Interview with Cam Spence

"At the age of three I remember listening to the Smurf’s Christmas album and really rather enjoying it. The characters, the melodies, the high pitches. One of our culture’s finest works."

Interview with Cam Spence

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

My name is Cam Spence, I’ve got brown hair, green eyes, UK size six feet, I can swim and my hairdresser is 5 ft 10.

How would you describe your show?

I’d describe my show as The Sunshine Clinic, because that is its name. If I described it any more I’d describe it as a character comedy show set in a fictional rehab called ‘Sunshine Clinic’ (recently crowned by Recovery Magazine as “Britain’s Clinic Closest to the M4”!)

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

Because I’m in trouble with the law and I need to lay low for a month while my DNA is being processed. I know a lot of good people up there who will look after me and protect my identity.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

Because it’s a magical place, we’re on our way there, with toys in their millions, all under one roof. It’s Called Toys’R’Us! Toys’R’Us! Toys’R’Us!

What first motivated you to enter the industry?

My friend Paddy took me to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014 and I was like, "woah, comedy’s quite funny and nice?!" I honestly don’t think I’d ever seen or heard anything funny before then. I practically screamed in every show. And when I wasn’t doing that I was crying on the street, "I WANT TO DO A SHOW!” And a star was born. 

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

I love love love asking people very personal questions. You can get away with doing that if you’re a therapist. So I’d be one of those. And I’d be absolutely grinning from ear to ear in every session.

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

Britney Spears’ therapist. The girl’s a puzzle! Is her father controlling her? Does he allow her to have a phone? How is her Instagram page so good? I must know!

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

At the age of three I remember listening to the Smurf’s Christmas album and really rather enjoying it. The characters, the melodies, the high pitches. One of our culture’s finest works.

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

I don’t feel either of those pressures because I would never be able to do either of those things; I always feel like the least informed gal at the ball. My only ability on social media is writing utter nonsense so that is, I’m afraid, what I shall continue to do.

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

Yes, fidget spinners really swept the nation in 2016. I felt a lot of pressure to respond to this shift in public sentiment and as a result I have put one reference to the existence of fidget spinners in my show.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

Twenty eighteen and twenty nineteen

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

 I’d work with my director Charlie Dinkin because she is one of the wisest, funniest, smartest people I’ve ever heard speak out loud and I’ve enjoyed working with her more than I’ve ever enjoyed working with anyone and I’ve worked with Gary, the District manager for B&Q Nottingham.

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?

The benefits of a ticketed event are that you can check how many tickets you’ve sold. The limitations of a ticketed event are that you can check how many tickets you’ve sold. The benefits of a free fringe event are that you can’t check how many tickets you’ve sold. The limitations of a free fringe event are that you can’t check how many tickets you’ve sold

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

Tell your mum that you love her every day of your life. Never trust a man who wears pop socks. Always make double the amount because then you have leftovers.

When and where can people see your show?

You can see my show at 4.30pm every day from 31stJuly - 25 August (excluding 12th) at the Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh.

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

Find, follow, like and love me @camgurrrl on Twitter and Instagram


Credit Line: See Cam Spence: The Sunshine Clinic at the Pleasance throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 31stJuly to 25thAugust 2019. For tickets visitwww.edfringe.com

Header Image Credit: Provided

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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