This is Kiri Pritchard-McLean's debut hour, but she is no Fringe newbie. She is a non-performing writer/director for acclaimed sketch group Geins' Family Gift Shop and knows comedy inside out. In Hysterical Woman the Chortle Award-nominated comedian tackles genetics, gender, race and being a comedian who happens to be a woman. She is a smart cookie with a warped streak and plenty of opinions. And a very funny smart cookie too. 

Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Hysterical Woman is at the Pleasance Courtyard from Aug 8 - 29. Tickets here.

Picture by Drew Forsyth.

1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?

I fluff up my hair - the bigger the better. There's a saying in America, "The bigger the hair, the closer you are to God". How great is that? I mean obviously there is no God but if there was she would appreciate a bit of back-combing. I think in my case it's the equivalent of when animals fluff out their feathers or fur to make themselves seem bigger before a fight.

2. What irritates you?

Alcohol. Literally, I'm allergic to it and it brings me out in a weird rash that looks like isolated patches of sunburn. 

Luckily for me British people are dead relaxed about people not drinking, oh no wait, they actually treat it with a deep level of mistrust.

3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

I went on holiday and lacerated my hand, I couldn't afford to get the stitches it needed so I just poured iodine from a pharmacy into the hole and taped it up with surgical tape. I went to a water park the next day because I have a devil may care attitude to infection.

Incidentally, it healed a treat.

4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

Probably committing to doing an Edinburgh show about something rather than just sellotaping my bits of stand-up together for a greatest hits show as conventional wisdom dictates.

5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?

How many people lie about going to private school. It's ok guys, you didn't make that choice. You are making the choice to deny it though.

Interview continues here.