It’s been three years since I was last in Edinburgh with my sketch group, Mixed Doubles. In 2013 we were the new kids on the block, blasting in with a new sketch show and being a bit naive about the whole experience. Naivety helped. We had a blast – great crowds, great show and a great month.
This time there’s definitely more pressure. We’ve been in the industry longer, have a few “credits” between us, and have more to prove – especially having had a few years to develop the show Fundraiser.
I remember us all sitting down at the beginning of the year and working out what to do. We had all the sketches we needed and they had great potential, but we did not have a story to link them together. We had three choices: keep to a pure hour of sketch, start again with new sketches or create a storyline around the sketches we already had. We chose the last, which in hindsight was probably the hardest, but we’ve done it and the world of Little Comberton keeps growing and growing.
For me, the creative process of making any show is the most fun. I like devising and creating something from scratch and working with others on an even playing field. If I’ve learnt anything between 2013 and now, it’s to keep challenging yourself as a performer and writer. Last year I entered the Funny Woman Awards with a friend, Cassie Bradley. I had never written anything outside of Mixed Doubles and it really made me think outside my safety box. We had such a laugh and I loved playing around with lots of character ideas that don’t normally come my way. The other thing I’ve found out the hard way is the importance of a good writing spot. It turns out the wall in my living room wasn’t the most inspiring thing to stare at. I’ve now found a little cafe up the road and things seem to come much more naturally!
As Edinburgh looms and final touches and stresses are being dealt with it’s quite easy to have moments of “why am I doing this again?” My character Megan wears a big furry gilet, sexualises everything on stage and talks a lot about waxing! The four of us would love a sell-out run, but this is Edinburgh. We do it for that reward of (hopefully) making a whole room laugh or having that one man in the corner who’s weeping because of Will’s Elephant face, Paul’s magic tricks, Rose’s witch – and maybe even my recorder playing. If that happens just once, then all of this year will have been worth it….
Mixed Doubles: Fundraiser will be at Just the Tonic at the Caves (venue 88) at 5.25pm from 4th – 28th August. For more information and tickets click here!
