Maeve Higgins arrives at the bar in the Gilded Balloon with a freshly-baked cake that she plans to give away at her show this evening. There's something that not many people would do, isn't it? Having being bowled over by the realness of her stand-up, I was interested to see what she would be like to chat with. The simple answer? Exactly as I had expected, and more!
Can you tell us a bit about your show?
MH - Well, it's my third show, and it's mainly just stupid jokes told quietly! It's not political or anything and I don't think it's very controversial. Sometimes I feel I do get quite controversial, but people don't pick up on it. In the past, I've said stuff like, "I find Primark quite expensive," and they're like, "Wow, wow, this is the new Brendan Burns!"
How did the show come to you?
MH - Because I just tell stories about stuff that happens to me. I just try and live my life. Then, whatever happens, I just write it down. I don't really make stuff up.
How do you write your jokes/stories?
MH - It's kind of stories, and then the jokes just come out of the stories, I guess! I don't do mean jokes, it is just funny stories told quietly! Riveting, or what?!
That's what I liked about your comedy style, it just seemed a lot more "real."
MH - Thanks, JD! It is tricky because some people are like, "Hey, she's just chatting!" But I have put some thought into the chat. I don't say everything that comes into my head, but sometimes I do! Sometimes I say, "Oh, I haven't straightened my hair!" and people are just waiting on the joke and I genuinely just forgot to straighten it! I do want it to be as natural as possible. I wouldn't want to change my accent, or the rhythm when I talk.
Are you enjoying your time in Edinburgh? Do you like coming here?
MH - Yeah I do, I love it! The first year it was scary, because it was a new place and you don't know anybody. But now, I know a lot of other UK comics because in Ireland, you don't really get to meet English ones. I do really love the city - we're living down in the New Town, and it's really posh! On one side there is an Aga Shop, and the other side there is a chandelier shop! I think it's just an exciting city to live in.
What's been the most enjoyable place that you've performed?
MH - In the world?
Yeah.
MH - Well, I really like The Stand in Glasgow. I think that might be one of my favourite gigs, and I like the Stand in Edinburgh, too. There's also a really funny club in Galway, and everybody down there drinks Buckfast.
Yeah, a lot of people drink that here too!
MH - Maybe that's the similarity? I always seem to have the best gigs when everyone is out of it on Buckfast!
What did you do before you did comedy?
MH - Well, I did a diploma in photography and I was also working in a clothes shop for years. It was like this surfer/skater shop, which is totally inappropriate for me, the most rural girl in the world! I did really like it, because you're working with other people. In stand-up you're usually on your own, which is annoying!
Do you remember your very first show? What was it like?
MH - I don't remember! I did like four gigs, in an open spot where you had like, five minutes and I actually can't remember it! I just blanked them out because I was so terrified! I would start to get scared around lunch time, and I wouldn't eat and my gig wouldn't be until about ten. And then right after I would be like, "What happened there?" Kind of like a superhero! It is strange though, because I would like to be able to remember. I remember for a year, I couldn't look at the audience, I would just look at a back wall and not even take into account people's reactions. I used to speak really fast as well, and because my accent is fast anyway it was really, really fast!
Was it your friends who said you should get up and be a comic?
MH - No, nobody ever told me! I was very quiet in school, but I did find out that a lot of comedians are quite quiet. I just always had it in the back of my mind to try it. I never thought that I wanted to go and be a comedian, I just knew I wanted to try it!
Did you get encouragement from your family?
MH - Yeah! My dad's a builder, and he just wants us all to be builders as well, and I was like, "Dad, I can't . . . I'm terrible at maths!" He's happy if we're doing anything that keeps us out of trouble.
Is there one specific gig that you remember as being just awful?
MH - Yeah! I did one in Dundalk, which is in the Midlands of Ireland, and it's the most boring place ever! And it was like this Rag Week, and everyone was just hammered, so I got up and started talking about my cats, and they were just having none of it and started to throw things at me! I think that's the sign of a bad gig, when things are being hurled!
Did you walk off?
MH - Yeah, I had to! It's the only time that's ever happened though.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
MH - Oh, I like watching Two Fat Ladies at the moment! I bought the box set of that, so we've been watching that. I've seen three so far! I may go and try and find somewhere to go swimming too and see as many shows as I can!
What kind of music do you like?
MH - I like loads of different types . . . I like soul, electronica and some hip-hop, all sorts!
Is there anyone you would like to work with?
MH - I'm having fun doing a kids show with David O'Doherty [also on at this year's Fringe]. We have been friends for a long time, so it's nice to work with him. In stand-up, you're on your own a lot, so maybe in the future I would like to work with someone else.
And on that note, the interview comes to a close. We do sit and discuss my urge to try out stand-up after seeing so much of it this year, something that Maeve encourages me to do. So now, who knows. It could be on the stage here next year! As for Maeve Higgins? She's every bit as lovely as anyone could hope, so get yourself over to the Gilded Balloon and try and get that cake she has to offer!