Susan Calman – Q and A

Q: How would you sum up your new show, ‘Lady Like’ in three words?

Jokes and stuff

Q: What was the inspiration behind your new set?

I write my shows based on personal experiences, so the inspiration is the last two years of my life. I like to talk about real things that hopefully people might relate to.

Q: The topics you cover in your new show are very serious. How do you make light of such issues from your own life?

I like to find joy in the small things in life. A custard slice, a terrible film, a new cardigan. The little things are often the best. And I’m very fortunate to have many friends who aren’t comedians, who make me laugh a lot.

Q: Is this your first time performing at the Warwick Arts Centre? How do you expect it might differ from the other venues that you have performed in?

All I know is that Richard Herring is on the same night and we’re going to meet in the bar after the show to fight it out like the Sharks and the Jets. We will final settle the “who’s better on Radio 4” question in a civilised manner. Queensberry Rules apply.

Q: Tell us a bit about your upcoming radio show on BBC Radio 2, Listomania.

In very basic terms it’s a show about lists!! We made the pilot of the show earlier this year and I’m delighted that we have six episodes in the first series. It’s a bit of a dream come true to host my own show so I’m really looking forward to starting the recordings in December. We have some amazing guests lined up and it’ll be brilliant fun.

Q: When touring around the country and appearing on numerous panel shows including QI and Would I Lie To You, you will have encountered many other big names in comedy. Who have been the best and funniest people to work with?

The best people to work with are, without a doubt, comics who are generous. People who realise that the funniest shows are the ones where everyone has a chance to be funny. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the nicest folks in the business like Sandi Toksvig, Jeremy Hardy, Sarah Millican and Jo Brand. All are funny and great people as well.

Q: And who would you say is your personal favourite stand-up?

I think being from Glasgow it’s impossible to ignore the great Billy Connolly. I used to listen to his albums and be in pain by the end of it because I was laughing so much. He was the first person I saw on mainstream television that had an accent like mine and who just stood on stage and told the funniest stories I’d ever heard. He remains a huge inspiration and someone I’ve always admired.

Q: Some would say that your route to the comedy circuit was far from conventional, coming from working with death row inmates in the US. Do you think that this gives your style of comedy a unique edge?

I think having lots of life experience helps as a comedian. I don’t think if I’d gone straight into comedy at the age of 17 I would have the same breadth of experience to talk about politics and social issues. I don’t know if interviewing someone on death row is the most traditional basis of comedy but it certainly provided me with an experience that few people have. Coming from a legal background I certainly know that by the end of the week I need a good laugh, and that’s what I try to do on tour.