Queueing in Boots

As am now in Edinburgh it is to be expected when queuing in Boots for a surrogate boho chic sandy swept sea spray for my hair (having left precious item at home) to find the customer behind me wearing full clown make up and a hessian sack. Would have been amazed if the shops were full of shoppers.

Just done Hardeep Singh's show –he had very musty cold and had forgotten his shoes. I suggested he went on in socks –but he was not understandably going to listen to a bright and keen person fresh off the train while he's been slogging his curry skills for two weeks. Couldn’t work out how he'd got to the gig without shoes since he appeared to be wearing socks but hey –me and my London nit picking –anyway the man who was chopping the onions and chillies mercifully also boasted a size 10 and surrendered his red trainers which went rather fetchingly with the tartan kilt.

In other news...

No flyers of my show –haven't sold out yet and it’s only on for ONE NIGHT. bracing myself for humiliation.

Saw Lorraine Chase bending over table in the pizza express –couldn’t hear what she was saying to the diners but I think the central point was to come to her show.

That will be me tomorrow. Best eat first.



Oh... and before I go... in case you haven't got it worked out already: here's the link to buy tickets: http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/evening-with-helen-lederer

Ready for the off

Did the try out gig last night at Tabard Theatre. Nice pub attached as I later discovered. Forgot loads. Had to put my glasses on a lot –the act of putting on glasses seemed to cause hilarity –I may keep this in for Edinburgh show out of desperation –and also because I need to see.

I am playing ‘Miss Moo’ -a cow - on Cbeebies Iconicles. My character breakdown said Miss moo is a kind warm cow. That’s me .Every single weekday 3.45 BBC. moo

Have been spray tanned for Edinburgh (medium to dark) . I may regret this especially as it's not known for being a tropical city - must wash off in a few hours or will resemble Judith Chalmers bless –didn’t have the back done as its only my neck that will be visible in my black clothes – but didn’t want to short change the sprayer - seemed a bit mean to ask for a ‘solo neck spray’.

This weekend I get to do lots of guest spots have made a list which is thus:

Hardeep Singh’s ‘Chat Masala’ at the Gilded Balloon Teviot
Event WebsiteFestivalHighlights.com
Date & Time Friday 19 Aug 2pm

Scott Capurro’s ‘Position’ at the Gilded Balloon Teviot
Event Website gildedballoon.co.uk
Date & Time Sunday 21st Aug 4.30pm

Edinburgh Book Festival Unbound's Literary Death Match
Monday 22 August 9:00pm - 11:00pm I will be on the judging panel. Achieving cult status around the world from Beijing to San Francisco, and landing a literary punch here in Charlotte Square Gardens for one night only! The Literary Death Match sends four writers against one another with only words as their weapon, all in the hunt to win the LDM crown. These writers have to dazzle a panel off all-star judges and most importantly, you, the audience, with their most exciting, insightful, funny, moving writing. The top two go on to the evening’s finale, a death-defying battle of literary ridiculousness… There can be only one winner!

In Defence of Politics: What is Comedy and Satire Doing to Our Politics?
Sat 27th August 18:30 – 19:30, Main Chamber, £6.00 (Concessions £3.50). Book in advance Does political comedy and satire undermine public support in democratic politics by constantly deriding politicians and under-playing the challenges of governing? Are comedians to some degree responsible for the existence of a large number of 'disaffected democrats'? Is there such a thing as 'civic comedy' and could it be funny? Should politicians spend more time reflecting on their responsibilities to the public and less time mocking politicians? This event explores these questions by bringing together a number of comedians, satirists and political scientists. On the panel: Comedienne Helen Lederer, Tim Telling of the Daily Mash, stand-up comic Matt Forde (invited) and Professor Steven Fielding of the University of Nottingham. http://www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk/day7.htm

This and That

Time is closing in –what if no one one comes to my show …? Have used memory and hypnotist to nail the lines – the key is association -  I am imagining a journey through my garden so when I'm sitting on my garden bench I’m really doing hilarious comedy about my divorce – and when I’m at my tomato plant I’m really doing my routine about a tantric couples' workshop in Finchley. Yes, it all makes sense.



PAPER REVIEW SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST
Broadcasting House BBC Radio 4

Early start with delectable Paddy Campbell –the brain box man who chairs it- he claims to also host a programme for the BBC world news about Guatemalan angling – but I don’t quite believe him.

Reviewing the papers comedian Helen Lederer, author of The Junior Officers
 Reading Club Patrick Hennessy and Sky News reporter Mark Stone

We three reviewers were given a pile of newspapers each, a pair of scissors and a spanking new file pad . These were not gifts. No. We were to choose 5 stories each, cut them out, write down the name and page number of the paper and then take away the number we first thought of – No I mean we were to conjure an interesting and original take on said item – I was exhausted and it was only 7.45am.




Patrick Hennessy and Mark Stone were both clever and brave people as well as heroes having been on the front line in urban and foreign wars - but also gallant. I bagsied the story about male pants – interestingly Mark Stone quite wanted that one too. Some things just find their own home though …

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnj3

Comic Roots

From yesterday's Edinburgh Evening News ....

"Returning to her comic roots has set the comedian thinking. She still remembers that first visit, or rather one particular review..."

Here's the full article: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features/Memory-can-play-funny-tricks.6816846.jp

Enjoy!