/ Don't hate the media, become the media.Jello Biafra

You’ve also been part of several podcasts including Paradise Found and A Lovely Time, how different is your approach to your podcasts compared to your comedy?

 

In podcasts, that is me. Completely. That is me talking. Not to labour the point, but that is the most normal version of myself. That is the girl you go to the supermarket with. Me on stage is an exaggerated version of the opposite of everything I think, but in this kind of really naive way. It sounds a bit naff written down, but it just works. 

 

As an autistic stand up what are the biggest challenges you’ve faced bringing your unique style of comedy to stages?

 

I love this question! Honestly, I think writing comedy that is relatable to people en mass. I have ideas in my head that I will find really funny, but that won’t make sense to anyone else until I find the exact way to paint the picture. I know this sounds like all comedy, but you make such “out-there” connections in your mind when you’re autistic, it’s a lot more pronounced. 

 

Can you tell me a little bit about She-Devil, what can fringe audiences expect?

 

At the heart of it, She-Devil is a surreal stand up show about power. It is me recounting my experiences with men over the years from my flat earther incel husband, to my lonely EDL uncle, to my cancelled comedian friend. The viewpoint I perform the show from is that of a naive, pick me girl, who thinks that literally everything that happens to her is “fine”. And there is no limit on what she will put up with. I mean, this girl defends witch hunters. But with every step in the show, she gets closer and closer to realising her situation. She finally finds her people, a group of typical nice guys and all seems well. However, there is a folk-horror ending that people won’t want to miss. 

 

I’ve been chuckling at the blurb for your show “Jain isn’t like other girls. She’s worse.” It’s an opening line that says a lot that also makes me instantly like you. When creating your shows have you always aimed to use yourself and your own lived experiences as your creative inspiration?

 

Thank you. Yes absolutely. The end of this show is inspired by some pretty horrible bullying I went through a couple of years ago on the Manchester circuit. I was very…activated comedically by that experience. I wanted that experience to be the ending of the show, so basically started with that and worked backwards. 

 

I have to ask, if you’re at a dinner party what conspiracy theory would you regale your fellow guests with? 

 

The biggest conspiracy theory of all…My boobs sagging a bit. It makes no sense?! I’ve not had children or anything. No lifestyle changes. I’m convinced someone from the government is coming in and pulling on them at night. This goes all the way to the top. 

 

Once a show is running, and you’re through the previews, do you allow yourself some flexibility with your material or are you open to switching it up, especially during a month long fringe run?

 

From what I understand, you basically aren’t allowed. I think that is a shame, because I think it would be so interesting if we could all go with the flow everyday. Because you are being reviewed, they need to see the same show every time, and I guess people buying tickets want to see exactly what the audience the night before saw. I guess that takes a bit of the pressure off but I would love to be working and changing a show for a full run. 

 

How do you unwind after a show?

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I usually come home and talk non-stop to my partner. Like just ranting through every detail of the gig (shout out to Barnaby, they put up with a lot). If they aren’t available, I tend to take a shower then get into bed and watch YouTube. I am a YouTube obsessive, I basically only ever watch YouTube. It’s so soothing.