Interview with comedian Brennan Reece

"Tried it once, it went well….and 10 years later it is a hobby that has got drastically out of hand!"

Interview with comedian Brennan Reece

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

No! Jokes. Of course. I am, Brennan Reece. A 63 year old housewife from Donegal. Joking. I never know what to say. I am a curly haired working class comedian from the North of England. I love my Mum, my Dog and my Slow Cooker.

How would you describe your show?

I want it to be a binding experience. Something for me, and the audience. The past few years I have felt really lonely and I know other people have too! So I wanted to create an hour where we all feel in the room, in the moment and together. Oh and it’s dead dead funny. I should mention it’s funny.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It has changed throughout my career. When I first came, it was because it was the done thing. You gig for a few years and then you go and gamble money you don’t have on putting on a show. Then I came to be seen by TV producers and build my profile. Now after a couple of years away…I am doing it for myself. To push myself. To create something that only I could create. Did I mention it’s funny?

What differentiates it from other festivals?

The city is beautiful. The crowds are amazing. But the sad thing that differentiates it from other festivals is the cost. I don’t think the general public realise how much of a strain it puts on performers. Every show in a paid venue costs the performer around 10 grand. This year I would say it is closer to 13! Who has that money? The super privileged. Not working class comedians like myself. So unfortunately it’s a big risk and a big stress.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

I just wanted to try stand up once. I was in a little rut in my life as a 25 year old still living at home. Tried it once, it went well….and 10 years later it is a hobby that has got drastically out of hand! My inspirations are the usual comedians; Billy Connolly, Lee Evans, Peter Kay. But my real inspirations are the people I grew up with, the family, the friends, the weirdos that live on my Mums estate.

How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career? 

It’s been a blessing and a curse. It has added a lot of pressure. The industry is very London centric and lots of people come from the Oxbridge universities (People would think it was weird if that many comedians had come from Stoke Uni), so there is a huge dose of imposter syndrome that is dumped on you from day one. But I wouldn’t change my upbringing for the world. Where I grew up was poor. But we didn’t know. Poor people don’t walk around like an extra from Les Mis begging for change. We just get on with it.

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

Art wasn’t really a thing we were brought up with. Honestly, the closest thing we had to art was a primary school display - PVA glue, cardboard toilet rolls, fairy liquid bottles. And it was amazing!

If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

I would love to be an interior designer. I have pretty crippling OCD, so putting things in places where I want them and making them look pretty is kind of the dream.

Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now? 

I care less. In the most caring way. I love this job, I love this art form, I love creating. But I used to pile so much pressure on myself to get it right and work 24/7. But when the world shuts down and you realise that this job isn’t the be all and end all, it isn’t the only thing that can bring you joy, you relax a bit more and take a step back.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

Sad. Really really really sad. 

Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’? 

I think cancel culture (unless it is an illegal act or purposefully intended to cause hate) is counterproductive. There is always going to be someone annoyed and upset or disappointed and unsatisfied with every piece of art. We live in a world where we have everything that has ever been created at our fingertips, if you don’t like it, go and watch Miranda…

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

Billy Connolly. Not even work with. I’d love to just sit with him for an afternoon. I think he exudes such joy and passion for people. He is the type of person I would love to grow into.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?

I’d say do it…once. Try anything once. But if you have a burning passion to create a show…go and do it, why not…we all die at the end anyways.

When and where can people see your show?

It is at The Pleasance Courtyard (8.20pm) every day during the fringe.

And where can people find, follow and like you online?

Instagram is the one I use most. It’s the most joyous. @brennanreece


Brennan Reece: Crowded is at the Pleasance Courtyard at 8:20pm from 3rd – 29th August. For tickets go to www.edfringe.com

Header Image Credit: Ben Wulf

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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