New Interview: Angela Barnes: Page 2 of 2

Angela Barnes

5. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?

My Mum couldn't be prouder of what I do, she doesn't even mind when I tell blatant lies about her on stage for laughs. I think she just likes being involved... at least, I think she doesn't mind, for all I know I could be out of the will.

My Dad passed away before I started doing stand-up, so he never got to see me perform. It's something that I will always be sad about, because there is no doubt that I got my sense of humour from him. I know he'd be really proud too, probably quite embarrassingly so.  

I believe that it was because my Dad died suddenly that I started doing comedy, it was a reaction to it, a sort of "fuck it, life's too short, go and do that thing you always wanted to do before it's too late". That is why my Dad was such a big part of my first show, it was so important to me that he was there.

 

6. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Just to tug on the ol' heartstrings a bit, I think it's the loneliness. Working evenings and weekends means that I feel slowly distanced from my non-comedy friends and family. They have, quite rightly, stopped bothering to invite me to things, because I usually have to say "no".  

I think the impression of what I do from the outside is of someone hanging out with other comedians all the time, joking, larking about, drinking, partying, shagging. My life couldn't be less like that. I spend more time in my pyjamas than out of them. I am often home alone. Or on a train alone. Or in a hotel room alone. Or in a Nando's alone. Or in bed alone. Or listening to The Archers alone (actually, that one's better that way), or, on a really bad day, in McDonalds alone.

Are you sad for me yet?

But then I remember that it is all worth it for the bit where I'm onstage, or the bit where I'm collaborating with other comedians that blow me away, or the bit where I get to meet and work with my heroes. And I bloody well get over myself. I'm a lucky girl. 

 

7. I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

Thank you Bruce, I think you're very good at what you do too. (5 stars next year please, thank you).

I am constantly waiting for the tap on the shoulder and someone with a clipboard telling me "I'm sorry Miss. Barnes, there's been a terrible mix-up, turns out you're not a comedian after all, now, if you'd like to pop along and go and beg for your old job back, there's a good girl".

I find it impossible to analyse myself as a comic. I am just enjoying the ride. I like the process of writing and performing, and, when people laugh, I feel I must be doing it right, but I've no idea how.  

Maybe it helps that I came into comedy relatively late. I was 33 when I did my first open spot. I'd had a lot of real world experience, and I think audiences can sense that and it helps make a connection. 

Or that might be a load of psychobabble wank. 

I think I can be good at what I do. But I have much more respect for performers that are braver than I, more fearless than I. 

One of my favourite acts is James Acaster. I have watched him since he was a brand new open spot. He works his arse off, and has found a way to do comedy his own way, so differently to anybody else. He takes risks, and he learns from when those risks don't pay off. And the result is sublime, he really has the ability to make me properly hoot with laughter. 

Sofie Hagen is also one I am keeping an eye on now. She is fearless and dark, yet hugely likeable and so bloody funny.

  

8. How much do you earn?

Considerably less than a) people assume I earn and b) I used to earn when I had a proper job

Apparently you can't put a price on job satisfaction. Tell that to my bank manager*

I think once you've been on TV once, there is an assumption that it you've "got it made".  Hahahahahahahaha

*What is this, the 70s? I've never met my bank manager. No one has. Do they even exist anymore? There has to be a more up to date reference? "Tell that to my banking app?"

 

9. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

Undoubtedly, yes. I do think that comedy is perhaps more of a meritocracy than many types of performance. You have one job as a comic, to make your audience laugh. If they don't laugh, you've failed. And you won't keep working if you keep failing at that one goal.

I certainly had the lucky break of winning the BBC New Comedy Award in 2011. No one was more surprised by that than me. Because I was an open spot in Brighton, not London, I think it did seem to people in the industry as if I had come from nowhere to win it.  It was the first time I ever thought "Oh, maybe I could do this for a living one day". It got me the attention of agents and bookers, and started me on the road I am on. Yes, I suppose I had to be good enough to win it, but I'd be an idiot to say there wasn't luck involved. Things just came together on the night of the final to create a perfect storm for me. I might have made it to where I am without it, who knows, but it would have taken a hell of a lot longer, and I'm getting on a bit.

 

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