Dr. Jo Prendergast is performing for the first time at Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her comedy show, The Cool Mum, created for the whole family. In her one woman show, she takes a look at what it is to be a mum, her parenting disasters and her dedication to being ‘cool’.
Tell us about your show.
My debut Fringe show, The Cool Mum, is a clean comedy show that is really relatable for the whole family; from Gen Z-ers to Boomers. It’s based on my own parenting experiences and I perform it as parody of a personal development seminar. I turn my parenting disasters into evidence that I truly am a cool mum! In short, it’s a show about family relationships and the quest for ‘coolness’.
I wrote most of the show when I was in the thick of parenting teenagers myself. I definitely used writing comedy as a coping mechanism for the challenges of bringing up my kids. I found comedy really helps with processing the hellish moments with teenagers – tragedy plus time definitely equals comedy!
How has your show been received so far?
Audiences have said that they love the hilarious video clips in my show which star my own teens; there’s a role reversal skit with my daughter and an observation of ‘teenagers in the wild’ with my son and his friends. Another highlight is the fun audience participation bits of the show such as a parent role playing a teenage boy and the ‘Cool Dad make-over’. I even give very cool t-shirts to my audience volunteers! My show has TikTok dances, cool lingo training and tips for being a ‘social media aware parent’ (aka stalking your kids on Instagram).
There are some helpful parenting messages (that I wrote with my psychiatrist/author of a teenage mental health book ‘hat’ on) included but most of the show is lighthearted, ‘don’t try this at home’ silliness. It’s a very funny show!
The show has been really popular ‘Down Under’, winning best solo show and audience favourite show at Nelson Fringe and has sold out at New Zealand and Australian festivals with five star reviews. I think UK audiences will love the show too.
You will leave lit AF!
How does it feel to be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I’m really excited to be coming to Edinburgh for the whole month all the way from New Zealand! Given I’m from ‘the colonies’ it’s like coming back to the motherland to connect with my ancestors.
Fringe was actually my 2021 plan but that went out the window because of the three big Cs – Covid, cancer and cash! I had treatment for breast cancer in 2021 and chemotherapy was much less fun than a month in Edinburgh. Now cancer-free post treatment I have a real YOLO attitude to life; I’ve decided to do the things and follow the dreams. A life-threatening illness has reminded me that life’s too short to put off following your dreams – one of which is to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe!
The Edinburgh Fringe is a career milestone for comedians ‘Down Under’; when we have conquered the Australasian comedy festivals we are ready to challenge ourselves on stages in the northern hemisphere.
Perhaps comedy is my version of a midlife crisis, as I started at 48 and I’m now 55. I don’t feel invisible as a middle-aged woman when I’m wearing red on stage with a microphone!
In terms of why I’m coming this year; my book When Life Sucks has just been released in UK by Harper Collins. My show and book are on the same theme of the challenges of parenting young people but with different goals. The comedy show is about laughing at trying to be a cool parent, whereas my book is about trying to support our teens to survive until adulthood.
My husband is running the Berlin marathon at the end of September and he’s joining me for the last few days of Fringe – by which stage, I may need his moral support to cross the Fringe finish line. I’ll also be cheering him on across the finish line in Berlin!
I have always liked a challenge and I tossed up between running the Berlin marathon and doing a month at Fringe; both would give a sense of achievement, testing my stamina and likely ‘WTF am I doing moments?’. My brain and vocal cords are stronger than my menopausal knees though, so Fringe it is!
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
Miriam Margolyes – I’m a huge fan of older women behaving badly and Miriam rocks this better than anyone!
Rose Matefeo – she’s from where I live in New Zealand, and it’s been awesome to watch her shoot to stardom in the UK.
Two Hearts – only half women but Laura Daniels is brilliant. New Zealand would have won Eurovision with their song (if New Zealand was allowed to enter).
Hannah Campbell – I’ve gigged in New Zealand with her and she’s great so I’m keen to see her solo show.
Olga Koch -I met her at New Zealand Comedy Festival and people were raving about her show.
Fern Brady – There was a huge buzz about her at the Melbourne Comedy Festival (MICF), but I couldn’t get to her show. I also like that she’s a fellow author.
As for gender diverse comedians, I’m looking forward to seeing:
Chloe Petts – I loved Chloe’s show at MICF, it was a masterclass in audience interaction so I can’t wait to see their next one.
Sarah Keyworth – They won best show at MICF and loved the short set I saw.
Dr. Jo Prendergast, The Cool Mum is on 31st July, 1st-11th and 13th-25th August at 1.00pm at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Coorie Room. Book tickets here.
Photo credit: Emma Smart
