Critically acclaimed comedian Tiff Stevenson performs her stand-up show Sexy Brain at Soho Theatre this bank holiday weekend. Whilst living in Los Angeles, in early 2020, Tiff had an out-of-body experience and midlife crisis which sent her already racing brain into overdrive. Add to that a pandemic and a self-diagnosis of ADHD when failing to find her laptop for two days, then abandoning six different ADHD surveys to make coffee (which she then left to get cold) Tiff decided she didn’t need a doctor to diagnose what she has… which is a very SEXY BRAIN! We spoke to Tiff and got some excellent advice on how to look after yourself during the Fringe…
Funny Women: Tell us about your show.
Tiff Stevenson: It’s an hour about trying to understand why my brain is so sexy and whether I’ve inherited it from my mother. It’s also about midlife crisis, perimenopause, getting stoned and thinking you are going to die, changing our minds, opening our hearts, pubic hair, Karens, and Lethal Weapon 3.
FW: You have self-diagnosed yourself with ADHD, women and neuro-divergence seem to be a much neglected medical field, will you be examining this in your show?
TF: I’ll be talking about how my brain works but also I hate labels so let’s see how that goes
FW: How does it feel to be returning to a ‘back to normal’ Edinburgh Fringe?
TS: Exciting, scary, and wondering how my digestive system will cope with a months worth of carb and booze
FW: Have you got any tips for comedians going up to the festival for the first time?
TS: It’s been said plenty, but run your own race. The festival is exciting but overwhelming so take some time for yourself that is not show-related. Go to Portobello beach, climb Arthur’s Seat and get out of your own head. Also, speak to someone who isn’t at the festival so you realise that one city isn’t the entire world.
FW: Who are the funny women are you hoping to see in Edinburgh this year?
TS: Michelle Shaughnessy, Alice Fraser, Alison Spittle, Sikisa, Eleanor Tiernan, Yuriko Kotani, Rachel Fairburn, and Laura Davis.
Tiff Stevenson’s new stand up show Sexy Brain is at Soho Theatre (amongst other UK venues) at 7:15 pm Fri 19 May – Tues 23 May, for tickets click here
