Katherine Ryan’s second UK stand-up tour begins with a limited run at the Edinburgh Fringe. The fresh, often dangerously fierce, pop-culture-obsessed Canadian gives Martin Walker the lowdown on her new show, ‘Glam Role Model’. But they begin by talking about breasts.
I'm a British comic really. A British comic with a monkey accent.
“We have girls in Canada who get their tits out, but we haven't got a name for them. And to be honest, it's kinda frowned upon. In the UK, Glamour Models are mainstream - appearing on TV reality programmes and panel shows. It's weird. ‘Glam Role Model’ explores the growing trend of celebrity as a religion and strips the pseudo-'glamour' away from being treated as a currency.”
Is it true that you used to work in ‘Hooters’?
“Yep.”
How do UK audiences differ from those in your Native Canada?
“I don't remember because I had only started in comedy when I moved to London six years ago. I'm a British comic really. A British comic with a monkey accent.”
Do you prefer working in TV or performing live?
“My favourite thing to do is to work with people whom I admire. Often, that happens on TV because there's a guarantee of some big names and truly seasoned comedians. Increasingly though, I'll be absolutely blown away by a new act on the bill in the basement of some pub, and I'm continually inspired by my very talented peers. You just never know and that's what makes comedy so much fun.”
If you were curating a stand-up show for TV – who would be your guests?
“Excellent question. Joe Lycett, Aisling Bea, Sara Pascoe, Jeff Leach, Josh Widdicombe, Pappy's – which is sketch comedy, Lou Sanders, Romesh Ranganathan, Bobby Mair, Stuart Mitchell, Roisin Conaty, James Acaster, Harriet Kemsley, Tania Edwards and Dane Baptiste.
“And I suppose we'd only get to about a minute each cause that's way too many. And I'd ask Frankie Boyle to headline; otherwise we wouldn't get the commission.”
Website: www.katherineryan.co.uk
Twitter: @kathbum
Edinburgh Fringe Box Office: https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/katherine-ryan-glam-role-model
