Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hi! I’m Michelle Shaughnessy. I’m from Canada, recently moved to London. I’ve been a standup for over a decade and have also done some writing and acting. Nice to “meet” you!
How would you describe your show?
Honest, funny and vulnerable! My show is me. It’s who I am and I am very proud to be showing that. It feels very true.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
It’s where comics go to leave better comics. I think that’s the one thing I’ve heard about it as long as I can remember. I want to have that experience. To have that grind. That hustle. I know I’ll have moments of regret during but I have no doubt I’ll come away stronger from it!
What differentiates it from other festivals?
I think the fact that it’s not JUST comedy or JUST plays it’s a bit of everything and people come form all over the world to perform at it! I’m looking forward to having a better answer to this after it’s done.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
My mom wanted me to try it. I wanted to be a serious actress. I still do some days lol. Seems much less emotional! Any time I saw a female comic on TV, whether it be a local one or a famous one, I always find that inspirational.
It wasn’t normal to see a women doing that on TV back then so I was always drawn to that.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
I was picked on a lot growing up. I desperately wanted to be popular. That for sure shaped me as a human and as a comedian. I also went to Catholic school and I started to find that utterly ridiculous pretty early on and questioned a lot of what I was taught. I think questioning things at a young age probably shaped me comedically too.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Kindergarten. We had to make a pictures of our dad’s for Father’s Day. They gave us macaroni, wool, felt pieces, lots of little craft things to use. I asked the teacher for grey wool because my dad has some grey hair and she was hesitant because she didn’t want him to be offended. She asked my mom if it was okay to do that and my mom said of course!
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I tend to get really into health fads. Juice cleanses, workouts, cooking and creating healthy recipes. I would probably be doing something in that field. Maybe a juice line or a line of vegan organic snacks. Something over the top and overpriced for sure!
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
Not really. When standup first went on hiatus due to lockdowns I was depressed and got super into reality television. I thought I’d use my time off more wisely but I certainly did not. About 7 months into the first lockdown we had in Canada the film industry reopened and not having standup gigs freed me up to do more auditioning. I ended filming a few bit parts so that was nice to still get to do something creative. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel onstage after so much time off but it felt just normal. Despite the fact that we had plexi glass on the stage and the audience was further back…it still felt just like where I left off.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Draining, expensive, adventurous, new, exciting!
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
What is cancel culture? Everyone seems to have their own definition of what that is. I’m not sure anyone can answer this with accuracy when there’s not one agreed upon definition. But if you’re asking me if I think people should be allowed to say what they want. Sure. That’s what free speech is. It doesn’t mean I think people shouldn’t be able to call them out either though That’s also free speech.
But this whole idea of trying to get a set removed from Netflix, or trying to get someone banned from a club for their words, that I’m not sold on. I do think it’s not that hard to just ignore and not watch.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Joan Rivers. 100% Joan Rivers. She was an icon, an inspiration and came up in comedy at a time where it was much harder for females than it is now. I have no doubts she had to deal with some awful hurdles.
When and where can people see your show?
Underbelly-Jersey 8:30 pm. WOO HOO see ya there!
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
@Michellesfunny on Instagram and Twitter! I do have a facebook fan page but I never check it. I hate facebook.
Michelle Shaughnessy’s debut stand up show ‘Be Your Own Daddy’ will be at the Underbelly Bristo Square Jersey Room for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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