Podcast queen and award-winning Irish stand-up Alison Spittle returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show Wet, a show that, as you can see from our conversation with Alison, has gone through some changes because Alison is not indifferent to her comedy material. We talked to Alison about her show and why you should bring spices to the Fringe…
Funny Women: Body indifference sounds like a great movement, would you say you have achieved this yet?
Alison Spittle: No and to be honest I’ve taken it out of the show for this reason, I’ve only done it this week. I think the subject deserves more time and thought from me. The show as it stands is about contraception, power structures of a hand job and there’s still a bit of aqua-aerobics. I don’t want to do a show that I don’t fully stand behind.
I’m enjoying the process of writing and changing things around. In regards to body indifference, I think it would make the world a much better place if we had more indifference in general.
FW: How does it feel to be returning to a ‘back to normal’ Edinburgh Fringe?
AS: It feels fantastic, although I wish I took the risk and went up for the fringe last year. people didn’t lose money and audiences were packing out rooms. This year there will be way more shows than last year but I’m hoping there will be way more audience too. I shall be living with super lovely people and I’m already planning what to pack. I love it.
FW: Have you got any tips for comedians going up to the festival for the first time?
AS: Socialise and have time for yourself to reflect. Stay up for the firework festival and bring up cooking spices with you in a pill sorter box.
FW: Who are the funny women are you hoping to see in Edinburgh this year?
AS: So many, first off Celya AB and Eleanor Tiernan, my festival flatmates. Previews I’ve seen -Sikisa, Jess Fostekew, Sara Barron, and Elf Lyons, I’ve seen their shows and they were top drawer.
Shows I haven’t seen yet but know they’ll be great? Julie Jay, Ruth Hunter, Helen Bauer, Mickey Overman, Sophie Duker, Olga Koch, Erika Ehler, and Heidi Regan.
Alison Spittle’s new stand-up show Wet will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Attic for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
