Interview with Evelyn Mok

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
I am Evelyn Mok, I am a Swedish-Chinese comedian who’s lived and performed in the UK since 2012. I am an optimist, I love cheese and still eat it even though I am quite lactose intolerant.

Tell us about your show?
It’s about re-examining childhood experiences from an adult perspective and how they may have impacted your life. I explore my own agency, the third-culture-kid-experience and there will be a lot of talk about cake.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is it different from other festivals?
It is a festival unlike any other. The general atmosphere throughout the month is quite electric and there is so much art and comedy around you to take in. It’s quite amazing. Also, as a comedian performing at the festival, it is like a bootcamp, there is no other place in the world where you can get up on a stage and perform as many times a day and you really feel the impact on your development when you head back to the circuit in the fall.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I’ve always loved comedy and always wanted to perform on stage. I watched a lot of north American comedy, sketch in fact, like SNL, Kids in the Hall, Chappelle show, it took me a while to realize that they weren’t just funny actors but actually comedians which was exciting. It wasn’t until I saw Swedish comedian Björn Gustafsson on the Swedish version of Mock the Week that I realized I could pursue comedy in Sweden.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I don’t feel pressure about being current because I believe that my material reflects my current state of mind and self, so commentary on current events seep in automatically, however I do feel pressure about being truthful and honest in my material.

Equally, do you feel there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I try to be mindful in my comedy, especially when it comes to sensitive subjects because I believe you can joke about anything as long as you make your intent clear. Ironically, I feel like the public sentiment is catching up with the sentiments of minority groups who have been voicing their struggles have been going on forever but are only getting recognized now.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Devestating, frustrating, empowering, hopeful.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Go visit the fringe the year before to see what it is like, because it is a tough festival to perform at. Go see shows by people who are doing what you want to do and see how they have managed to do it. If possible, ask them if they want to grab and drink so you can pick their brain about it. Know what you want out of the fringe, make it clear for yourself so that when the run is feeling tough you can go back to those thoughts and remember why you were doing it in the first place.

And what advice do you wish you’d been given when entering the industry?
It’s going to be tougher than you think and everyone feels it so don’t freak out.

When and where can people see your show?
Evelyn Mok - Bubble Butt
Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One
6PM everyday of the fringe 1-26 aug. 2018

And where can people find, follow and like you online?
Twitter / Instagram: @evelynmok
FB: www.fb.com/Mokfejs
www.evelynmok.com