Katie McLeod

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 19th May 2023

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. This week we welcome Katie McLeod, who's bringing a charismatic character to what must be one of London's highest festivals, in July. Kaleidoscope is a heady mix of music, comedy and other stuff at Alexandra Palace, up in the hills of North London. Has McLeod been up there before?

"I work here! During lockdown I came to Ally Pally for my one walk a day. Me and my sister would get up at 6.30 to avoid all the people and walk around the whole park. And I thought 'wouldn't it be cool to work here...'"

We're not sure if she means sitting in the cafe writing, or helping to run the place, but she'll definitely be working there on Saturday 15th, with some high-profile colleagues. Also appearing are Nina Conti, Joe Lycett and Shaun Keaveny (in conversation), Maisie Adam, Michael Akadiri and Tej Dhutia, while the music side features Hot Chip, Gaz Coombes and - brace yourselves - Elvara, which is Nirvana fronted by Elvis. Obviously.

So what else is McLeod up to?

"I've always got lots of creative projects I'm working on," she says, "a sitcom, a stage play and developing my one-hour stand-up show, where my character, Karismaa, solves all your problems with tarot, and gives you some extra ones."

She's a card. Now let's descend from the scenic heights to the depths of South London.

First gig?

At Strange Brew comedy in Deptford. It was a really lovely atmosphere and all the acts were supportive as they knew it was my first gig. I do remember being so nervous I left the mic in the mic stand, as I just thought it would be too much to deal with!

Favourite show, ever?

I loved Edinburgh last year, the pressure of performing every day was exciting.

Worst gig?

Hard to choose! I did a spot in Edinburgh last year in a typically small, but packed room. A woman in the front row, which was about a metre away from me, had a large dog that took an instant dislike to me, barking throughout my set. At the end of the gig, when people typically tell you how funny you are, or at least say nothing, with her dog pulling at the leash, she leaned in and said in a broad Glaswegian accent 'my dog hates you'. So, that was pretty bad, and I love dogs.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

My family. After leaving an abusive relationship, my brother and one of my sisters gave me somewhere to live and believed in me. It changed my life.

And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

Haha wow, I mean, I think like a lot of things it's not the person but the system. Comedy is male dominated, so there is toxicity built into it. I think that we can often view comedy through what men have defined as funny. I always try and bring joy on stage with me and don't pressure myself to become something that doesn't feel authentic.

Ironically, I think this is the reason I love my character Karismaa, she is unapologetically herself, full of joy and not afraid of anyone. She was born out of a need to protect myself and feel bulletproof against the patriarchy.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

I had what I thought was a great bit about cats where at the end of the routine I turn into a cat, I even put eyeliner on my hands and I clean myself like a cat, and give myself whiskers. I had this big bushy tail that popped out at the end. You had to be there, or not as the case may be. Anyway, it was a pretty tame response. It didn't help that I realised my flies were undone halfway through.

Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?

I wrote a play called Losing My Mindfulness that I took to Edinburgh. It was about a woman who runs a mindfulness workshop as her life falls apart. I got a review that said 'mindfulness exercises that border on the ridiculous' - they were all real exercises in the show.

Are there mindfulness techniques that can help with live performance?

I love a Wonder Woman power pose, which always helps pre-show.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

Since my character Karismaa was born it's been a real blast. She brings a lot of joy and silliness to the stage which I want more of in my life.