Today we sit down with Katie Pritchard, not least of all because she is only 5 feet tall and is therefore the same height as us when we’re sat down. She’s here to talk all things Sir Elton Scone – her new character who has been taking the baking themed comedy circuit by storm. We get an exclusive on how she got into comedy, some super-hot recs, and we might even find out who on earth Sir Elton Scone is!?
How did you first get into comedy?
It was by accident really; the story I usually tell people is that I got bored backstage at a show I was working on and made comedy videos and then began performing live. Which is a true story! But the reason I even gave it a go, and something I don’t think I’ve ever told any interview before – OMG A SCLUSIE!!! The reason I tried it in the first place was because I went on a series of first dates with people who kept taking me out to comedy clubs because they thought I should do comedy. Now, I’m not saying you should all go out and believe in signs from the universe – you do you!
But if after the 4th time someone completely different takes you out to see comedy to tell you to do it, not knowing that you’ve already been taken out on many comedy dates already, then it’s probably something you could maybe give a little try? While I was building up my confidence to give it a go, I was then out with a friend who was a comedian, and I remember that because I can be quite shy in a big crowd I was cracking some jokes just to my friend, but then they’d repeat them to the crowd and get a massive laugh.
So, the NEXT DAY I felt confident in my material after hearing it go down so well the night before, and I woke up and filmed my first comedy style video. And the rest, has just been loads of fun and creativity, and me trying to understand how on earth to get lots of gigs so I can just perform full time.
Tell us about your comedy style.
My style is an amalgamation of all the things that make me laugh, that bring me joy to perform, and that I think I’m good at. So, we’re talking musical comedy, character comedy, we got lots of props and costumes going on, some puns (of course!), some fun crowd interactions if people are up for having some fun with me during my sets, and just a real silly whimsical old time. I basically love performing a super high-octane extravaganza whenever I’m onstage. I know people love a pigeonhole when it comes to comedy styles, but I’ve never been interested in fitting in really, I would just rather do what I enjoy and hopefully people will join in with me and have a right laugh!
What’s your show about?
Katie Pritchard is Sir Elton Scone is about…well… the title says it all! (…does it?) It’s a bit like Elton John but he just looooves to bake (and for legal reasons he’s also nothing like Elton John). It’s a power hour of fun and frivolity – think Vic and Bob in Shooting Stars, think a massive Jim Henson puppet, think a Harry Hill musical theatre extravaganza. This show is actually the only live (non-televised) TV baking game show where the competitors compete to find the best baker using absolutely NO OVENS (as far as I’m aware)!! And then along with all that we’ve got songs! Epic dance moves!! Live musical instruments!! The best suit ever made out of a pair of curtains! AND WIBBLY WOBBLY JELLIES!!!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I don’t know how to describe this answer to you without just saying “from my weird little brain”? Sometimes I’ll have a really clear visual for what I want to look like, or what I want the bit to look like, sometimes I have an idea for a song that I can’t get out of my head, sometimes I hear the rhythms of the jokes I want to tell, and sometimes I walk into a shop and see a piece of fruit and write a song about it as I do my food shop. But at the crux of it, it almost always stems from “how can I and the audience have the most fun”.
My favourite shows are always shows where I can’t think of anything other than the show I’m watching because it is so fun and engaging and interesting and/or distracting. Whatever style the show is, I love shows where I feel immersed in the show and my brain stops thinking about anything else, and so I guess that is sort of my main inspiration. The feeling I want my audiences to have is what inspires a lot of what I create. Comedy is so fun when it’s live, in the room, and we all get to experience something all together.
People achieve this in lots of different ways, and I love to achieve it by giving my crowds as much energy as possible so that they can leave the space not feeling drained but feeling happy and hopefully giggly (my favourite reaction is the giggles!!)
Any advice for those starting out/entering the Funny Women Awards/taking their first show to Edinburgh (etc)?
I think if you’re just starting out in comedy it’s important to remember to do what you love and your crowd will come to you. It’s all really useful asking for advice from people but I’m here to remind you to only take in advice that is useful to you and just keep trusting your instincts. (It’s so fine to ignore advice, I do it all the time – hell you can ignore this advice if you want!)
Most people do mean well when they dish out advice (whether that advice has been requested or is completely unsolicited), but something that worked for one person might not be right for you! By all means give everything a go to see if you like it while you’re creating your signature style, but I just love to see people doing what they love!! So, if it doesn’t feel right for you, then don’t do it! Your special power is being you – because no one else is YOU! So don’t try and copy someone else, just stick with doing something that feels like it is authentically you and I’m so sure you’ll have an amazing time and win all the awards and have a brilliant career!
Who are your favourite Funny Women?
I have LOADS of course I do!
But some of my favourite acts who I will always go and see are Bec Hill, Jordan Gray, Yuriko Kotani, Flo and Joan, Adele Cliff, Sikisa and Rosie Jones.
Go see them alllll and marvel at their amazingness!!
You can keep up with Katie Pritchard across all socials here!.
Tickets and more information for Katie Pritchard is Sir Elton Scone can be found here.
