honesty can be anything from talking about grief to talking about hating the weather, it’s a beautiful way to see bits of yourself in other people. That’s genuinely why I love watching and performing comedy.

How has the show changed during development?

Each time I do the show it becomes more cinematic and distorted. Whilst the basic script has mostly stayed consistent, the current version of the show feels like if the original’s aspect ratio went from iPhone to IMAX. There’s now fake blood, dance sequences and the third act’s tone feels like a bad trip. It’s still first and foremost a very fun and unserious show.

How do you balance sincerity and humour?

I think that’s basically what the show is about, it’s a broken see-saw of honesty and distraction. With alternative comedy, there’s this idea that you can hide behind a character, that way it’s not you failing, it’s your character. The show really utilises this idea and shows how my inability to be genuine will result in my downfall.

What have you learned about yourself through creating the piece?

I’ve really had to confront my own insecurities as they are a major plot device in the show. I have to make fun of myself without hurting myself in the process, it’s actually been very therapeutic to pick apart my insecurities for the stage. I’ve also learned my IBS is definitely triggered by pre-show nerves but I don’t think I’ve earned that level of honesty yet!

How do you know when a personal story belongs on stage?

I don’t think you’ll ever know until you put it out there. In the show I discuss the death of my grandma. It was not at all my intention to have grief be an element in the show, but it came very naturally in the writing process. If my exploration of grief bombed I wouldn’t keep it in the show, but enough people have connected for me to keep it.

What makes Edinburgh an exciting place to perform?

It just feels absolutely crammed with creativity and optimism. I will always think of Lolly Adefope calling it “Summer Camp”, that’s the energy Im going into it with. I’m doing 26 shows, they aren’t all going to be hits - Im excited to fail and get back up again.

What conversations do you hope the show starts?

A big part of the show is the idea of insecurities and how much they really matter. Something can feel like the end of the world one day and two years later you look back on it and laugh. I’d love for people to think about their own ridiculous insecurities and realise how absurd they can be.

What would surprise people most about the show?

The notes app entries I read out may seem like perfectly constructed fake diary entries but they are all real. I’ve used that app as a form of journaling for ten years and now all my former woes make great content!

If audiences remember one thing, what would you like it to be?

My impression of a monkey being shown a card trick - you really have to see it to believe it.

Funny, thoughtful and refreshingly sincere, Emotional Cowboy demonstrates that vulnerability and comedy make a surprisingly perfect partnership. I want to thank Leo Hincks for speaking with me, and Emotional Cowboy plays at the Gilded Balloon Teviot - Turret at 3.50 pm from the 5^th to the 31^st of August (except 17^th). More information can be found via the Ed Fringe website.