“It’s curating a diverse festival that’s not just what I want, but what everyone’s got to say” | Billie Hakansson on curating the comedy programme at Vault Festival 2023

Tell us about the work you’ve done curating comedy for Vault Festival 2023.

It’s been a bit of a beast this year! 

Last year’s was cancelled after we’d programmed and announced the launch of the festival, which was really upsetting after doing all that work. 

What has been really nice has been coming into this year off the back of last year’s festival and the acts we’ve finally been able to get into the festival. Also, having such nice conversations with everyone who so excited to come back! There’s been such an amazing response.

We’ve got more shows this year. We’ve got a new venue. Vault Festival have opened The Glitch, our new 30-seater venue, which has been all comedy. I’ve had such a great opportunity to fill that with great stuff that isn’t in a dank, dark basement, it’s a really nice venue. The Glitch is going to be a really great turning point for the festival, especially the comedy.

What is your process for curating a diverse, exciting festival?

We had so many applications this year and, due to being a freelancer, I came in a bit later than I normally would. I was so overwhelmed, but it amazing to come off the back of Edinburgh and go through every single application and soak everything in.

I’m really interested in what people have to say. What I love about this job and about working in comedy is listening to people who have interesting stories and fascinating lives and a completely different outlook on life. And, also, what a pleasure to laugh about it, in a beautiful, communicative way.

That’s what I look for the most, it’s curating a diverse festival that’s not just what I want, but what everyone’s got to say. That’s the most important thing, to represent as many people as possible, because we’re all very funny!

What are the key factors you look for when selecting shows for a festival you’re curating?

I like to give people an opportunity. I think that’s the base level I work off. I want to bring people in who are bringing something new, whether that’s new generally or new for themselves or their first time bringing a new show or first time doing Vault Festival. Something I try to do is not to be formulaic and do all the tick-boxing. 

I like looking for age in comedy. Being a new comic doesn’t mean you’re in your 20s and have just done the Chortle Student Awards. There are quite a lot of older women in my programme who are doing comedy and I think there are limited spaces for those people to present work. That’s something I’ve tried to look out for this year and I’m really excited about it.

Do you have any trick to seeking out those elements in the submissions you received?

We have the application process which has been well curated to gather data. It’s not just me, there’s also the theatre programme and the lates programme, which in terms of statistics pulls out diversity and shows led by people with disabilities and neurodiverse artists. It’s a really interesting way of picking out those things.

What I would say to everyone who asks for tips and tricks in developing their shows is that I want to see you perform. I want to see clips and audio files. We can all write a great application like it’s a job, but I want to see you in your element and see you thrive.

Even if it’s in a tiny little club with four people in the audience, if you’re happy with that performance then I want to see it. It shows that you’re doing something that you’re really engaged in and that’s what I want!

Was there anything that took you by surprise when it came to the submissions?

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of newcomers we had applying this year. Especially after the pandemic, I was worried people would go and get “real” jobs after that government campaign telling them to learn to code instead of being a ballerina.

We’ve now got things like the 2Northdown New Act competition winners who all have slots in the festival. So we’ve got fresh talent coming in.

Do you have any particular favourite shows that you’re looking forward to?

There are definitely a few that have stuck out to me that are the sort I wouldn’t normally pick up out of a brochure. 

Adam Willis is bringing a show called Joseph, which is a bit more theatrical than comedy but still in my programme. It’s about Joseph the carpenter. He was meant to be programmed last year and I’m really looking forward to seeing that.

Some of the newbies, as well. Sarah Roberts I think is going to do really well this year. The 2Northdown competition winners are John Tothill, Kyrah Grey and Adam Flood. I’m so looking forward to seeing their shows and to seeing what Luisa Omielan is bringing.

Sarah Keyworth is bringing a work-in-progress show. I didn’t get to see Sarah in Edinburgh but apparently she was amazing.

We also have a show called Comedy Unrepped, which I created last year, when obviously it all went underground. It’s a curated line up of comedy performers who are bringing shows the festival this year. We select six per show who are unrepresented by agents or industry and we have a showcase over two days. Last year, we had Thanyia Moore MC for us. It was so lovely. They do seven minutes each and this year we’re opening up to the public to buy tickets. It was one of my favourite parts of last year.

What are your hopes for the festival?

What I’m hoping for is that people are willing to come out and support these shows. It was a funny year and audiences were down across the board. I’m hoping being in London, with less travel involved, that people will take a punt on stuff. 

Everything in the comedy programme is so new and so fresh. I want people to come and spend £6.50, £8, whatever to take a gamble on something you would never normally go see. Or take a recommendation from a friend or off Twitter. That’s what I’m gunning for.

I’m saying to the artists too, “go and see each other’s shows and shout about it”. It’s okay that it’s not a polished Edinburgh hour. Celebrate that, make mistakes, enjoy the process of it.

I was talking to Bella Hull about it recently and she was saying that it’s so scary, but so exciting getting up on stage and finding those real gems. That’s what I love about this festival.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get involved with projects like this, either as a performer or curator?

Just to go and watch shows, and talk to people. Especially if someone is at the very early stages of their career, go into these venues, go see your local comedy show, wherever you are in the country. Watch online shows that are still going on. Engage with those acts, tell people you enjoy their shows because that is how we create community.

I was eighteen when I started working the box office at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but from that I’ve met all these amazing people. If it’s something that people really love doing, reach out to people. I’m always happy to offer advice. I don’t know everything, but I’m so happy to lend a helping hand and I know loads of my colleagues in the industry are. We want the industry to thrive.

It sounds dumb, but go and watch what you love. Engage with that. If you love theatre, go to the theatre. Soak it all up. Contact people. Don’t be shy, we’re all very nice, but mostly just enjoy it.

---

Vault Festival runs from 24th January to 19th March 2023.

Check out the website to see the full comedy programme here.