‘I still can’t believe I get paid to make people laugh’: Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Katie Norris

Katie Norris has received critical acclaim and garnered a big following as part of double-act Norris & Parker, but at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe she’s going it alone.

She’s dipping her toes in stand-up for the first time and takes her debut hour Farm Fatale to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, directed Elf Lyons and original music composed by Chris Thomson and Huge Davies.

Here, she answers our burning festival questions….

How are you feeling ahead of this year’s Fringe?

Excited, enthusiastic, nervous and aroused.

What’s your show all about?

‘Farm Fatale’ is my debut solo hour! What is a Farm fatale? An agricultural icon and seductive woman – who is likely to cause delight or distress to anyone who becomes involved with her, or her livestock. Straight from farm to stage and Somerset born and bred, I’ll be exploring the most challenging period of my life – when my cat Atticus went missing only to be found, unofficially adopted and having an affair with a woman who worked in marketing. I’ll act, sing and comedy at the same time, play a French techno DJ and everyone’s favourite comedian, James Acaster, may or may not be making a guest appearance.

What made you decide now was the time to go solo and dip your toes into stand-up?

During the pandemic I turned 30, lost all my work, my relationship ended and shortly after my dad died – but what’s worse than all of that is, I very nearly became an art therapist. Stand-up kept me creative and gave me autonomy because I can gig whenever I want. I still can’t believe I get paid to make people laugh.

How do you find stand-up compared to sketch and character comedy?

You can’t hide behind a wig in stand-up. It’s a conversation with the audience so no gig ever feels the same. I could never totally leave sketch and character comedy behind though, ‘Farm Fatale’ still has characters (but without the wigs), act outs and songs whilst also throwing stand-up into the mix.

If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

I would give everyone working at the Fringe free access to all spa facilities. I think it would be nice to wile away the hours in a jacuzzi trying not to think about that three star review (that read like a four) or that clown you fancy who makes his own industrial techno and told you that you remind him of his mum.

What’s your favourite spot to visit in Edinburgh?

Kilimanjaro Coffee on Nicolson Street. I take a book and order a breakfast once a week during the festival as a special treat to myself for getting through it. Highly recommend the sweetcorn fritters.

How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?

This is my sixth fringe and I am never disappointed. As ever, I look forward to the baked potatoes, the Scottish weather and the artistic inspiration.

What essential item are you packing to survive a month at the Fringe?

My journal. I have kept a journal since I was fourteen (I am now thirty-four). They are full of so much unhinged content that if anyone ever read them I would die. In fact, if anything happens to me during the festival, you are personally responsible for finding them and burning them. For the love of god, please don’t publish them.

Who’d be your dream: podcast guest / co-host, wrestling tag team partner, comedian to split a bill with?

That will always be my comedy duo partner, Sinead Parker. She’s my comedy wife, plus I love any excuse to rugby tackle her to the ground in latex. However, if she’s not free, it would be Julia Davis or Louis Spence.

Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?

I will be stalking Amy Mason, Lou Taylor, Derek Mitchell, Jin Hao Li and Sarah Roberts. Add them to your list, you won’t regret it.

Katie Norris will be performing her solo debut show, ‘Farm Fatale’, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 31st July – 25th August (20:30) at Pleasance Courtyard, Below – tickets on sale now