Abby Wambaugh is a non-binary American comedian, writer and improviser who lives in Copenhagen and regularly performs in the UK. Having made the finals of the 2021 Funny Women Awards, Abby has appeared as tour support for Sofie Hagen, been shortlisted for the 2022 BBC New Comedy Awards and selected for the Pleasance Comedy Reserve 2023.
Abby created and co-hosts the popular podcast, Help Hole alongside Sofie Hagen and co-hosts one of the top podcasts about life in Denmark, Coping in Copenhagen. Abby has also appeared on BBC’s The Art’s Hour International Comedy Show, BBC’s Comedians Vs. The News, Only Fans LMAOF comedy show, One Bad Mother and Drunk Women Solving Crime.
Tell us about your show?
My show is actually the first three minutes of 17 shows, so that’s what it’s called! Before I started doing comedy I didn’t really like watching it. But after a late miscarriage in October 2020, I woke up in hospital and high on anaesthesia and grief, I decided to start doing stand-up. It’s not the way I generally encourage people to deal with a loss, but I did it, I’m still doing it, and now I’ve fallen in love with all the things that comedy can be. So, my debut show is three minutes of all the great ideas I’ve had for what my debut show could be.
Has Funny Women played a role in your stand-up?
I got into the Funny Women Stage Award final in 2021 after I performed stand-up live about eight times. It was a really important early comedy experience for me. It was so encouraging to get to the final, and the Funny Women team was so helpful all the way through. I made some of my first comedy buddies at the awards – Bronwyn Sweeney and I did a split bill in Edinburgh in 2022, and Lara Ricote is directing this show!
How does it feel to be performing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I was in Edinburgh for the whole month last year as part of the Pleasance Reserve, and I got to perform 15 minutes a night, see a million shows and get paid! Honestly, it was cushy, inspiring and wonderful.
This year I am so excited to be doing an hour that I love and feel so grateful to the many people who have just been joyfully (I think?!) helping me make it better, and to my partner and kids for making this all possible for me.
I’m going to fly back to Denmark for one day during the run for one of my children’s first day of school. I cannot believe my luck that I live in a reality where I’m able to fly home to Copenhagen to see my beautiful family, play ball with my dog and perform at Edinburgh Fringe Festival where I do an impression of a vacuum cleaner every night.
I also get to record my podcast, Help Hole, which I co-host with my friend Sofie Hagen, in person at the Fringe which is another one of my favourite things to do.
Have you got any tips for comedians going up to the festival for the first time?
This year my goals are to always have snacks in my pockets and stand in the sunshine. I would definitely recommend all comedians to do this!
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
Lara Ricote, Dee Allum, Zoe Brownstone, Tarot, Nina Conti, Mel McGlensey, Patti Harrison, Cat Cohen, Katie Green, and One Man Musical by Flo and Joan!
Abby Wambaugh: The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows, 31 July – 26 August (not 12th August) at Pleasance Courtyard (Attic). Book tickets here.
Picture credit: Marie Hald.
