A decade on from her Fringe debut, it is clear to see how one of Scotland’s leading comediennes Susan Calman continues to command a bumper crowd. Which is something, she notes early on, many of her fellow performers were concerned about across the board.
Yes indeed, some of her fellow performers were worried about the Fringe clashing with the Rio Olympics. Her response is delightfully Calmanesque, “Oh, I’d love to go see Susan, but no…the Taekwondo is on!”
Calman’s ability to offer an hour of unbound energy may leave people wondering just what would have become of the Glaswegian if she’d achieved one of her trio of dreams – that of a Hollywood starlet, a long distance lorry driver or a hitman.
Her insightfulness is cutting and clever as she delivers her thoughts on the issues of today such as politics and homophobia (you can’t throw a KD Lang CD into the middle of Holyrood without hitting someone), plus challenging other areas like equality, feminism and depression.
After her candid confession to not liking whisky, haggis or Irn-Bru, the 4ft 10 funny woman encourages her crowd to participate in the “Do I sound more Scottish than…” game – born out of her time commuting to London from her Glasgow home.
Calman confesses to not being as ‘left-wing’ politically as many of her comic peers. Indeed, she has no intentions to overthrow capitalism because she has “just started a pension”. High brow or what for this ‘Radio 4 favourite’, eh!
Oh, and if you are a member of Muirfield Golf Club, please do go along and enjoy the show.
Susan Calman is at The Pleasance Above until 28th August.
A Client Manager with an independent invoice financier firm during the day. Outside the office I volunteer as Media Manager across the Spartans FC family. Political hopeful. Broken / Retired Prop who played rugby for Scotland in his prime...
