She’s enjoyed a sell out debut and clocked up three million hits on YouTube but now comedian Jenny Bede is addressing her biological clock and bringing her new show Eggtime to the Edinburgh Fringe. We talked to Jenny about her new show, making it on YouTube and how she tries to keep her biological clock quiet. For now…
Funny Women: What is Eggtime about?
Jenny Bede: Eggtime is about suddenly realising I want a baby while still feeling like a baby myself. It explores modern dating, relationships and chicken nuggets.
FW: What inspired you to write a show about your biological clock?
JB: Well my biological clock was being so insistent about me having a baby, I thought writing a show about it all would be the next best thing and might shut it up a bit. If you were wondering, my biological clock has the voice of Gregg Wallace from Masterchef. I’m not sure why, but its terrifying.‘COME ONNNNNNN, TIME IS NEARLY UP!! MAKE ME A YUMMY PUDDING’ etc etc.
FW: How would you describe your comedy style?
JB: Informal and chatty with periods of mania.
FW: You got into comedy by creating your own YouTube videos, is this a pathway you’d recommend to budding comedians?
JB: I’m not sure I would anymore. YouTube has changed quite a bit and I think its harder to stand out now. I was quite lucky; I made my videos while it was still quite a new platform, but now it’s flooded with content and its not as easy to get things seen. Obviously it’s never a bad idea to make something, you’ll always learn and improve and I think its important to take control of your own career, but I think live stage time is probably more valuable. I was terrified of performing live initially; that’s why I did the online sketches, but gigging consistently is what has made me a better and more confident comedian.
FW: Who are you favourite funny women?
JB: Maria Bamford, Naomi Ekperegin, Suzi Ruffell, Amy Hoggart and my mother.
Jenny Bede’s Eggtime is at the Pleasance Dome from 2nd-28th (not 14th) August. For tickets and more information click here!
