Abi Roberts and her big hair exploded onto the stand-up comedy scene in 2011, after a number of years as a session vocalist and cabaret performer.
In her four years in professional stand-up comedy, Abi has supported household names such as Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Jack Whitehall and Tom Stade and is to be found performing at many of the UK’s leading comedy clubs, such as The Glee Club, Komedia and The Stand.
In 2016, Abi became the first UK comedian to perform in Russia - in Russian!
Now, in 2017, the centenary of the Russian Revolution, she's here to shed some light on our continental neighbours and tell us what side of a blini is buttered.
Abi appears at the Milton Keynes Comedy Festival on July 29.
She saw the funny side with Total MK...
When did you first think ‘Comedy - that’s the job for me’
I was about 14 and auditioned for a part in Cinderella at school. I really wanted to be Cinderella but that part went to the school bully, Tabitha. I got cast as the Fairy Godmother.
In all the rehearsals I did a passable posh old lady voice then on the first night when it was my cue I kicked the door open and my fairy godmother became Billy Connolly. The whole audience roared with laughter and the bully was left totally speechless.
Then about five years ago, after a career as a singer I started to make the talking parts in between songs longer and a friend said ‘you really should be a standup comedian, you don’t need all the songs..’ and here I am. Best decision I ever made.
Which comedian first piqued your interest, and why?
I remember very clearly sneaking a peak of Eddie Murphy’s video belonging to my step-brother. It was his solo show RAW. It’s a roller-coaster ride of consistent big laughs with straight talking, balls-out comedy.
The exciting thing for me is that he uses all his talents in his show. That’s the aim in my comedy. I love expressing my standup in my own way. You have to be who you are, not try and fit in.
If you weren’t working raising the smiles, what would you be working as?
I honestly don’t think I could do anything else. Oh wait.. maybe Prime Minister. Gotta be better than the one we have now.
What’s the best heckle you've ever had?
It was a bank holiday weekend about 3 years ago and I was doing one of my routines about why I don’t like Jazz (for jazz fans who might take offence, it’s a JOKE).
It involves me doing all the instruments myself and doing a communal scat. It lasts about 6 or 7 minutes which is ironic given that’s how long most jazz solos go on.
At the end a very drunk Swedish lady shouted out ‘how dare you, I love Jazz’. Then proceeded to throw up all over the people in front of her. And a dog who was nearby.
I’ve had a few since then.. but the more gigs you do, the more confident you get with any difficult heckles, which are rare.
Tell us about your worst gig so far
See the one above. That comes quite close.
…and the one which still sends shivers for all the right reasons?
There are quite a few high points… I would say my first show in Moscow last year when I became the first comic to do standup in English and Russian. It was a magical night and the audience of a hundred and fifty people shouted 'ura!' at the end!
Are there any subjects which are off limits?
Having done comedy in a country which has a pretty damning record on freedom of speech I think it’s imperative that standup comics are free to express sometimes unpalatable truths. Now more than ever we need a valve to release tensions building. No cows should be sacred… it can be the most exciting comedy IF its done well.
What can people expect from your appearance at the comedy festival in Milton Keynes?
My show, Anglichanka (English woman in Russian) is a show about living in Russia in the 90s, training to be an opera singer at the Moscow Conservatoire and then going back last year to become the first UK comic to do comedy in English and Russian. Expect Russian Hip Hop, jokes about Lenin and a blast of Puccini. There is also the campest finale ever involving roses and a stool.
We’ve got to finish with a joke, so over to you - but keep it family friendly…anyone could read this!
Paul Nuttall
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