Lily Phillips talks about the allure of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, her creative background and bringing, and philosophises of the use of philosophy.
Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello reader, I’m Lily a comedian from London, so nice to meet youuuuuu. My cat Bruce also says hi, who is currently sitting on the keyboard of my laptop. Very helpful.
How would you describe your show?
An hour of vagin* jokes, with one poo joke thrown in for the LADS.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Because it the best comedy festival in the world!! It’s a great place to showcase your work, meet new people and have your mind blown by weird and wonderful shows. I saw the best play I’ve ever seen in a tiny venue in Edinburgh, but I also once saw a guy staple money to his butt at the back of a pub, so it’s a mixed bag. The only downside is the god awful weather, if they could just sort that out it would PERFECT.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
I think due to its size, there are usually around 4000 shows on over the month, so it’s just bursting with creativity and noise and people from all over the world. We are so lucky to have it.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
Amy Schumer was the first comedian I saw that talked about what I would want to talk about in a way I could see myself doing. LOVE HER.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
My state secondary school really pushed the performing arts so I was always interested in performing in some way. When I left I went to dance college and then found my way into comedy. It took a while to find stand up but I think all that helped with my stage presence. My dad was a cameraman and my mum was a teacher. I think an artistic career always appealed to me as my dad’s job always seemed so exciting and fun. But man I didn’t realise how hard it would be! I was born when he was doing well, I missed the struggle years. Maybe I should have followed my mum instead!
What is your earliest childhood memory?
Falling headfirst into a cow pat when I was 3. I wish I didn’t remember that TBH.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I originally was going to study philosophy at Uni, until I had the last minute brain wave to go to dance college instead. So I think if I had stuck to the plan I would be a teacher now or maybe just unemployed. What an earth do you do with a Philosophy degree anyway? Actually, I think I still would have found my way to stand up, just via a different route and wouldn’t be able to do the splits.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
I think it’s made me more appreciative of the craft, and of live comedy as a whole, I feel very protective of it now as we almost lost it, and then where would we be? Doing dance lectures about Descartes I guess?
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
I should have mastered TikTok.
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
No comment!
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I would like all the [Monty] Pythons resurrected (some of them are still alive but you get what I mean!) and I would like to make a new film with them called Life of Briony.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Totally immerse yourself in the madness of it all when you there and then sleep for a week.
When and where can people see your show?
19:25 at The Pleasance Courtyard Bunker 1, 3rd-28th (not 16th)
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
I mainly do Instagram and you can find me @lilyphillipscomedy
Lily Phillips debut stand up show ‘Smut’ will be at the Plesance Courtyard Bunker One at 7.25pm for the month of August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
Header Image Credit:Karla Gowlett
