Profile: James Drife

Abstract

Not many people can say that they are a star act at the Edinburgh fringe. Now add being a famous researcher and prominent professor on top of that. Kay Brennan talks to the man who fits the bill “I nearly fainted at my first delivery,” admits the professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, describing his introduction to obstetrics as a medical student at Edinburgh University. “Perhaps because we were called out after spending an evening at the local hostelry.” But the experience didn't discourage him, and he became a senior house officer in obstetrics and gynaecology straight after his preregistration year. “I've no regrets about entering the field so young,” he says. “It is such a broad specialty that it gives you experience of the whole range of medicine from psychiatry to surgery.” As a young doctor James formed the Abracadabarets, a stand up comedy act, with some college friends. “The show was very non-medical. We weren't trying to trade on being doctors. It was more a send up of Edinburgh and a parody of popular radio shows at the time,” he recalls. They soon gained local celebrity status at the Edinburgh fringe, the free for all relation of the festival, which picks out new talent. “We chose the name as it would mean we'd be top of the bill in the alphabetical listings. It's all about word of mouth at the …