Interview with Robyn Perkins

"Number one piece of advice: don't go until you KNOW you are ready. The biggest mistake is someone doing their first hour too early."

Interview with Robyn Perkins

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

I am Robyn Perkins, a London-based, American comic, bringing my second hour long show to the Fringe this year called MATING SELECTION. 

How would you describe your show?

The show, Mating Selection, was inspired by my experience on a live dating show about a year ago. The show explores how people and society influence morality as well as present day dating. It is very honest, as well as philosophical and scientific show... and is of course funny!

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

EdFringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, which means a very diverse array of shows. The Fringe allows you to explore any topic, in any way, and then perform it to an international audience. It is hard to not be inspired by what is an annual epicentre of artistic talent. 

What differentiates it from other festivals?

I think what makes EdFringe different is not just it's size, but its quality and international presence. It is not just people from Scotland who visit the Fringe, or even the rest of the UK, but EdFringe attracts audience from around the world. 

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

I came into comedy on a whim. I was working as a Landscape Architect in London. I had only seen live stand-up a handful of times. One of my friends asked if I wanted to take a stand-up course with him, and from the first time I held a mic, I knew I would be doing it for the rest of my life. Currently, my two big inspirations are Robin Ince and Sara Pascoe. I have been trying to thread science into my shows, as well as create comedy with greater meaning. I think stand-up has a unique way of changing the audience's perception on life. People's guards are down when they are laughing. I really respect comedy that does this in addition to being truly funny. 

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

If I wasn't a comic, I would probably go back to design, however, focus more on furniture design? I am currently living in the smallest flat-lette in London, so I have designed all of the furniture to have multiple usages. I also would put more time into the marine biology charity that I am work with: Ocean Matters. I did marine biology before design, and it is still something I am quite passionate about. 

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

A comic. That's why I am doing it. Although, being a professional hip-hop dancer would also be fun for a few months. 

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

I do have vague memories of macaroni art. I guess the first concrete memory was my role in How to Eat Like a Child. I think I was 11 or 12. In all the school plays, I always had the largest non-singing role. I can act, but I have one of the worst voices in the world. Tone-deaf does not even START to describe how bad it is. 

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

Of course. By the nature of our work, we are influencers. I don't think every comic will agree, but I think every time we perform, we have a responsibility to be a role model in today's society. And every time we perform, we have an opportunity to be the voice of how we want the world to be. Obviously, there is a time for jokes that are just funny, and not deeply laden in thought (I have loads of them). The club scene wouldn't exist without them. And I acknowledge sometimes audiences just want to laugh and not think. But we do have a responsibility to make sure whatever we say (intelligent or not) is upheld by our moral values.  Our views do subconsciously (or sometimes consciously) influence the way audience members think and what society finds acceptable. 

As for current events, part of our job is to stay informed. However, I do not feel pressure to write about the news every week, unless (as an American) Trump has done something particularly offensive; audiences then expect an explanation. Actually wait, I guess I do constantly feel that pressure.  

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

I do think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected my work, but definitely for the better. I think we are all more critical of our own material and investigating where the humour comes from within a joke, who is the victim of the joke, and what are we really saying. 

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

Confident development and growing self-belief. 

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

I feel like I should say someone more exotic than Robin Ince (though it would be a dream). With that, I would say Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

Hamilton is such a layered, genius piece of art, that is so politically relevant and socially conscious. Its construction is immensely impressive on so many levels. Lin Manuel as a person, has had such a positive influence on America, and the world and remains an amazing role model. 

Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?

In short, I think that decision lies in what you want to get out of the Fringe and what your show involves. 

I do love the Free Festival, and did Laughing Horse for many years. However, my shows are now too tech/prop heavy for Free Festival; there isn't a room that suits it. On the flip side, it is much easier to make money on the Free Festival. The stereotype that paid fringe is more prestigious than free fringe is dying. There are nominated shows in both paid and non-paid venues. In truth, it is about what suits you better as an act. I know that is very vague and plays both sides... and that is intentional. 

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

Number one piece of advice: don't go until you KNOW you are ready. The biggest mistake is someone doing their first hour too early. 

It’s helpful to go up to the Fringe a year before to check it out. Do other shows to promote yourself. See shows. See more shows. And finally have fun.  

When and where can people see your show?

Underbelly Bristo Square (Daisy), 5:50pm, July 31-Aug25th (not 12th)


You can see Robyn Perkins: Mating Selection at Underbelly Daisy from 31st July – 25th August at 5:50pm. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com

Header Image Credit: Steve Ullathorne

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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