EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Anna Mann

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