US comedian Catherine McCafferty debuts at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe at Just The Tonic Mash House with her show ‘(Not) That Bad’. A dark comedy that will highlight the dichotomy of our lived experience with the stories we deem palatable for others.
‘(Not) That Bad’ is a show about death, dating and Diarrhoea. McCafferty will take you on the journey of her life: growing up in a family affected by alcoholism, coming out of the closet late, getting engaged to her first gay partner, having her engagement end, watching her dad die, getting sexually assaulted and (arguably) worst of all, shitting herself in public.
The show strives to explore that tragedy plus jokes equals comedy, because time isn’t linear. Grief is a circle and the circle can and should have some really funny speed bumps along the way. If the journey of life isn’t where we are going but how we got there, it's also about how we tell people we got there.
Catherine has performed stand-up for 8 years. She has performed as a part of the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, Dallas Comedy Festival and Portland Comedy Fest. David Sedaris told her she would make an excellent prostitute.
She came out on stage before she came out to her family and told jokes about her dad dying before he was buried in the ground. The first set she did was about her sexual assault. Everything that has happened to her she immediately put it into a joke. Her coping mechanisms is stand-up, and she is now ready to share that with the audience.
Catherine McCafferty’s ‘(Not) That Bad’ is at the Just The Tonic Bottle Room at The Mash House @ 3.30pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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 usually need to move so I will try and hype myself up and shake out my limbs. Think of a football player doing a goal celebration but in the body of a non-athletic comedian with a lot more self conscious energy.
What irritates you?
Sometimes people don’t realize this is a job so they will expect you to maintain the same persona on and off stage. I have a similar demeanor but I’m not always “on '' and after a show you aren’t going to stick around and continue to joke, I might want to but I’m human I might want to eat a sandwich instead.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done? J
Joining online chat rooms as a middle schooler pretending to be a highschooler. I didn’t even have the wherewithal to pretend to be an adult.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I actually have my degree in biology but I always knew I wanted to be a performer. I only say it is stupid of me to have that degree because it cost a lot of money to go unused!
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
It has been interesting to watch the industry change and how the internet and clips play such a big role and has allowed comics to grow a following and release a special on their own.
Interview continues here
