Kate Barron is one of the performers appearing at The Tron@ Just the Tonic, which in a bold move this year has been declared an all female venue.
The Canadian comic moved to London to make a name for herself on the stand-up circuit, leaving behind her life as an art dealer in Toronto.
When lockdown happened and the stages closed Barron decided to transform her life again - losing 13 stone - but not telling a soul back home what she was up to.
'Losing Myself’ covers how it feels to shed half your body weight but also weaves in lots of smutty stories about dating, living alone and figuring out how to live your best life. She’s new to Edinburgh but Kate Barron brings with her a clutch of awards and recommendations. She’s been named as ‘one to watch’ and a ‘rising star' and was the first woman to win the Toronto Comedy Brawl - beating 400 other comics.
Kate Barron’s debut stand up show ‘Losing Myself’ is at the Just The Tonic – The Tron at 9pm from 4th – 28th August. For tickets to go www.edfringe.com
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from checking your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
I have this thing about needing to have fresh breath on stage. I know the audience can’t smell my breath from their seats (maybe if it was really awful they could), but it makes me feel better to brush before I go on or at least pop a mint. Then I usually take one last drink of water, take a deep breath and tell myself to smile. I wear my emotions all over my face, and early on in my comedy career, I saw a video where I was so visibly nervous walking onto the stage, I could tell the audience was nervous for me. So now, I tell myself to smile and I think it helps put myself and the audience at ease.
What irritates you?
Is there a word limit to this answer? From slow walkers, people clapping when the plane lands, to people who stand at the top/bottom of an escalator - what are you doing?! I could give a TED talk on all the things that bother me, but one of my biggest of all time is people who are rude to those who work in customer service. Everyone should have to work in customer service at some point in their lives so they can understand how hard and thankless it often is. It takes nothing to be kind to someone who’s helping you get what you want. Being rude to people in customer service gives small dick energy, and I’ll happily call it out every time.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I wish I didn’t have such a long list of dangerous things to pick from, but I’ve lived a life. I would have to say at the top of the list would be flying to a foreign country, where I didn’t speak the language, in the middle of a pandemic, with an envelope of cash, to have surgery without telling any of my family or friends. It was dangerous, but I don’t regret it. Intrigued? Come hear how it played out in my Edinburgh show.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I’ve done more stupid things in my life than I care to admit, but they have given me a lot of good stories. My friend Jackie and I used to go hitchhiking for rides (pre-Uber) if we couldn’t get a taxi and have gotten into many cars with strangers. We thought we were so lucky as young girls always getting offered rides by kind men, but now I see just how fortunate we were that we didn’t end up being the subjects of a Netflix true-crime documentary.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
I’m always surprised at how many people open up to me about their dreams. I think because they see me pursuing my dream of comedy, they feel like they can share one of their dreams that they’re too afraid to try or admit out loud to people. Honestly, it saddens me most of the time to know how many people wish their lives were different so I always tell them to go for it, but what do I know?
Interview continues here.
