Hello surrealism, meet breast cancer. Beth Vyse's As Funny As Cancer is one of the strangest, loveliest comedy shows I’ve seen in a long while. It takes a degree of skill, courage and also screwball wit to marry absurdist humour to the story of your cancer diagnosis and treatment. Somehow Vyse pulls this off, lobbing in some nice anecdotes about growing up in Stoke-on-Trent, her quirky Croc-wearing dad, having a boyfriend called Michael Jackson and travelling on the number 12 bus in London. There’s also some low-level audience participation, a big boob-shaped balloon and lots more going on here. Update September 2016: After two successful runs in Edinburgh Funny As Cancer is back on the road from September 30 coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Tickets and details here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
Firstly I always check my knickers ARE sticking out of my skirt..... every little helps, Bruce, every little helps!
But seriously I panic, I say, "Oh, fuck it, fuck the audience" but i i don't mean it, I try to run through the beginning of my show, but normally I can't get past the first sentence before my mind goes on to other moments in the show i should be practicing, then before we know it i'm on.
I also sometimes say......"Hip Bath, Hip Bath, Lavatory, Lavatory, Bidet, Bidet, Douche" it an old warm up from Diana Rigg, but that's only when I'm feeling incredibly camp.
What irritates you?
Bloody hell, don't get me started; I'm from Stoke-On-Trent so I have a massive old McCain on my shoulder, which has only got bigger now I live in London.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I almost got married to Michael Jackson (fact)
Probably more dangerous for him than me if I'm honest.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Comedy!! And I bleached my hair once... terrible.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
People's opinions.
Interview continues here.
