Sophie Garrad is a stand-up comedian and content creator whose online sketches have amassed over 130 million views. A Funny Women finalist and So You Think You’re Funny? finalist, she’s been described by Attitude as “the rising it girl of the comedy circuit.” This year, Sophie returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with her sophomore hour, A Period Drama, a show that turns some very traumatic experiences into something unexpectedly joyful, ridiculous and very funny.
Tell us about your comedy style.
My comedy style is silly, delusional and very much for the girls. I love talking about my own life and making the most mundane or horrific experiences sound completely ridiculous. It’s quite vapid in the best possible way. I don’t take myself too seriously, and I love finding the fun in things that probably shouldn’t be funny.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Mainly from the women in my life. My girlfriends are endlessly funny, my mum is hilarious without meaning to be, and I grew up obsessed with iconic female comedy characters. Moira and Alexis from Schitt’s Creek are comedy perfection, and Patsy and Edina from Absolutely Fabulous are always a huge inspiration. I think I’m just drawn to chaotic, delusional women who commit fully to the bit.
How does it feel to be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe?
I’m so excited to be back. I was actually planning to take this year off, but then the comedy gods intervened and gifted me a very traumatic 48 hours in intensive care. As awful as it was at the time, I came out of it thinking, “Well… I suppose that’s the next show sorted.” Sometimes life really does write the material for you.
Who are the funny women you’d recommend seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe this year?
Ciara O’Connor and Laura Walsh are both doing Pleasance Reserve and are absolutely brilliant. Marty Gleeson is debuting this year and also has the pleasure (or misfortune) of living with me for the Fringe. Lianna Holston is putting together a brilliant show and is also my Fringe housemate, very excited for the month living with two incredibly funny red heads. And Elf Lyons is back with Woman on the Edge – I’ve seen the work in progress and if that’s anything to go by, it’s going to be an absolute banger. Sharon Wanjohi is taking up a WIP and I’ve very excited to be able to see her this year, as last year we were on at the same time – she truly is a star! And to name just one more (which is hard when there are so many amazing women going) – but Rachel Galvo is taking up a WIP and I’ve seen some of it so far and it is hilarious! Do not miss it!
What is your show about?
My show is called A Period Drama, and it’s about endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies and women’s health. I know that doesn’t exactly scream “laugh a minute”, but somehow I’ve managed to make it very silly. I’m incredibly proud of it because it’s taken some genuinely awful experiences and turned them into something joyful, ridiculous and, hopefully, very funny. If people leave laughing while also feeling like we’ve talked about something that doesn’t get spoken about enough, I’ll be very happy.
Tickets and more information for A Period Drama can be found here!
