Double Emmy Award winner and ‘Smack The Pony’ star Fiona Allen tours her debut solo stand-up show

Actor and comedian Fiona Allen first hit the mainstream in British hit TV sketch show, Smack The Pony (Channel 4), along with her co-stars Doon Mackichan and Sally Phillips.

The triple Bafta-nominated show aired from 1999-2003, and won an Emmy Award for its first two series.

In the intervening decades, Allen has had a successful and varied career and has become a familiar face on the small screen.

Taking a surprise career left turn in 2023, she created her debut stand-up show On The Run, first appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, and now touring the UK – with an upcoming date at The Alma Tavern & Theatre on November 16.

For a celebrated sketch comic 20 years ago, and then an actor for many years since, how does it feel to be adding a new string to your bow as a touring comic in your 50s?

“I’ve been acting for many years now, in dramas, comedy and soaps. I’m also a voice over artist. Until now, I’d never considered writing a show. But the thought kept coming back into my head.

“I love doing stand-up comedy. It’s a lot of fun. I was curious about it and went along to a few comedy clubs to see what was going on. I thought it was probably just for youngsters, but how wrong I was. There are people in their 20s up to comics in their 70s. One night I watched an 86 year old New Yorker in a club in London. She was so funny. That made me think… ‘funny is funny, so just do your thing’. So I did.

“Now, it’s just another part of my list of jobs that I do. And a fun one too. But I’m not sure my family could quite believe it at first. There’s something quite nice about going out in the evening and leaving the dinner and clearing up the kitchen to someone else (for once!)”

What is your own relationship like with stand-up? Who were/are your inspirations?

“As far as inspirations go, I admire anyone who works hard and loves their work.

“I was at a club once and a stand-up said to me: ‘You’ve got your awards and are successful; why don’t you move over and let us come through?’ I told him to remember what he had just asked me when he was my age. I’m not letting a 25 year old tell me what I can and can’t do. I’m a mum and I work. That’s how it’s going to be. And I’ll do that for as long as I want to.”

Can you describe the origins of On The Run, and how you decided what in your life to mine for comedy?

“The origins of On The Run came from looking at what I was doing. For me, like most parents, it has been just work, kids, work, kids for years. But I’ve always got itchy feet. I wanted to do something else.

“I tried hobbies, and mostly that was a failure – so I thought I’d write a show instead. I talk about what I know. I talk about what my life is, and the need to run off for a bit. I think all parents or workaholics deserve that!”

What are you most enjoying about performing to different audiences around the country?

“I love performing to different audiences around the country. It’s great going to towns and cities and meeting loads of new people. I’m also surprised at how much I love driving. People say stand-up must be a lonely job. Not at all. On the way there I’m happy being in my car. It’s a ‘clear your head’ space from the hustle and bustle of home life for an hour or two.

“When I get to my venue and see other comics it’s a good laugh. Then on the way home I listen to Pete Tong playing dance music and have my own little club night. It’s a blast from start to finish.”

Fiona Allen: On The Run is at The Alma Tavern & Theatre on November 16 at 8pm. Tickets are available from www.chucklebusters.com.

All photos: Natasha Pszenicki

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