10 Questions: An interview with Janey Godley
Today we interview the naturally funny Scottish comedian, Janey Godley. Janey is returning the the Edinburgh Fringe with her one-woman stand-up comedy show, Domestic Godley which is on at the Pleasance Dome throughout the duration of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Not just a comedian, Janey writes books plus a weekly column for The Scotsman newspaper. You can dip into her blog, Brave Journal and find out what she up to. So let’s chat to Janey…
1. What inspired you to become a writer, comedian and performer?
I love talking and my show is basically anecdotal, it’s great watching people sitting there listening to your stuff. And you get paid for it!
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
My show is all about how useless I am as a housewife and how women don’t have to be good at much, but just be good at being themselves.. There is too much pressure on women nowadays – we should enjoy being crap at cooking.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
The funniest was at a high security prison, where I was doing comedy and most of the inmates knew me personally. It freaked the prison guards out!
The worst was when I nearly fainted in Munich on stage in the middle of a show. It was very hot and I couldn’t breathe – yet my mouth continued with the show despite my brain screaming to let me pass out!
4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
I recently did the New Zealand Comedy Festival and it was just amazing, I love the Kiwi’s and the shows sold out everywhere. Such an awesome feeling.
5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?
Get loads of stage time and never assume you know everything. Respect every show and never play to your mates at the back. Comedians can get very lazy and assume they are funny all the time. Audiences deserve to be treated to a good show and it’s your responsibility to make sure they get one.
6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?
Yes – I have yet to spend a night with George Clooney and I want to write a movie.
7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
My husband told me on my very first gig- “Always leave them wanting more” though how he knew to say that will always amaze me, he was right and I do.
8. What is the best book or books you’ve read and why do you like them?
I love the novels by Kate Atkinson; she is a wonderful writer and paints a picture with words that stay with you till you die.
9. Who is the person you most admire and why?
I admire Joan Rivers, her amazing tenacity in the business will always be an inspiration to me, she is sharp, sassy and such good value.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
I would want children to be safe from predators and be allowed to give them the chance to grow up as kids without external worries. So all evil pedophiles and people who abuse kids for financial gain or make them child soldiers would be dealt with quickly and firmly.
