Interview with Harriet Braine
CB: How long have you been gigging in comedy?
GL: Getting on for 3 years.
CB: How would you describe your comedy?
GL: Reluctantly. I never know how to answer this.
CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?
GL: Steve Coogan, Tim Key, Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci, James Acaster, David Mitchell, Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant.
CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?
GL: Yep. Not stand up. That terrified me. But I always dreamed of writing and starring in my own sitcom. Obviously, I love stand up now.
CB: How do you go about writing your material?
GL: Make notes on my phone.
Sit down.
Make a cup of tea.
Write up notes.
Read them back.
They are so shit. Why did I ever think THAT was funny?
I HATE COMEDY.
Feel anxious.
Stare at the wall for hours, self-loathing.
What’s the point? (in comedy, everything else.)
Eat.
Feel better.
Write more.
Still nothing.
Have a bath.
Have the best idea I’ve ever had.
Dry body.
Talc? Nah!
Go to a gig and try Best Idea Ever on stage.
It wasn’t the best idea ever. It’s actually rather shit.
But that other crap bit I wrote earlier worked. It might actually be brilliant!
Get in!
I LOVE COMEDY.
Realise I never drank that cup of tea.
CB: Do you gig as a comedy performer full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material?
GL: I also write adverts, so that helps. It’s taught me the importance of brevity and craft. And I was doing the adverts beforehand so that means I’m not a sell-out, right? Right?
CB: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the comedy circuit?
GL: Enjoyable: Standing on stage being laughed with (/at?).
Frustrating: The hours. I’ve completely lost track of what’s going on in Coronation St.
CB: What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?
GL: A massive one.
CB: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?
GL: The first time I was at the Comedy Store, I walked out on stage and someone immediately shouted “You’re a c**t”. But I don’t usually get people in the audience who are such good judges of character. Most people are very nice to me.
CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?
GL: Just be funny.
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