Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Anna Mann

By:
Featured Topic Edinburgh Festival More Coverage

BWW speaks to Anna Mann, star of stage and screen (and creation of acclaimed character comedian Colin Hoult) about her 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show A SKETCH SHOW FOR DEPRESSIVES.

What can you tell us about A Sketch Show For Depressives?

It's a gag-packed hour of sketches, skits, what we used to call in the business 'willy ticklers' along the theme of depression and anxiety. It's for people who need a break from the relentless awful bum ache of life.

What inspired the show?

Well, mainly my own brush with depression and its pissy little sister Anxiety. I always thought it was just a very long hangover, but my old pal Sue Clinch suggested there might be something up, so I headed on down to the NHS. And they said, surprise surprise, 'Sorry we can't help with that', and yes they were a dentist but still... Eventually I got to the right place, and they put me in a sort of discussion therapy group. Well, within 10 minutes I was running it and in half an hour I was doing an Edinburgh show. I used the true stories of the people I met in the group. I didn't ask their permission. I couldn't be bothered.

Is this your first trip to the Fringe?

I appeared once back in '94 in a little play called 'Write your name on my Cummerbund'. Very raunchy period piece. Suffice it to say we all got pregnant.

What is the background of Anna Mann?

Well, usually some sort of rural scene, perhaps a castle or something like that. But the budget's tight, so probably just a black curtain I imagine.

Why should audiences come to see your show?

It's brave, it's visceral, it's true, most of all it's funny and it's packed with fluids. You'll leave absolutely dripping, but you'll be glad of it.

Timings and ticket information for Anna Mann: A Sketch Show for Depressives are available on the edfringe website.

Photo credit: Edward Moore

Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical in Scotland Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical
Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/05-8/29) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Elvis in Chaos in Scotland Elvis in Chaos
Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) VIDEOS
They’re Just Small Town (Northern) Lads in Scotland They’re Just Small Town (Northern) Lads
Summerhall (8/06-8/16)
Broke & Fabulous in the 21st Century in Scotland Broke & Fabulous in the 21st Century
Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/05-8/31)
Sanctuary in Scotland Sanctuary
Pleasance Dome (Ace Dome) (8/05-8/31)
I Bought a Flip Phone in Scotland I Bought a Flip Phone
ZOO (Playground 2) (8/07-8/30)
Father, Away She Goes in Scotland Father, Away She Goes
Zoo (Playground 1) (8/07-8/30)
DECKHAND in Scotland DECKHAND
theSpace @ Niddry Street (8/24-8/29)
Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years in Scotland Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years
The Stand 1 (9/23-9/23)
Spin Cycle in Scotland Spin Cycle
Underbelly (Clover) (8/05-8/31)