‘The show explores who I would be if I were able-bodied’

Rosie Jones, who visits Tobacco Factory Theatres’ Spielman Theatre on Friday, November 23, is a comedian with a penchant for being mischievous, whose cerebral palsy doesn’t slow her down in the slightest.

A finalist at the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018 and winner of the Amused Moose Comedy’s National New Comic Award 2017, Rosie has also been seen on our screens in 8 Out of 10 Cats and Silent Witness.

So, how was the Edinburgh Fringe this summer for you? How did the show go down, how was the whole Edinburgh experience?
Oh the Fringe was AMAZING, such fun! It was my debut hour, so I definitely felt the pressure, but I worked damn hard on my show and luckily, the hard work paid off. During the month I didn’t read any reviews; I wanted to be cocooned in my own, happy little world: but I read some of them afterwards, and the show seemed to go down well, phew! But, naturally, the month was truly exhausting… I’m only just getting over it now!

It was your second Edinburgh, wasn’t it? How if at all did you do things differently this time?
Yes, although it was my first hour-long show, it was actually my second time in Edinburgh – In 2017 I took a 40-minute show to the Free Fringe. I definitely made all of my mistakes then, and this year was much, much better. I napped a lot more, and drank a lot less! My main focus was on my performance, and I think it really showed – impressively, I didn’t lose my voice at all!

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Tell us why the show is called Fifteen Minutes.
Because when I was born, I didn’t breathe for 15 minutes, which is a really long time! But it’s actually a short time for your whole life to change (I got cerebral palsy as a result of being starved of oxygen). The show explores who I would be if I were able-bodied: I’m pretty sure that she’d be a prick!

What would you like audiences to take home from Fifteen Minutes?
A smile on their face! And hopefully a new found realisation that life isn’t that bad after all.

How much does your cerebral palsy feature in your set?
Quite a lot! Because it is my first hour, I felt the need to address the, ‘disabled elephant in the room’ – that’s what my mum calls me! My disability is a big part of me, and a lot of people don’t know what it’s like to have cerebral palsy. But don’t worry; it isn’t all I bang on about!

How do you find the UK comedy landscape, as a comedian with a disability? Are venues as accessible as they should be, and do audiences take you on your own terms?
I’m lucky because I don’t use a wheelchair, so I can get into comedy venues quite easily. But unfortunately, a lot of places still aren’t disabled-friendly, which is unbelievable – we’re in 2018 for crying out loud! One of the problems I regularly face is getting on the stage – most don’t have railings. It’s normally fine, and I just ask the MC to give me a hand getting on and off the stage, but it is annoying.
My whole shtick is, ‘oh hey, I’m disabled, but I’m totally independent and capable of doing everything you do!’ –which can be undermined if, before I’ve opened my mouth, the audience have seen me needing help.

Rosie Jones plays the Spielman Theatre at the Tobacco Factory Theatres on November 23. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/rosie-jones-fifteen-minutes

Read more: Interview: Geoff Norcott