Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello! I hope all is splendid with you? My name is Harriet Dyer, I am a lady from Cornwall that does and writes daft comedy.
How would you describe your show?
Quite the journey with twists, turns, whimsy splendour and kidnap!
What is your favourite part of your show?
I’ve got a few callbacks in the show and really love it when I say them and they pay off. I like to think / hope that people don’t see them coming until they are wanged out.
If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Maniac by Michael Sembello
Are there any particular themes or messages you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
Hmm, I guess there’s a few things really… To reassess friendships that might be toxic, it’s never too late to turn things around and to not wait until you wrap your head in sellotape to sort your mental health out.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe? What differentiates it from other festivals?
There’s no other festival as far as I know that’s best part of a month so you’re submerged in a bubble of creativity for all that time, doing your show every day so it getting tighter and tighter and loads of your peers that would usually be scattered all over the country are all simmering away in one bit pot which admittedly in some cases is not good but on the whole, yes, very good indeed.
How does performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe compare to other festivals or venues you've experienced?
It’s the ultimate girth of creative hub-bub, and because it’s so long there’s more than enough time to hone, craft and even make a few mistakes. At other festivals it’s usually one or two shows, and then farewell, onto the next.
How has your experience at past Fringes influenced or changed your approach to this year's performance?
I’m going to say yes to more things and cram in as much as possible.
What is your favourite thing to do in Edinburgh when you're not performing? How do you relax and look after your mental health?
I stay a bit out of the way so it used to be that whenever I wasn’t performing I’d just go back to where I was staying and shut myself off but then I’d end up spiralling. So, I’m just going to stay out and partake in as many things as possible, as even around that many people it can get very lonely if you’re just doing your solo show and then going back to where you’re staying every day
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about taking a show up to Edinburgh?
There’s so much beige and samey in comedy, and Edinburgh’s the place to be as creative as possible so go forward with that, young prince. Try to come up with what you’d happily pay money to see.
What is one thing you would change about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I’d flatten down all the hills so it’s easier to access for everyone
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
I was feral as a child and the only thing that I seemed able to focus on was drama, acting, well anything creative really. I was lucky that I had a wonderful teacher called Mrs Ratcliffe in Primary school that encouraged that, then Mrs Bridger in secondary school, and then Dr Ruth Shade at Uni who literally got me extenuating circumstances as I was an alcoholic who was about to fail the degree. My parents always knew I wouldn’t have a ‘normal’ job and they’ve always been really supportive and encouraging, which I know I’m very lucky for. I come from a working-class background, which I used to see as a setback as I couldn't afford drama school, my dream. So, I ended up going to university instead. But, there was a stand-up comedy module on my university course, which wouldn't have been possible if I had gone to drama school. So, everything worked out in the end. Looking back I’m not even sure I was that good at acting, and I love how I can make stand-up purely my own thing / style / voice, which is not quite the same with acting.
Can you describe your creative process and how you develop your ideas into a full-fledged performance?
I usually think of a story or have some bits of material I want to work into a show and then I just type it all out in a sort of brain guff essay. Then I spend time going through that and adding jokes then get it to a level where I can stand up and pace round the house reciting it as that’s where the best bits pop into it.
What is your favourite thing about performing for a live audience?
So much happens in the moment and the rapport you muster from an audience
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?
One guy came up to me after I’d been onstage and said he didn’t know if my comedy made him want to be sick or go for a wank. Can I say that?
What's the most challenging or unconventional venue you've ever performed in, and how did it impact the overall experience?
I once got booked to do a gig in Nottingham on New Years Eve with another comic and we were between burlesque dancers. The audience apparently were part of the Nottingham mafia if there is such a thing and were expecting lap dances from the burlesque dancers because the guy in charge told them they were strippers. All the pool cues were snapped in half and we got escorted out of the venue and told to hide our money so the regulars didn’t rob us.
Who are some of your artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?
This might sound mad but I wasn’t really a massive fan of comedy growing up (other than Russ Abbott and The Dinner Ladies) which I think helped me have a unique voice as I was never going off something that I knew. When I started out I remember watching Paul Foot and thought he was the best thing ever, half the audience loved it and half hated it to the point where a guy was kicking off about it outside of the comedy club, but he is unashamedly who he is and one of a kind which I love. I also love the openness of Maria Bamford, I’m very open in what I do too. Some of my peers have mad work ethic which I get inspiration from too.
Is there a piece of feedback you've received from an audience member or critic after a performance that’s stuck with you?
Not an audience member or critic but when I was still very new I somehow managed to get onto The Comedy Store late show in London. Kevin Bridges was on and I was chatting away with everyone offstage and then did my set which was a hodgepodge of ‘bits’ really and Kevin said after that I was far funner offstage than onstage which I took as to just be myself so then onwards, that’s what I did.
Is there a show you’re excited to see when you’re up there?
I’ve seen loads of online stuff of Joanne McNally and she absolutely cracks me up so I was hoping to go to one of her work in progress shows but I just looked and they’re all sold out, so hopefully someone gets the plague and a ticket becomes available for that.
When and where can people see your show?
3:40 Gilded Balloon, Patterhouse, Coorie.
And where can people find you online?
@harrietdyercomedy on everything apart from Twitter as it’s too long so @harrietdyercom
Harriet Dyer: Skin
3:40pm Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Coorie)31st July - 26th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/harriet-dyer-skin
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