Kicking off our 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe interviews is the disarmingly charming, Rosie Wilby! Her relaxed banter reveals a sharp wit with an insightful take on life. After performing at the 2009 Brighton Festival Fringe in May, Rosie is back in Edinburgh with her new show “Rosie Wilby: The Science of Sex”. If you fancy a witty exposé, don’t miss Rosie’s show which is on at the Sweet venue in the Grassmarket from the 6th through to the 30th August from 6.15 pm each evening. So let’s chat with Rosie…
1. What inspired you to become an singer/song writer, comedian and performer?
I was a musician initially and had always written songs since a very early age. Comedy came much later when people enjoyed my between song chat and I thought I’d give it a go. Its not something I really expected but that side of my performing career has totally taken over now.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Rosie Wilby: The Science Of Sex.
Funny Women Finalist investigates the science of attraction, sexual chemistry and sexual identity with spoof experiments and handmade props. What makes us gay or straight? What turns us on? What are pheromones?
‘Excellent!’ Time Out.
‘Packs a punch’ BBC.co.uk.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
I’m still performing my Edinburgh 08 show at Brighton Fringe 09 but after that I’ll press on with the new show at Camden, Buxton and Edinburgh.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Worst experience was once at an odd sparsely populated gig I was put on first and cleared the room. The people there didn’t seem to want comedy at all but I carried on thru my set as the other comics were absolutely wetting themselves watching me trying to get these scared looking people to stay. I quite enjoyed the fact I was making them laugh – even tho I fear it may have been for the wrong reasons.
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
Jill Edwards is a comedy tutor in Brighton who once gave me a private session, after seeing me in the Funny Women Final. She told me to use less words and my set immediately felt a lot lighter. I had been weighed down by over explaining a bit. If only, I’d seen her before the final!
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
Proud of having done Edinburgh Fringe twice and survived. It really is hard when you’re doing everything yourself. But I’ve got a lot out of it the times I’ve been there.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
Kristen Scott Thomas because she’s my biggest celeb crush. Do I have to invite anyone else? Would rather have her to myself.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
Currently reading a book entitled She’s Not The Man I Married by Helen Boyd about a woman whose husband is transgender. It makes some fascinating insights about relationships, about our identities, and about how people perceive us, and how that affects us
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I have a degree in Electronics.
I was once a presenter on York Student TV.
I was once an extra in The Politicians Wife, with Juliet Stevenson.
I have been arrested!
I don’t know how many cousins I have.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Rid it of all forms of prejudice – homophobia, sexism, racism etc. that’s quite a big one I guess.
Tags: 2009 Edinburgh Fringe, funny science, funny sex, Funny woman, Rosie Wilby, sex