Wild Card Kitty talks to HeraldScotland about striptease, replying to heckles in character, and why she's happy for her mum and dad not to see her show.
Tell us about your Fringe show
The Showgirl Show is essentially a one-woman variety show. I'm trying out different character comedy and mixing that with hosting and sharing real-life stories and anecdotes from my experience in performing Burlesque and as a Showgirl, all hopefully amusing or engaging. The audiences have seemed to enjoy it thus far!
How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?
It's been a while coming but it's good! Monumentally exhausting, so I'm pacing myself but it's an amazing opportunity - it creeps up so fast!
Best live act seen at Fringe?
I'll let you know when I get a chance to see another show!
Best thing about the Fringe?
The range of performance that the public are open to seeing. The phrase 'It's The Fringe' by way of explaining an act or show that is almost unexplainable is in the Edinburgh dictionary, I'm sure.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
Despite being incredibly busy, if you're doing a solo show as a solo performer (i.e. you're producing, flyering etc yourself too) the Fringe is actually quite isolating.
If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?
Earning money or taking one of those 'holi-day' things I've heard about.
What do your family think of your show?
They've yet to see it. I've only been performing comedy for 10 months now but my mum and one of my sisters have seen me perform comedy and think I'm very funny. They're happy that I'm happy. Given that one of my new characters in the Showgirl Show - Katya Balzakoff, loves f*cking, I'm OK with my mum and dad potentially NOT seeing the show...
How do you combat pre-gig nerves?
Deep breathing, concentrate on other things and remember what Sharon Needles from RuPaul's Drag Race says: 'Booing is just cheering from ghosts.'
Worst on stage experience?
I've done everything from getting stuck in my corset while stripteasing to have the microphone fall apart (yesterday!) on stage. Bring it! It's all good material.
How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?
I've not had any really bad heckling yet, but I try to respond in character. I have a few responses prepared but honestly we'll see what happens at the time.
What do you love about Scotland?
The sense of humour and openness to idiocy.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
It's completely unfazed by the Fringe now - it's a really safe place to put on so many provocative, interesting, exciting, political or offensive shows.
What's the most Scottish thing you've done?
I am Scottish, so everything!
Who's your favourite Scottish comedian?
The Scottish circuit is where I'm based so I'm going to remain unbiased at this point...
Favourite joke?
I have kind of a dry and absurd sense of humour so I laugh at very strange things. Right now however, Fringepig.co.uk is making me laugh- it's the site that reviews Edinburgh Fringe reviewers... it's keeping me levelheaded about any forthcoming reviews!
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