The Show Time Series with Tiff Stevenson
CB: What is your show about?
TM: It’s about me. It’s about being black, being a black woman and being adopted at 14. There’s other stuff in it too like searing social commentary and jokes so it’s not all boring.
CB: Why did you write this show?
TM: After doing comedy for seven years I thought it was time I did an hour show and hour about me and my life seemed like a good idea.
CB: What comedians and comedy writers have impacted the way you write your show structures and material?
TM: I grew up watching French and Saunders on telly and like watching Gene Wilder in Mel Brooks films, I can safely say none of these people or things have impacted the way I write and structure my shows. I do like the deadpan personas of Jennifer Saunders and Gene Wilder though, I’m similarly deadpan. It’s not really a persona with me though, it’s my actual personality.
CB: What is your advice for new comedians and writers who want to write their first show?
TM: Wait a few years, nobody wants to hear someone with only 5-10 minutes of material trying to do an hour. Share an hour slot with someone or if you can do it with two others, even better. Do a 40/45 minutes solo show before you do an hour. When you’re ready wait a year and then you’ll be really ready when you do your hour.
Twayna Mayne will perform her show Black Girl at the Edinburgh Festival.
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