If you reviewed your own show, how would you describe it?
Humble takes you on a surreal and satirical quest through the fantasy genre! And, despite the rumours, I’d hang out with her personally. She seems perfectly fine!
Tell me a little more about your show and what audiences can expect?
Lady of the Lakes is a character comedy show that is wholly accurate to the Legend of King Arthur and no one can dispute that because all the books and knowledge about the subject are lost to time.
Can you talk about some of the creative team involved?
Absolutely! There have been so many people who have helped out with this show and I’m really grateful to all of them! With this being my debut, I am super appreciative of everyone’s knowledge and keeping me on track.
Zoe Coombs Marr’s direction really shaped the themes of the show, which made for a more honest story than what I was originally telling. Coming at it truthfully made the whole thing so much easier to write and for that I’m extremely grateful. Jonno Johnson’s direction really tamed the madness and provided structural insight. Shout out to big JJ!
The following people I’ve had the joy of collaborating with before and are the funniest people I know! Tristan Robinson and James Carbutt have been incredible sounding boards and joke assistants. Matthew Wood shot the dreamiest visuals and George Baker wrote some unbelievably characterful music. Hudson Hughes gifted his powerful voice… literally!! He sent MP3s! And my Dad made a crucial prop for the show. Twice! The first got lost in transit and destroyed!? Cheers, Dad! And no cheers to His Majesty’s postal service!!
My agent Chris and the IAM team pulled through both logistically and creatively; an extremely supportive and thorough bunch.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your work, both in terms of creation and performance?
I love silly voices, movies, and underdogs. Here are some of my favourite comedy people, they’ve probably got something to do with it! Emma Sidi, the Coen Brothers, Sam Campbell, Natasia Demetriou, Key & Peele, Edgar Wright, Rachel Sennott, The Simpsons, Morecambe and Wise, Bob Mortimer, the cast of New Girl, Jake and Amir, Miss Piggy.
Looking at this production, how would you say it links to previous work personally and Thematically?
I really relish being a loser. I think it’s a way more entertaining story to tell. This is my debut hour of solo live comedy but there are definitely similarities with the character I wrote and played in my short film, Chicken Girl. Chicken Girl is a delusional dreamer and constantly undermined by misfortune. It’s so fun to mess around with tragedy in comedy and I love doing that by playing, God bless, duds.
Why is this an important story to tell?
I’ve tried to put a lot of care into crafting something that’s very dumb as piss. But you’ll have to decide whether or not that’s important to you.
What would you like audiences to take away from seeing you at the Fringe?
I would love audiences to see that I am extremely proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud. I hope they get whisked away for a bit and have a lol or two (if they’re lucky)!! I hope the details of the world are enjoyable. If anyone is able to see themselves or take comfort in the freaks I’m playing, that would be majorino.
Do you tend to take inspiration from events happening in the world around you in terms of your work? Do you think artists have a responsibility to respond to what’s happening?
Huge question!!! I think artists naturally respond to their environment and address it either directly or not. Like, people are always influenced by their surroundings, whether that comes across explicitly is dependent on the individual and who views the art.
What do you do to relax in August?
I fall asleep outside of Dynamic Earth.
How do you feel about the current arts landscape in your country and your part in it? Does it excite you and inspire you to keep pushing the boat out?
I love, love, love the weird stuff people are making. I’m so happy that northern voices like Molly McGuiness, Tom Lawrinson, Amy Gledhill, Sam O’Leary, Dan Tiernan, Coal Supper, Metroland, Chris Cantrill, and Joe Kent-Walters are thriving. It’s so major. Their work is so artistic and feels so tactile. More of them, please!!
Have you got your eye on any other shows that are part of the programme?
I’m so gassed to see Rosalie Minnitt’s Clementine sequel (dir. by Tristan Robinson), the return of sketch legends, Metroland, and everyone’s darling, Chris Cantrill! Up the North, plus everyone I live with. If you’re not loyal, you’re worth nothing!!
What’s next for you and how are you feeling about the future in general?
I’m chomping at the bit to make another short film! I’m feral for it. And I feel really good about that, thank you so much!
How can Edinburgh audiences keep up with you beyond the festival?
I’m on-God forbid-line! @em_humble
Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 Aug, 4.20pm