Felicity Ward

Health-conscious Aussie comic Felicity Ward had one of best-reviewed shows at last year's Edinburgh Fringe - What If There Is No Toilet? - and returns this year with the ominous 50% More Likely to Die.

Before that, next Friday, she's playing Late Night Laughs at the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room, and "doing an abridged version of my upcoming Edinburgh show, I'd say." So what else is she up to, right now? "Sitting in my underpants," she says, "trying to regulate my body temperature as it fights off a fever and a cold." Oh dear - we'll skip the 'Hospital, Ward?' line and head back to happier times...

First gig?

Ali McGregor's Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night. Other performers were Selina Jenkins (we were both doing our first ever stand up gigs, Selina as herself), Adam Hills was headlining, and Asher Treleaven was in the show too. It was a really big show for me. And a 12 minute set. Woof.

Favourite show, ever?

I have soft spots for all of my shows. I'm pretty fond of the show I did last year, and one a couple of years back The Hedgehog Dilemma. They're the ones that had the most blood, sweat and tears poured into them. Not because I'm lazy with my other shows, but they were hella personal, so there was a little more riding on them.

Worst gig?

I'm sure there have been plenty of horrendous ones since, but I remember very early on doing support for [character act] Heath Franklin's Chopper and a man standing up and saying, "No. We want Chopper. Go backstage and get Chopper." And then we went at each other for a couple of minutes before I said "I'm gonna keep standing here until you stop being a c*nt." And then I finished my set and walked gracefully into the toilets and cried.

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

I didn't realise this was OK Magazine.

The weirdest gig?

I had a woman walk out in anger over me talking about a pineapple. I'm pretty sure she had some other stuff going on.

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

This is applicable to a lot of my new material. I'm writing thinking, 'oh man, they are gonna looooove this.' And I'm all excited and then I get on stage and I'm met with a sea of curious, disappointed faces. Then other times I'll tell a joke and have no idea why they're laughing like they are.

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

Travel with slippers. And a tip from Cal Wilson: pack a peg, then if the curtains don't close properly in a hotel room you can clamp them together.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

Someone sent me a message saying that they had dislocated their jaw laughing during my show. Thank you/I'm sorry?

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

Getting there.

Felicity Ward plays Late Night Laughs at the Royal Albert Hall Elgar Rooms on Friday 1st July, for tickets go to royalalberthall.com

'Felicity Ward: 50% More Likely to Die' is at the Edinburgh Fringe from 3rd to 29th August, 9pm at the Pleasance Courtyard. EdFringe.com