Interview: Rarely Asked Questions – Maddy Anholt: Page 2 of 2

6. What do your children think of your job?

 

My future children will be in such awe of me. They’ll say ‘Mummy, can I get you anything, rub your feet, make you a Mojito... we are in AWE of you.’

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

 

Admin. The amount of admin is insane. Which is kinda why I love Edinburgh in a sickening way – although yes, you have to do get through a helluvva lot of admin to get there, at least you’re booked into one space for a month and you can just get on with it. 

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

 

That is so nice, thank you. I think, generally speaking, I do my best to upkeep the Katherine Ryan approach to comedy – be goddamn nice to people. So catch me 98% of the time, I’m a nice person. Walk slowly in front of me on your phone and there’s that 2%.

9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

 

I earn not enough to live in London but enough that I’m still here by some miracle. I would like to earn enough to be comfortable and have children in the future that make me mojitos. 

 

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

 

Luck is everything, but that has to be teamed with hard work, discipline and self-motivation. There are a lot of factors that create career success. I’m similar to a lot of comedians and comedy actors in that I can never look back and see what I’ve achieved – I always feel I should be working harder, making more luck. Lucky breaks...hmm, I guess getting investment for my own production company was a lucky break, but then it doesn’t feel like it because I worked so hard to get it. I suppose it’ll always be like that. 

 

11. Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories -golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?

 

I like that, there’s a lot of truth there. I guess from my last answer it’s clear I fall into the tortured artists category – although I wouldn’t call it that because it’s such a goddamn privilege to be able to do what we are doing. But yes, I’m always pretty hard on myself and that’s certainly gotten worse over the years. 

 

12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?

 

I guess that would have to be Frida Kahlo. If she can create ground-breaking, awe-inspiring perfection after a horrific bus handrail incident which impaled her through her pelvis then I can write and perform a successful show with premenstrual cramps. 

 

13. Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).

 

I’m sorry, I know this is going to get you in trouble and I don’t want to be the breakup of your relationship, Bruce, but I’m a bit of a clean freak... Yes, you can’t see into drawers when they are shut but if they are tidy then they are nice to look at when they are open and so much easier to get stuff out. I’m sorry. I can help with your online dating profile if you like. 

I’ve just realised that’s very sexist... maybe it’s your girlfriend who doesn’t keep drawers tidy. In that case – tell her to get in touch, I’m an excellent wingwoman. (editor's note - I'm the tidy one, you are being very sexist) 

Maddy Anholt – Herselves is at the Underbelly Med Quad from Aug 2 -27. Tickets here.

 

 

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