What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?

I don't have children - I've had constipation, I don't feel the need to level up. My mum has been to see my stand up, she enjoyed it - I think being in the room and seeing the response made her understand it all a bit more. I'm a quiet, reserved person so it probably just didn't make much sense that I was putting myself on a stage doing stand up comedy - but I think she 'got it' when she came to see a show. 

What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Your dream woman opening the conversation with 'tell us a joke'. 

I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you? 

Oof. Big question. What do I think about myself or my comedy? 

Basically my whole debut hour is me, after feeling like I always existed for other people, asking what I actually think of myself - so no spoilers. 

I think my comedy is decent though, it’s embarrassing to admit how much I care about it but it’s my favourite thing, it’s a bit part of my identity and it’s helped me understand who I am. I know I’ll always be my own worst critic, so feeling like I have a good show that I’m proud to take up to the fringe and spend an obscene amount of money in the process, it must at least not be shit. That’s the biggest compliment I can give to myself - ‘not shit’. 

How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

I can support myself because I’m fully reliant on myself. Would anyone not like to earn millions? I think even if I was earning millions I’d still be concerned about money. But also if I was earning millions I wouldn’t just hoard and sit on top of it like some weird, Musk-esque dragon protecting my gold. Remember when he said he’d solve world hunger if the UN showed him a report, and when they did he gave the money to his own foundation? Imagine being able to solve world hunger and …not doing it. Just making a cybertruck instead. It’s not something I understand, but maybe that’s why I’m not rich. 

How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

It's insanely difficult to distinguish between what is luck and what is the deserved result of hard work - I think everything I've ever had is luck, that it's all just fluke, mad-random twists that will not last forever. It's very fun and not at all stressful.

Any time I support people on tour I feel very lucky, it’s someone trusting you with their audience and it feels like a real endorsement. They don’t need to have me there and I’ve been really grateful for those opportunities to perform to people who are engaged and actively interested in seeing live comedy. 

Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?

It feels gross to be like ‘yes I’m a tortured artist!’ But nothing about me is ‘getting on with it’. I used to actually self harm until I realised I could do stand up comedy - and the result is pretty much the same. It’s interesting the other half are called golfers though - I’ve had a read up on if golf reduces or increases stress and, who’d have thought it, it depends on the individual. So maybe even if a self harmer took up golf they’d still fret and agonise. I can’t tell if my point is deeper than ‘don’t call them golfers’. 

Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?

This is such a hard question, because a lot of my heroes are crotchety old blokes whose views have usually aged like milk, and then cutting out comedians, friends and family, I've settled on Natasha Lyonne, who better not have a transphobic rant after this is posted. She just seems very authentic, effortless, and her style is impeccable. 'Russian Doll' is one of my favourite shows, and as someone who cannot stand their own accent, I'm incredibly envious of her cool, raspy voice - whenever I get a sore throat I think I've suddenly transformed into her and I become unbearable - turns out that's the only thing holding me back.

Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response). 

I’m gonna be honest, this question just feels like an excuse to brag that you have a girlfriend. 

My cutlery drawers are a bit of a free-for-all, but anything with my clothing is pretty neat, as I’m trying to be more thoughtful and respectful of my belongings. I just don't respect forks I guess. If I bring someone home and they comment on the disorganised cutlery draw they’re clearly not the one. 

Hannah Platt’s ‘Defence Mechanism’ is at the Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker 2 @ 8.10pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com 

PHOTO CREDIT - NICOLA GRIMSHAW-MITCHELL

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