Mancunian comic Rachel Fairburn is no shy, retiring flower, she is more like a gobby, thorny rose bush. Her comedy is spikey . If you want attitude Fairburn has it. If you want jokes she's got them too. She is also half of the All Killa No Filla podcast with Kiri Pritchard-McLean which discusses serial killers.
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 try and remember my set even though I definitely know it but it’s good to panic yourself seconds before getting on stage. I also like to take a bit of time to convince myself that the audience will absolutely hate me. Oh and I like to have a wee as well.
2. What irritates you?
Overly long train manager announcements. Tell me where we are going and the next stop. They’re giving so much info now it’s like An Audience With.
Signs that say Live, Laugh, Love hanging in houses.
Young people who blame their parents for everything bad in the world whilst safe in the knowledge they will one day inherit a three bedroom home.
The overuse of plastic packaging, fetishising of working class backgrounds, restaurants who put “hilarious”chalk boards outside...I’ll stop here or I’ll be going on all day.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Probably the time I had far too much to drink and went on a bouncy castle at a child’s party. The kids were all egging me on to do a forward roll and I’m not one to decline a challenge. I landed badly and felt something crack in my chest. I thought I was winded but two days later I went to the hospital and was told I’d broken my sternum. I was in agony for weeks. I vowed never to drink and bounce ever again and I’m proud to say I haven’t.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I do a podcast with Kiri Pritchard-Mclean about serial killers and a listener told me he had some Oasis memorabilia he didn’t want and was going to send it me. I gave him my home address. What was I thinking? I convinced myself I would be murdered in my sleep. Spoiler alert...I wasn’t and the items arrived without any weirdness. Kind of him really but I know now to give my agents address. They deal with any potential killers for their 18%.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How many comics pretend never to have met you despite gigging with you several times. I’ve lost count of the amount of “Yes. We’ve met before. It was at such and such a place” conversations I’ve had to faux baffled faces.
Interview continues here.
