Following a sell-out run at the Soho Theatre, Mae Martin is coming to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to workshop her new show. With a chaotic mix of stand-up, songs and audience interaction, she will continue to reinforce the stereotype that Canadians chronically overshare. Martin Walker asks a few questions over the interweb.
“This year I’m doing a work-in-progress show, trying out new and weird stuff that in the past I’ve been too scared to do. It’s in a free venue, and it’ll be a mix of stand up, improv, special guests and audience interaction. Sometimes I might cry during it. Let’s hang out, though. Honestly, guys. Please come.”
Tell us about your involvement with the production company, Berk’s Nest.
“Berk’s Nest is comprised of the two lovely girls Phoebe Bourke and Katie Churchill. They live near me. They are very good people. They’ve been amazingly supportive in helping me develop my ideas and I would recommend Berk’s Nest to anyone and everyone. Also they are assets in any social situation as they are very funny and clever and Phoebe has a nice garden behind her flat.”
How do you describe your comedy to those that might not have seen you before?
“I say, ‘It’s the kind of comedy where it is clear that I am desperate to be liked and to make friends. I am hoping to change this. Anyway, please come and maybe we could hang out after and have a drink. I’ll buy.’”
What advice would you give your seventeen year old self?
“Don’t spend many years of your life worrying about and planning for the 2012 Apocalypse.”
If you were curating a stand up show for television, who would be your guests?
“This is so hard. I am staring at my computer screen, weeping from stress. All my friends are comedians and they’re all great. People going up to Edinburgh this year who’d I’d definitely include are: Liam Williams, Tom Allen, Jack Barry, Adam Hess, Natasia Demetriou, Ellie White, Al Green, and Sarah Campbell. There are so many more, though. Oh man. Oh god…”