Today we interview Lady Garden, the hottest new comedy act at this year’s Brighton Festival Fringe. These sharp, witty ladies are on at the Marlborough Little Theatre from the 10th to the 13th May starting at 7.30 nightly. So let’s learn more about this most interesting comedy sextet…
1. What inspired you to become comedy writers and performers?
Many, many hours of watching old and new sitcoms and sketch shows, live acts and stand up. Our families, our friends, offices we’ve worked in, things that have annoyed us, things that made us laugh even when no one else noticed them.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show in the 2009 Brighton Festival Fringe?
It’s an hour long sketch show written and performed by six young women, fast-paced and a bit dark in places. Lots of characters, a few costume changes and no special effects. Some nudity but no actual lady gardens. We’ll also show you a sneak preview of some of our new material which will be in our Edinburgh show in August!
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
The last big fringe we performed at was Edinburgh last year and it was amazing! It was our first time performing at a fringe festival as LADYGARDEN so we learnt loads and loved it all! We were very lucky to be in the Gilded Balloon and also to have an audience to play to every day!
4. What are the funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
The first time any of us laughed on stage was very recently and it was because one of us came out with a stupid hairstyle without telling any of the others which doesn’t sound funny now we’ve written it on the page but it was!
We did a gig in Leicester once where nobody in the audience knew we were coming on, the compere had already left so we didn’t get an introduction and our tech cues went wrong. The audience looked like they wanted to die. Luckily that hasn’t happened again!
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
To never let anyone tell you that farting isn’t funny!
The worst is probably that we’d all look amazing in leotards. We thoroughly regret following that advice.
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
We were all very proud to be part of the “Hackney New Act of the Year Final”. It was great to play in such an amazing venue so early on in our careers. We dream of one day writing a sketch so funny that someone vomits and poos themselves at the same time.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
Henry VIII, because we are writing a sketch about him and we’ve got a few questions; Julia Davis, for comedic inspiration; Ricky Gervais, to provide entertainment in the style of a court jester. We would serve sushi and a nice roast to cater for both medieval and modern tastes.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
‘Daddy Keep your Belt on’ by Anne Gladstone. Come and see our show to find out why.
9. Tell us five interesting or unknown facts about yourselves:
1. We all met at the University of Manchester.
2. Once when we were performing we were flashed by a man sitting on the front row wearing a kilt and no underwear…
3. One of us was on The Weakest Link and was voted off on the second round.
4. The six of us once performed on a stage that was one metre square.
5. Half of us are from the north and half are from the south.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
There should be more zebra crossings. Power to the pedestrians!
Tags: 2009 Brighton Fringe, Lady Garden