EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Abi Roberts

Tell us a bit about Anglichanka.

Anglichanka is probably the weirdest title in the Ed Fringe programme. When you say it out loud it sounds a bit like Angry Chunky Lady. It actually means English girl or English woman in Russian. It's a standup show about my association with all things Russian, living in Moscow in the 90s and studying to become an opera singer at the world famous Moscow Conservatoire and going back to Moscow in 2016 to become the first UK comic to do standup in both English and Russian. It also contains one of the campest finales ever involving roses and a stool.... bet you're tempted now... !

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

Over the last couple of years I've built up a fantastic grass roots audience who come to see my brand of standup. It's a show I'm really proud of and it also has messages running through it about how vigilant we have to be about our freedoms. I wanted to bring the show to a really big, international audience. I'm very chuffed to have been invited to the legendary Underbelly this year.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

It's the only standup show at the fringe that contains Hip Hop in Russian, a joke about Lenin, bits of La Boheme and a coup. Oh.. and an Airedale terrier.

What are your top tips for surviving the festival?

I thank my lucky stars to be doing what I do not just at the festival but all year round. Every day I wake up and think: it could be so much worse.. I could be a critic.

Who would you recommend comes to see you?

Everybody and anybody. All are very welcome. Spasibo.

Timings and ticket information for Abi Roberts: Anglichanka are available on the edfringe website.

Photo credit: Karla Gowlett