Hello Martha, so where ya from & where ya at, geographically speaking?
Locale – wise- originally from Glasgow – now I’ m a Londoner

When did you first realise you were, well, funny?
I was always a good mimic and used to make people laugh with my impersonations of people around; teachers, colleagues and so on. I decided to try stand-up later in life, with no idea what I was doing, or how to make a career from it. Over the last 20 years I have dipped my toe in then, had lengthy hiatuses.

The Glaswegian comic is traditionally a no-holds-barred, in-yer-face truth-seeking kinda creature. Can you tell us why that is?
Glaswegians are not really ‘in yer face. We just don’t have the same politeness gene that English people have. It’s often said that people from the North of Scotland are softer, gentler. That’s because they never see anybody. I do tell true stories which is pure Glaswegian.

What are the secrets of a good joke?
It has to be funny. Other than that, I have absolutely no idea.

What does Martha McBrier like to do when she’s not being funny?
Nothing. I live to be funny.

Your partner is also a comedian – Matt Price – how funny is your household?
We have a very silly humour-play when we are in the house together. Silly faces, dances, voices. It’s embarrassing, really. We run things by one another all the time. That’s good fun. I am definitely Matt’s muse.

You are bringing us your show ‘Balmory Doubtfire,’ to the Fringe. Can you tell us about it?
Last year, I nearly died, was the victim of false allegations, tried to stop terrorism, found the man who attacked me years previously, lying in the street, and learned to play the didgeridoo. It’s a show about kindness

Can you sum up the Fringe experience in a single sentence?
I find trying to sum things up in a single sentence very stressful. So, no, I can’t

You’ve been performing at the Fringe for over a decade now, how has the festival evolved in that time?
It’s so big! I love that Free shows and Pay-what-you-like shows have developed in number and credibility. I was the first person to get a 5 star Scotsman review for a free show and I am very proud of that. (ooh get her)

What does the rest of 2017 hold in store for Martha McBrier?
I will be working on a didgeridoo CD, which will include covers of ABBA, Queen, Liberty X and Stormzy.

---

You can catch Martha right now at the Fringe

Aug 3-27 : Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake (17.00)