Interview: Sara Pascoe

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2015, a host of fine comics including Shazia Mirza, Kate Smurthwaite and Sara Pascoe will perform on Sunday, March 8 at Trinity, Bristol.

Proceeds from the night will go to SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape & Sexual Abuse Support), Devon Rape Crisis Service, Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall).

Here is Sara Pascoe on society, the ethics of comedy… and just why Bristol is such a darn fine place. 

You’ve gigged a few times in Bristol over the past year – What the Frock, Colston Hall, the Greenbank pub. What are your thoughts on Bristol and its comedy audiences?
Bristol has a special place in my heart because my boyfriend is from there, but also because it’s such a brilliantly cultural place and that is reflected by the audiences. There is such a passion for learning and discussion here. I love bright, clever audiences because they get all my jokes, but in Bristol the crowds are also really up for having a good time, so they can get lively, and it keeps me on my toes. It’s a great balance. 

Why were you so keen to do the gig, and to spend International Women’s Day in this way?
The women who work for Rape Crisis, like many others who are toiling away trying to keep services open despite huge government cuts to funding, are inspirational and deserve as much support as people can give them.
Sexual assault affects a scarily large percentage of people, and it’s terrifying how many people do not have access to counselling and support afterwards. This has to be improved. IWD is a good way of flagging up the variety of issues that affect females worldwide. I know some people are irritated by the idea of it, but using it to raise funds and awareness is vital. 

What do you hope the night achieves?
I hope that the audience will tell their friends about the great work that they have helped to support. And that some people will stay abreast of what the charity is doing, might help campaign for them in the future, or demand better funding for services from their local MP. If we want to live a society that protects the vulnerable, we need to create that society. Comedy is a fun night out obviously, but in this case it can also show people a new side to their community. 

What sort of material can we expect from you? Are some topics (such as sexual violence) off-limits for comedians?
Nothing is off-limits in comedy. Some comics make great jokes about horrible things. Some talk about serious issues sensitively but hilariously. Comedy is sometimes nasty and cheap, but in general people do try to be aware that there might be service users at events like this.
Sometimes people do choose inappropriate material – I once did a gig at a homeless shelter where an act opened by asking, “So, who’s been affected by the credit crunch?” Awkward. On the other hand, sometimes a charity event might make an act realise why some people are upset by what they are talking about.
Personally, I try very hard not to upset people. But we all do, by accident, sometimes.

Sara Pascoe performs at Radical Funnyism, Sunday, March 8, Trinity, Bristol. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.radicalfunnyism.ticketsource.co.uk