Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
We are Piscean comedy duo Norris & Parker, we share a birthday (26th February) and sometimes a bath and a towel. We have a shared affinity for wine, Chinese takeaways and naked dancing to Kate Bush.
How would you describe your show?
‘Sirens’ is a fever dream of a sketch show, where we will lure our audience to a watery grave with our hypnotic songs and murderous comedy. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, 1940’s coastal thrillers, Sally Rooney books and Techno, ‘Sirens’ wilI showcase Norris’s three act play ‘The Lighthouse’, which was written in a lockdown delirium. Parker is lucky enough to have a starring role as an ingenue pig and Norris looks forward to leaving the duo to become a serious playwright.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Norris: I’m going for artistic inspiration, baked potatoes and tinder dates with clowns.
Parker: I’m going for the deep fried battered ribs, the Scottish weather and because I like dabbling in financial masochism.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
It’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to spend a month honing and developing a show, performing in front of different audiences and being inspired by other people’s work. Also, as the run is longer than other festivals, the facilities are superior; at Latitude, neither of us wanted to use the portaloos so we shat into bin bags whilst inside our tent. We’re happy to say we have our own toilet in Edinburgh this year, but do have to share it with five male stand ups and our tech Dave.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
Julia Davis and The League of Gentlemen and the need for external validation from our fathers.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
Norris’s dad trained at RADA, but when he narrowly missed the opportunity to play Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, he retired and became a farmer. However, he still insisted on entering the house stage left, reciting his one line ‘fucking horses, have they never heard of a fucking field?’ and exiting through a trap door in a billow of smoke.
Sinead was not cool as a teenager and so went for the classic trope of being funny to avoid being bullied. This coping mechanism has developed into a career in comedy alongside seven years of therapy.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Norris proudly won a painting competition with a picture of her cat, this has led to a complex relationship with her cat Atticus Finch who is having an affair with a bengal called Coco and brought fleas into the house. Sinead still remembers her art teacher saying she was bad at art in reception class after painting a ship and is now triggered by watercolours.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Norris: There was a time I wanted to be a police officer but purely based on the fact I watched too many prison dramas. I took Law at college but was disappointed with the lack of wigs so was shortly kicked off the course after one term.
Parker: I would start a Keening business because I am half Irish and spend a large proportion of my week lamenting and wailing.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
We only work on zoom now and haven’t seen each other in person since March 2020.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
We would work with Henry the VIII’s wives to develop their stories into an ambitious West End musical… oh wait.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
In addition to performing your show, aim to leave the house once a day, try a deep fried battered rib and don’t read reviews.
When and where can people see your show?
Monkey Barrel 4, 9.15pm, 3-28th August (not 17th because we will be at an all day spa)
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
Twitter: NorrisParker26
Instagram: NorrisandParker
Facebook: Norris and Parker
Norris & Parker’s new comedy show ‘Sirens’ will be at the Monkey Barrell 4 at 9.15pm from 3rd August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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