She is a multi-award winning comedian and one who has enjoyed sell-out runs at London's Soho Theatre and at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Her talents span CBBC to Channel 4's Fresh Meat smile-inducer. There's a DVD in stores too, Lady Like, it's called.
She is Susan Calman, and the brilliantly engaging funny girl is out in the early stages of a pretty intensive touring schedule, which will see her in the Keynes on Sunday (February 19), with a date at The Stables.
Comedy is where she has placed herself for the past decade or so, but did you know that our lass has also worked on Death Row and at United Nations in Geneva as a corporate lawyer?!
Talk about a career change...
Before she raises the giggles here in the new city, Susan answered our questions...
When did you first think 'Comedy - that's the job for me’
I’ve always wanted to be a stand up but when I left school (in 1992) it wasn’t really an option. I held onto that dream until 10 years ago when I did my first open spot at a Comedy Club in Glasgow. In all honesty the first moment I set foot on stage I knew it was for me. Six months later I resigned from my job and the rest is history!
Which comedian first piqued your interest, and why?
I loved Victoria Wood. I knew all of her TV shows off by heart and I was devastated when she passed away. I still think she was the most original and wonderful comic the country has produced. In addition I love French and Saunders, Billy Connolly and Linda Smith.
If you weren't working raising the smiles, what would you be working as?
If I hadn’t given up my job I’d still be a lawyer! I was a corporate lawyer for 7 years before I resigned and I suspect I would have just kept on going.
What's the best heckle you've ever had?
I don’t tend to get a lot of heckles but someone shouted at me “I like your shoes!”. Which was nice because my shoes were excellent and I was pleased that they had noticed.
Tell us about your worst gig so far
I supported Russell Brand once. That was a bad booking. He’s a nice man but his audience and mine are quite different. It was a tough twenty minutes. In the same vein I opened for a Robbie Williams tribute act at a town hall on a rainy winter evening. The audience didn’t even take their coats off.
...and the one which still send shivers for all the right reasons?
My first year at the Fringe. I’d always dreamed of performing in Edinburgh and when I got there it was awful. No audiences, expensive and downright depressing. But it didn’t really matter because I will at the Fringe.
Comedy has changed hugely over the past 50 years, so where do you think it will be in another 50 years?
I can’t really predict that I’m afraid. Online content has changed the way people consume humour but it doesn’t stop people coming to live comedy. A lot also depends on what happens politically in the country. It’s safe to say it’s interesting times!
Are there any subjects which are off limits?
Nope. Comedians can tell jokes about anything they want. Whether the audience enjoy it is another matter.
We've got to finish with a joke, so over to you - but keep it family friendly...anyone could read this!
I wish I had a killer joke to impress you but I don’t. My favourite joke is a Tommy Cooper one which is entirely visual. Come along to my show and I’ll tell it for you.
Tickets for The Stables show are sold out, but try for returns here
