Chloe Radcliffe

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 18th August 2023

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. And currently, for Chloe Radcliffe, it's Edinburgh Fringe time. But who is Chloe Radcliffe, really?

"I'm a NYC stand-up who bikes everywhere (I'm biking to my venue every day from Musselburgh because I'm a cheapass!)"

Financially sensible and planet-friendly is the more positive take on that. But her life does get naughtier elsewhere.

"My show is called Cheat, and it's about my history of cheating in almost every relationship (no subtlety with this one)," she says. "I'm not proud of having cheated, but I AM proud of talking about a behaviour that a tonne of people do - women included! - and no one admits. And it's not just about cheating, it's about self esteem and desire and loneliness. Bring your partner! They'll love it."

Sounds more like first date, worst date. But now let's get on with the classic starter.

First gig?

It was a Monday in May of 2015. I had signed up for the Acme Comedy Club open mic, where first-timers were guaranteed three minutes in front of 250 people. I was doing it mainly to clarify to myself that stand-up wasn't for me, and I should be doing improv or sketch. But I had spent ten years of my life competing in national-level speech and debate, and within the first 30 seconds of performing at the open mic, I realised this is basically grown-up speech contests. And I was hooked immediately.

Favourite show, ever?

Probably my Comedy Central taping (which is a very convenient gig to go well). I was so worried that I would be in my head and not be present during the taping, even up until like 30 seconds before I walked onstage - a surefire way to guarantee I wouldn't be present.

And then I thought the host said my name before he did, so I came halfway out onstage, realised I hadn't yet been introduced, and slunk back into the wings, but half the crowd saw. And then when I was actually introduced ten seconds later, I came out laughing and riffed on how crazy that entrance was, which made me super present in the room for the rest of the set.

Worst gig?

I once performed in the middle of a boxing ring, after a charity boxing tournament, in the Russian neighbourhood in deep Long Island. I was telling jokes for no one, as competitors literally bled out of their faces and got yelled at in Russian by their coaches. But what made it a bad show was: no snacks in the green room.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

I could talk about which comedians influenced my writing style, but honestly, my friend Turner Barrowman is actually the person who's made the biggest impact on my comedy life, all told.

We started in stand-up together in Minneapolis, and his analysis of the industry and social situations is so sharp that I literally ask myself "What would Turner do" anytime I'm unsure. You know those WWJD bracelets that American evangelicals wear? I'm gonna make a WWTD bracelet.

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

Woody Allen. He was a picky eater.

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

I have a big breakaway section in Cheat where I talk about how knees are the second most erotic part of a human body (they're delicious when you want them touched and very creepy when you don't!), and it worked in NYC and somehow doesn't work in the UK! What, you people think knees are weird and knobby and unsexy?! You prudish freaks?? I carry the flag for knee people.

The most interesting moment of your Fringe so far?

I kept running into the same comic for the first few days, and at first I kind of didn't think anything of it, but now he's my fringe fling! Either it was serendipity, orrrrrr I would have shagged anyone I saw three nights in a row. (Names shall not be named) (It's Woody Allen)

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

BEFORE my show, a man told me he was reviewing my show and asked for a selfie. Then right after the show, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and said "Five stars." And look, I'll let a crazy person kiss me on the cheek for a five star review, but THAT REVIEW HASN'T COME OUT, NOW HAS IT? Infuriating.

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

I've branched towards the screen for the last couple years, all opportunities which I've been incredibly lucky to have. I sold a movie script, I got staffed in a Steven Soderbergh writers room and then cast as one of the leads - but I do miss being super dedicated to pure stand-up. This Fringe has been a wonderful return to a full focus on live performance. I'm really looking forward to diving back into straight stand-up when I get back to the US.