Today we head up Country ‘n’ Western way to speak with Sarah-Lousie Young whose show “Cabaret Whore” features comedy characters and original amusing songs. Sarah’s show is on at the 2009 Brighton Fringe from the 1st to the 3rd May at the Laughing Horse @ The Temple from 6.45pm each evening. So why not trot along and join Sara-Louise at The Temple for some inspiring comedy…
1. What inspired you to become a performer?
I am the youngest of five children with four brothers who kept me in hysterics for most of my childhood. Staying up late with them watching ‘Black Adder’, ‘Monty Python’ and ‘Fry & Laurie’ introduced me to comedy. I’d always sung in choirs, but meeting my life long friend and collaborator, Paul L Martin when we were 13 got me into signing cabaret. We’ve been doing shows together for over 20 years. I am inspired by singer song writers like Tom Lehrer, Victoria Wood, Joni Mitchell and the Tiger Lillies and am part of an amazing improvised musical called ‘Showstopper!’ which keep me on my toes.
2. What’s your show about and where are you taking your show after the Brighton Fringe?
‘Cabaret Whore’ is about a Country ‘n’ Western porn star, a tortured French diva and a TV talent show reject. It’s character comedy and original song. After its Brighton debut the show is going to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and then the Soho Theatre in London.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Funniest was corpsing back stage at ‘Newsrevue’ after performing a four part harmony version of ‘English Country Garden’ for the first time, about immigration and featuring Morris dancing in a burka. I was supposed to be doing a voice over into a microphone but it was all I could do to breathe.
Worst was probably a murder mystery when the entire room of 400 dinner guests asked us to leave. They said it was nothing personal, except that they hadn’t wanted a murder mystery in the first place and that we were distracting them from their goujons. I was dressed as a nun. We still got paid though.
4. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Stephen Sondheim on a musical, Taylor Mac on a cabaret, Mike Leigh on a film, Patrick Marber on a play and Joni Mitchell on a song. Not too much to ask!
5. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I’m very proud of this show because it was a real labour of love. I wrote, performed, produced and directed it and sunk a lot of my own money into it. I’m really thrilled that people have responded to it so positively. I am also fortunate to have known my closest friends for most of my life and I am extremely proud of those relationships.
As for the future I would love to have one of my songs played on Radio Four. I’d secretly love a cameo in ‘The Archers’. New York is the next aim and then I’m going to write a musical.
6. Are you a gadget geek or a gadget freak? How do you see technology progressing to assist production and marketing of your show in the future?
I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century and I really see the value in technology. I carry around a good old fashioned note book and pen for ideas but write on my laptop. As a performer, nearly all my advertising and networking is done online. It’s great to be able to send out sound clips and share videos too. This year I may even succumb to Twitter. The act is live but to get it out to people you have to embrace technology. I am very grateful to my brothers for helping me out with it all.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?
Dolly Parton for the heart, Stephen Fry for the brain and Ghandi for the soul. I’d make paella because it’s an act of faith each time I make it that the rice will cook and makes a great centre piece at the heart of the table.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
Brian Keenan, ‘An Evil Cradling’ is an amazingly inspiring but tough book about his time as a hostage. Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ is also beautiful and I really enjoyed ‘White Teeth’ by Zadie Smith, which was the first time I’d read a book about the place I lived and really recognised my own culture. I am also a closet Self-Help junkie – which is probably the worst kind there is.
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
- I’d love to be the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
- My biggest fear is regret.
- I am a messy slob masquerading as a tidy control freak.
- I once pretended to be a psychic at a party and got everyone right.
- I have freakishly long toes.
10. What do you think we can do as an individual to save the planet, if anything?
Take responsibility for our actions and their consequences, both physically (what we eat, recycle and use) and socially (how we treat others and ourselves). I am with Tailhard de Chardin on why we are put on this planet. Oh yes…and make your own sandwiches.
I’m proud of my most recent 
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4. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
