Festival Favourites

Words Kate Copstick   

Did you always want to be a stand-up?
Goodness me, no! When I was at primary school I was determined to be a nun someday. Then I lost my faith, but I still wanted to save the world, so I set my heart on being a war reporter like Kate Adie. I drifted into stand-up, which was only meant to be a hobby, and forgot about saving the world. Maybe I’ve still got time to change direction and do my bit – on the plus side the world is clearly way more in need of salvation than it was when I was little.

16 years in Edinburgh?  Is it ‘always a pleasure, never a chore’?

It’s always a pleasure and always a chore. I’m at the stage of writing new material, which means sitting inside at my computer on a sunny day while my husband and children are playing in the park. However, the chore aspect is entirely worth it when I get off the train at Waverley station and launch myself into the glorious chaos of the Fringe.

Does it help being a two-performer family?

No! My husband performed at the festival for years, but he’s busy being a serious actor now, so he doesn’t bring shows to Edinburgh anymore.

I envy other performers whose partners don’t know anything about comedy because they can pretend the Fringe is a proper job. Justin knows that I’m only working for one hour a day and having fun for the rest of the time.

You do so much else now, what keeps you coming back to stand-up?

There’s nothing like live stand-up. It’s still the most fun you can have with your clothes on (or off if you’re Phil Nichol). Plus middle-aged women don’t get much of a platform elsewhere, so I’ll be happy to come back for as long as you’ll have me.

WHERE & WHEN

Pleasance Courtyard – Cabaret Bar

6.40 pm, 31 Jul–17 Aug (not 12), from £8