Gabby Best has been busy. Very busy. After winning the 2012 Main Funny Women Award she has been on a whirlwind of gigs, mentoring men for the 'Funny Women Challenge the Men' Charity Challenge, and promotional activites for Benefit Cosmetics.We caught up with Gabby to chat strange accents, keeping comedians in jars next to her bed, and Dame Edna….
Funny Women: How did you get started in comedy?
Gabby Best: I've done characters and impressions since I was tiny… I think my parents always knew to expect the worst. It just so happened my first job out of drama school was NewsRevue… Acting, writing and improvising all day was a bit like crack to me… so I kept on doing it.
FW: What’s been going on for you since you won the Main Funny Women Award last year?
GB: Marijana and I have been doing loads of lovely gigs and working with some really interesting people… I'm currently busy translating a room full of notebooks / post it notes / voice recordings into a one hour show and working on some filmed sketches. I've also created a new character for Benefit, so there are some exciting plans afoot for her!
FW: Which female comedians are your comedy inspiration?
GB: Julia Davis and Caroline Aherne are the patron saints of character stuff for me… They're dark without ever being cruel and the characters- no matter how outlandish – are always real. I could watch Maria Bamford all day (and regularly do), I'd quite like to keep her in a jar next to my bed… Carol Channing only needs to bat an eyelid and I'm gone, she's a masterclass in physical comedy. Joan Rivers, Victoria Wood, Tig Notaro… and am I allowed to say Dame Edna? I'm saying Dame Edna.
FW: Who do you think are the top new female acts? Any idea who is the next ‘big thing’?
GB: Oh god, that's a bit Sophie's Choice! I saw Suzy Ruffell the other day, she's so at ease on stage, lovely to watch. Aisling Bea is bloody funny and I'm excited to see the next wave of Funny Women as this year's competition unfolds…
FW: What is the weirdest gig you’ve ever done?
GB: I turned up to a gig a couple of months ago and was greeted by the front of house lady… in an accent almost identical to Marijana's. The intonation – everything. It was most unsettling. She watched the entire set from the doorway… I was cacking it, but oddly enough she seemed to enjoy it!
FW: What can we expect from your show?
GB: It's a poison pen letter to Insomnia. Lots more Marijana, some new characters and a bit of me, talking. (it'snotstraightstandupit'snotstraightstandupit'snotstraightstandup) So – yep, some straight stand-up. Which I've never done before. So that's terrifying.
FW: Do you have any advice for any acts thinking of entering the Awards this year?
GB: Absolutely do it. Scare yourself into action. I very nearly talked myself out it and I wouldn't have had the brilliant year I've had if I'd listened to me… Apart from anything else, it's a lovely way to meet fellow comedians, and make some mates on the circuit.
Come and see Gabby's Work in Progress at the Leicester Square Theatre on Wednesday 8th May. Buy tickets HERE
Pictured: Gabby as her alter-ego Marijana
