Tell us about the show you’re bringing to Blizzard Comedy’s Mini-Fringe All Dayer.
It’s my second hour-long show entitled Cult Classic. It’s basically about how I always felt I would join a cult, like I always had that as a back up if my life didn’t go well. So now I’m at a point in my life where I’m thinking, did my life go well? Or is it time to pull out my backup? It’s exploring what success means and what kind of life would you want if no one was watching.
What inspired you to write a show with cults at its core?
Basically because I had always had that in my mind as a safety net almost, like getting into a cult on clearing. Cults themselves are fascinating, but I’m also linking the idea with something BEING cult – everything I like is cult – cult films, bands, even what I wear. So when I’m exploring what does success actually means, you could view ‘cult’ things as being wholly unsuccessful by certain standards.
How does this show play with the tropes of cults?
It’s more about that feeling of belonging and community. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere, and a cult really serves that up on a plate for you. It’s very enticing. So the show explores the areas of my life I was meant to find that – the queer community, neurodiverse community, your family, maybe the comedy industry – and how I’ve had to find my own.
You write in a style that cultivates a niche but dedicated following. How does this show embrace the space you’ve carved out within comedy?
I think a lot of the show is actually about accepting that. We can all get sidetracked or distracted by things that don’t actually matter but seem important, or things you want just because other people have them. So I’m discovering what success actually means to me, in a vacuum. And I think that is a devoted cult following (in the form of an audience, but I’ll take what I can get).
How do you draw a line between cult and comedy?
I wouldn’t want to draw a line, but I’m sadly not charismatic enough to be the cult leader type.
What do you hope people take away from your show?
I hope people are on my wave length. Most of what I do from here on out is trying to find my audience. I’m not an everyman. When you’re writing about cults and suicide and queerness, as well as you can write on those topics and make them funny, it just can’t be for everyone. I’m not trying to exclude anyone by any means, but at the same time, not everyone wants to come to my house, and I don’t want everyone there either. You’re all invited once, if we get on, I’m hoping you’ll always come round. If we don’t, I wish you all the best.
How are you feeling about being a part of Blizzard Comedy’s Mini-Fringe All Dayer?
I hope people come! Blizzard has a great audience and I hope they’d be the kind of people interested in seeing me do an hour (45 mins if I’m having a bad time).
What are your hopes for this show going forward?
I’d love the show to be able to tour. I did my first little tour last year and I really enjoyed that. Like I said, I’d love to become an act that has a returning fanbase.
Do you have any advice for anyone hoping to create their own full-length fringe comedy show?
If we’re talking about doing the Edinburgh fringe, I think you have to be certain in the show. You’re doing it every day for a month, you will have to endlessly talk about it and ask people to come for around 6 months in the lead up, and oh my god is it expensive. With all of that you need to be sure in what you’re doing, for your own mental wellbeing really, over anything else. Unless you’re riding some hype wave, it can’t hurt to delay it until you feel sure on it.
Hannah Platt is performing Cult Classic at Blizzard Comedy’s Mini-Fringe All-Dayer at Gullivers NQ on Sunday 14th June.
Tickets are free with the option to pay what you’d like on the door. Book your seat here.
