EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Maddy Anholt

Tell us a bit about your show

My new show, Herselves is essentially all about the women - or men - that live inside of us. People that we bring out at different occasions to deal with different situations. I realise how that sounds like multiple personality disorder, or disassociate personality disorder as it's now called... but it's true. When your boss is being a dick you have one version of yourself, when someone mistakes 'sharing' your food for 'eating all of your food' there's another, when your best friend does something super cringe, there's another version of you. A face for every occasion as they say. That's my show... behind every successful woman is herselves.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

I think Edinburgh is the making or breaking of a show. And I've had it both ways. It forces you to thrash it around in front of every audience every day or night for a month - there's no better way to refine your show. It's also an unrivalled platform. It's sink or swim. I realise for the course of this interview I have just been talking in sayings...

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

I like to think my show is real escapist entertainment and it's so high energy, broken up into bite size character chunks, that there should be something for everyone. And also *ahem* it was nominated 'Best New Show' earlier this year at Leicester Comedy Festival so it's gotta be at least ok.

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

Anyone wanting to escape fake news, dull news, depressing news, shocking news, sad news, bad news. Anyone who just wants to be entertained. This is the show for you.

I set out not to do a political show but to amalgamate all of the characters I've been working on over the years. It's my 30th this year and I just thought.... this is the year to do exactly the show I want to do. F the haters, as they say.

Are there any other performances you're hoping to catch at the festival?

Oh, too many to count. With it being the 70th Anniversary I'm excited it's going to be even bigger and better. Just off the top of my head, I'm looking forward to seeing HarDeep Singh Kohli's new show, Dane Baptiste, Tiff Stevenson, Lolly Adefope... oh, I could be here for hours!

Timings and ticket information for Maddy Anholt: Herselves are available on the edfringe website.

Photo Credit: Karla Gowlett