Camilla Borges is an Ecole Philippe Gaulier trained clown and character comedian who has been performing in the comedy scene for nearly seven years. Camilla is known for her original characters such as The Plank of Wood from Titanic and as Madame Fabergé, a corrupt factory owner. In 2023, Camilla was a Sketch Off Quarter Finalist as well as making it through to the Funny Women Awards heats in 2025.
Tell us about your comedy style.
My style is surreal, absurd, and very, very silly. I was always the weirdest kid at school, and now I’m always the weirdest performer at the open mic. I will frequently hear audiences say, “What did I just watch?” Which I am going to take as a compliment.
What’s your show about and where can we see it?
My show is a reimagining of The Nativity, told through the lens of Mary as a teenage girl. It’s inspired by myself as a child, when I played Mary in my school Nativity. I felt like the biggest star in the world and it felt like I had the world at my feet. Then I grew up and those feelings and hopes dimmed slightly, and the show is about me trying to get that feeling back by exploring what life may have been like for Mary as a teenager. It is very silly and fun, and actually quite heartfelt. There is a lot of myself in the show, which feels quite vulnerable.
I am performing at Highlight Festival at The Glitch in Waterloo, Wednesday 22nd July at 17:30. The show is also on in Edinburgh everyday during the fringe (except 18th August) 18:30 Nic 9 at Nicolson square as part of Hootenannies.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration can honestly come from anywhere, the weird way a door closes, what it would be like to high five a tree, a friend who refuses to learn people’s names, if you tap into what’s around you inspiration is everywhere. If I’m stuck on an idea I go for a walk. Or start a new idea, the best way to find inspiration is trying to finish a project- you’ll get so many other ideas! Also, Kate Bush is a huge source of inspiration in everything I do.
Who are your favourite Funny Women?
Too many to name but in particular Natalie Palamides, Courtney Parouso, Meg Stalter, Lolly Adefope, Birthday Girls House Party and all my female friends who are way funnier than me.
What do you love about comedy/writing/producing/etc?
I love comedy because I love to laugh and have fun and not be serious about a single thing, except comedy. The most serious people you ever meet will be people who work in comedy. I like writing as I love just letting my imagination wander with no editing or outside thoughts. I don’t like editing.
Any advice for those starting out/entering the Funny Women Awards/taking their first
show to a festival?
Write and immediately perform it, even if it isn’t finished. Don’t be afraid to get up and fail, the more you perform the more you get used to it and the more you can deliver even terrible material, without feeling like your whole soul is being crushed. It sounds obvious, but take risks, if you feel like there is an idea working its way through your brain, it is probably something that’s worth sharing. Don’t try and force a style or way of speaking as audiences will be able to see through it and you won’t get as far.
Tickets and more information about Be Not Afraid, can be found here!
