Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
I’m Tiff Stevenson. My ego suggests you should know who I am. If you don’t, well I’m a stand up, actor and writer who is worth your time I reckon. You may have seen me on People Just Do Nothing, Mock The Week, Game Face or heard me on The Bugle
How would you describe your show?
It’s called Sexy Brain and it’s about how I overthink stuff, why labels aren’t useful, mid-life crises and whether I’m turning into my mother. The usual. I always have stuff about politics and reproductive rights in their too so expect that.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I go to create a new show to tour, for comics it’s like going to the gym 25 days in a row. Wait till you see how fit I am after! I promise not to skip leg day. This will probably be my last one for a while so book your ticket now or live with eternal gut wrenching regret.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
It’s vastness, and the vibe once you are there. Surrounded by creativity and art, having your mind opened to all this fantastic stuff. There is nothing else like it. It’s like the Open in golf, anyone and everyone can come. Well not everyone…working class people are being priced out. If I was starting out I just wouldn’t be able to afford to build an audience this way. I think this is something that really needs fixing so that entertainment doesn’t become this hegemonic privileged art form.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
Lots of different ones! Victoria Wood really opened up my eyes to creating characters as a kid and being funny. Lily Savage was a must watch. I loved Eddie Murphy and watched all of his videos on VHS with my mates. We quoted the bits about farting in the tub and McDonalds at home relentlessly. So Eddie made me realise that people did stand up as an actual job. Joan Rivers made me realise women did it! So quite varied.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
See above about being working class. I used to have a routine about how different my life would be if I sounded like Joanna Lumley. The TV channels are run by people who went to the elite top five universities together. The venues are run by the same grads, as are a few of the big comedy agencies. They all have this shorthand and familiarity which means they book each other on shows. I remember turning up to a TV recording once with my old agent and all the producers were like ‘remember when you got mad drunk at freshers week? Look at us all now!’ Of course everyone wants to work with their mates but it’s a bit depressing if you aren’t part of that gang. You are automatically on the outside looking in. Also all discussion about comedy in media is constantly framed as ‘left v right wing’ or ‘woke v unwoke’ . There is very little material class analysis. There are comedy journalists out there who are very denigrating about comics who come through the clubs and have to actually make money. As if that’s beneath the pure art of someone whose parents fund their fringe run.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Well I did Ballet for years as a kid, so we did 3 days at Sadlers Wells once during the summer holidays. Got to watch the professional ballerinas warm up and rehearse. That was pretty fantastic. Then we went to see Bonnie Langford perform as Peter Pan in panto. So there is my artistic entry point – pantomimes.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Writing novels on a Greek beach like a cockney Shirley Valentine.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
Not so much, maybe less pressing of flesh afterwards! I was over-committing pre-pandemic so I’ve scaled back my commitments a bit. I appreciate the audience that come even more and remember how much of a joy it is to do this as a job.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Frantic, Frustrating, Beautiful, Hopeful, Spiritual
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
I think people are way too quick to point out the mistakes of others rather than investigate their own failings. We should be focussing on making ourselves better not shouting at others for their perceived failings. Obviously not applicable if you are a politician for obvious reasons
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I’d would have loved to work with Marilyn Monroe who I think had a comedic gift often diminished because she was so beautiful. Maya Angelou because I would have just loved to be in a room with her brilliant mind.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Try to build as much of an audience as you can before you come and do your first run. Mitigate your losses a bit. Bring the show as ready as you can make it to help yourself. Have fun.
When and where can people see your show?
8pm Pleasance Courtyard
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
@tiffstevenson Twitter
@tiffstevensoncomic - Insta & Tik Tok
Tiff Stevenson’s new stand up show ‘Sexy Brain’ is at the Pleasance Courtyard Above at 8pm for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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