Anna Mann
Published: Thursday 28th September 2017
The world has clearly gotten into a right old state in recent months, what with people voting for nutters and the now daily threat of imminent thermonuclear war, etc etc. But what can we do? Well, we could just do nothing and let a multi-talented entertainer sort it out, at London's Soho Theatre this week.
"I, Anna Mann; actress, singer, welder (gotta have a backup) am performing a show called How We Stop the Fascists," says the actress, singer and welder Anna Mann, who we've contacted with the invaluable aid of her, er, personal assistant, Colin Hoult. "It's a horrifically relevant piece about this rampant rise of fascist thinking we've seen lately and also a poorly veiled attack on my Yoga Teacher who barred me from class for snoring."
"It's full of funnies as we rip into the various pricks who have hated themselves into power recently."
Phew! That's all fine then: on with the blissful reminiscing about less turbulent days, however bizarre the shows were.
First gig?
My first comedy gig was downstairs at the Upstairs and Across the Corridor. Somewhere near Barnet; too close to be honest. It was back in 2000 and something. The audience was made up entirely of my previous lovers who at least pretended to laugh but threw me with their constant murderous looks to one another.
Favourite show, ever?
Probably when I performed in a hot air balloon to a crowd on the field below. Don't ask. At one point I almost crashed the balloon which would have been an absolute disaster. But somehow I managed to stabilise the thing and get to the end of my set. I'm not a religious person but I definitely think I heard God clap.
Worst gig?
I performed at a festival on what I thought was acid but which turned out to just be Pro Plus. It's astonishing what tricks the mind can play when it thinks it's high.
The weirdest gig experience?
I was once booked to entertain a very rich and very lovely man's very ill St Bernard. Sadly the dog passed away in the second half. I mean, I'm good, but I'm not a miracle worker (technically).
Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?
One arse brought me on by saying 'this next one's quite fit but she ruins it when she speaks.' Prick.
Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?
Probably the mole in the cupboard. You see, I'd got this new cupboard and there was a mole and... oh to hell with it, you just had to be there.
What's your best insider travel tip, for gigging comics?
All train tickets are technically free if you punch in the right combination in the machine. It's Shakespeare's birthday.
The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?
'You're not funny because I'm not gay.' Still pondering on that one.
How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?
Dreadful, but we get by.
Anna Mann's Late Night Cheese & Sex Party is at Soho Theatre on Friday 17th November. Info & Tickets
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