Angela Barnes on her show Come As You Are
Tell us about your Fringe show
My show is called "Come As You Are". It's about where I'm at in my life, and about embracing your flaws, and learning to love them. It's quite a personal show, but there are jokes in it, I promise!
Best thing about the Fringe?
My favourite thing about the Fringe is getting to hang out with some of my most favourite people in the world. Being on the circuit means getting to see work colleagues maybe once or twice a year, so having a huge wodge of us in one city for a month is wonderful. And of course, the sheer amount of things to see.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
I think that Wednesday in week two. You know it is coming. You are going to be exhausted, and feel that you have given everything you have to give and can't go on. But you've just got to get through it and come out the other side. Drink a gin, eat a cake and get over yourself and get through it.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
I did my 1st play at the Fringe in 1995. It was a student play called “The Beast Of Penprivvy”. I fell in love with the Fringe that year, and have been back most years since. My first year doing comedy was 2010. This will be just my 2nd solo show.
Favourite Fringe venue?
I loved being in the Cellar in the Pleasance Courtyard last year, such an intimate, lovely room. It will always have a special place in my heart as it's where I did my first solo show.
Best Fringe memory?
I think it was 2010 or maybe 2011, and I was at the Stand ‘end of Fringe’ party. I was in a room with Kevin Eldon playing guitar, and loads of other comics I was a huge fan of having a sing-song. And I thought, "yup, this'll do"
Best heckle?
I think the nicest heckle I got was someone asking "what shade hair dye do you use?", not the best time to ask perhaps, but I took it as a compliment.
Craziest on stage experience?
I had to perform to 35,000 people in Hyde Park for Radio 2, Live in Hyde Park 2012. It was terrifying. I had to go on after Jessie J and before Tom Jones. The audience were not expecting me. They were not happy that I wasn't Tom. But I did it!
What’s on your rider?
Ha! Oh my, I wouldn't dare demand anything, who do I think I am? I always have a bottle of water on stage as I get a really dry mouth over an hour. Oh and tissues. I never go anywhere without a tissue.
How do you wind down after a show?
It depends how the show has gone. Sometimes I just want to sit in a quiet room and think about what I'm doing with my life. Sometimes I am buzzing, and want to have a glass of wine and talk incessantly at whoever will listen. Mostly I pack up my things, go back to the flat and have a cup of tea.
What do you love about Scotland? and What do you like about Edinburgh?
I love that hoppy smell when I get off the train, it evokes so many memories of the 20 years I've been coming to the Fringe. It's the smell of fear, hope and ultimately, exhaustion. And I love it.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
I once had haggis for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I bloody love the stuff, and only eat it during the Fringe .
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
Ooh, that's a tough one. I'm not sure that I can answer that. I've always had a lovely time when I've played Scottish clubs. I think in general that Scottish audiences want to have a good time, and will make sure that they do. I guess the Fringe is different as the audience is usually a mix of people from all over, so the audience is truly different at every performance.
Favourite joke?
From my show? Well, I don't want to give away spoilers! My favourite playground joke that isn't mine is:
Q: What's yellow and smells of bananas
A: Monkey sick
Angela will be performing ‘Come As You Are’ nightly at 8.15pm throughout the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Pleasance Courtyard.
Direct link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Angela%20Barnes%3A%20Come%20As%20You%20Are%22
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