When musical comedy is bad it is very bad, but when it is good it is really bloody good. And Kate Lucas is really bloody good. Her razor-sharp songs have helped her to notch up both rave reviews and awards. In 2014 she was voted the Leicester Mercury New Comedian of the Year and in 2016 made her Edinburgh full-length debut with the acclaimed Whatever Happened to Kate Lucas?
This year she returns with a show that explores consumerism. Lucas has been told that she has to sell herself. But how do you negotiate the tricky world of advertising, marketing and social media and still stay sane? Lucas reveals how advertsing has wormed its way into every nook and cranny of our lives. When we go on Instagram are we having fun or being sold something? Expect brilliantly catchy, dark songs and some social comment you can sing along to as well. As I said, Kate Lucas is really bloody good.
Kate Lucas’s new comedy show ‘Kate Lucas is Selling Herself’ will be at the Just The Tonic The Tron at 6.20pm from 1st – 25th August. For tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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 have a weird diet coke and pint ritual. It’s completely psychological but I have one of each and I need to take a sip of one or the other depending on how I feel - diet coke if I’m sleepy, lager if I feel uptight and I drink it close enough to my name being called that I haven’t got time to concentrate on anything else, but just long enough before that I don’t spend the next hour stifling a burp onstage!
2. What irritates you?
Me. Mostly though it’s things people do in crowds. People who stop in the middle of busy streets make me want to commit mass murder. I also think there should be a fast lane for people who know how to use ticket machines and cashpoints. It would really take a lot of my rage away.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Literally just stopping to look cross at a group of thugs threatening a man in Brixton. I realised it was dangerous when I crossed the road just as an empty vodka bottle missed my head and smashed on the floor.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Everything. It’s impossible to choose. I once spent a whole week turning up 1 day late to everything because I’d accidentally set my phone to the timezone of the Island of Tonga.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
You really can’t judge a crowd. People will always surprise you. I think it’s why it’s quite addictive because you can’t ever quite crack it, there will always be an audience who just don’t react like any of the other crowds you’ve played to.
Interview continues here.
Picture: Steve Ullathorne
