When did you first Discover Stand-Up Comedy?
I saw Victoria Wood on the telly as a kid and thought it was the most brilliant and exciting thing I’d ever seen. My nan who was looking after me (I was definitely ‘a raised by your nan’ child), switched it off abruptly and said “Women aren’t funny!”
I had such strong feelings about this ever since that never left me. I at once started doing solo stand up skits in the kitchen to no one, and at the same time buried deep my burgeoning desire to make everyone laugh under a repressed people pleasing mute.
You have a very unique perspective and background on the circuit – is this an asset or a hindrance to your performance do you think?
People often say having “a story” or lots of trauma is useful and great fuel for source material. While in some ways it is, I don’t think anyone can have anything other than the lived experience they’ve had. None of us chose our beginnings or how they have informed who we are. We all have to somehow find our way through, beyond and around that.
I think all work is biographical in some way, people who avoid talking about what made them or who do whimsy or surreal comedy are also telling us a lot about who they are by choosing to do that. You can’t really hide your perspective and background very well in comedy. We do see something of you in whatever you’re doing up there, that’s why it’s so great and terrifying!
How similar are you now to how you were when you started?
Well I used to go on stage with a massive strap-on underneath a floral dress, with big black Doc Martin boots on and writhe around on the floor with a St. George’s flag to Pocahontas ‘Colours of the wind’ and then fling my dick off into the crowd before saying my first joke… so yeah I’d say I’ve changed quite a bit haha.
What are your goals for the future in your career?
Well, I actually have always wanted to be an old lady in a metal band, so really comedy has always been a side journey to get to that much louder more ferocious way of disappointing my parents. Fingers crossed!
In Edinburgh at the fringe whilst flyering I uncovered my future band name, so now I just need to get my feet behind the double kick pedals!? Oh, that name was: Celtic Thrush. You heard it here first.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A man on the internet told me once I wasn’t funny but that I’m fit, then he proceeded to tell me a list of people who are funnier. Then after sharing his list, he asked me out!?
It demonstrated so perfectly of the contradictory nature of people to remind me to really not care what people think or want, because they themselves so hardly know!
Is it a laughter, lust, despair? Fuck knows. They’re all in bed with each other, aren’t they? And no, I did not go to bed with him funnily enough, he didn’t inspire that in me, and I LOVE LISTS!?
Tell us about your best and worst gigs.
I was crowd surfed across the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh at the end of a show recently. That was pretty spectacular and close to my rock star Celtic Thrush dreams!?
Worst? Oh god, I got heckled by a drunk man in a bucket hat once who jumped on stage and attempted some of the worst stand up I’ve seen. Luckily the audience agreed with me and he was humbled that it was not as easy as it looked.
What advice would you give you a younger you just getting into stand-up?
Don’t do it. Get a proper job or a time machine and buy a house when you’re 8 years old, that’s financially the best time to do it!
Seriously though, start earlier. That fear you feel isn’t going anywhere. It’s always going to be there but you can look it in the eyes and rise above it. Also if you say Celtic Thrush three times to yourself before any gig YOU WILL FEEL INVINCIBLE and be vocally warm.
You can find out more about Charlie but checking out her website.
This interview, along with other fun and exclusive content, is part of our Winter 2022 zine – order your copy here!
