Laura Lexx has a reputation as one of the best comperes in the business who can deal with the toughest of audiences. A clip of her effortlessly shutting up a heckler went viral a while back. Read more about Laura Lexx below and find out if she is coming to your town here.
Picture of Laura Lexx in striped top is by Karla Gowlett.
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 go very blank just before I go on stage... For about ten minutes before hand I struggle to focus and I hate talking to people and I’m running over in my head all the ammo I have ready to go and wondering what order it will come out in, and then just as my name is being called or the music is changing I think I just stop thinking about it all and go out there. It’s actually quite lovely.
2. What irritates you?
Bad driving. Look, I know this is such a cliche thing to say but honestly, I spend a lot of my time on motorways and I just don’t understand what is so hard about moving into the left lane unless you’re overtaking? Nothing makes me rage more than that. I swear, I beep, I shout, I do obscene gestures... there is no place on earth where I am less forgiving and understanding than in my Peugeot 207.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
A few years ago when I was really struggling to make a living in comedy I had a gig in Leeds, and I was on the M25 (told you I spend a lot of time on motorways) and my car overheated so I pulled over to the hard shoulder and popped the bonnet to let it cool down. As I was sat in the car a man wandered over and asked if I was ok, I said I was. He asked where I was going, I said Leeds. Then he said, “I’m going to Leeds actually, would you like a lift, I have an empty car transporter lorry... I could take you and your car...”
Now, looking back I cannot believe I accepted his offer. But, you have to understand I could NOT AFFORD to miss that gig - especially as the car was going to cost - so he put my car on the back of his lorry and I climbed in the truck and spent every second of that journey wondering when he was going to kill me. Happily it turned out he was a genuinely lovely, helpful man and the world isn’t all full of Daily Mail headlines but, it could have been so different and I think about that a lot.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Until last year I thought Alan Sugar was a person of colour. Probably that.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How jealous I can be. I wish I wasn’t. I wish it didn’t sting when other people get fantastic opportunities that I don’t get, because it doesn’t mean anything. I am surprised constantly that I can concurrently have so much and so little faith in my ability.
Interview continues here.
