Grace Mulvey

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 12th July 2024

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. Gracing our page this week is Grace Mulvey, the Irish stand-up who's also earned big accolades for her scriptwriting, winning the BBC's first Galton and Simpson Bursary, in 2020. Now she's embarking on a further first, with her Edinburgh Fringe debut.

"Tall Baby is about how I moved to London on my own at the age of 33, expecting a good time," Mulvey begins. "It was post-pandemic and I have been through a lot of heavy things in my life at a young age; death, eating disorders and having a moustache from the age of 10. So, I wanted to change things up by becoming a human adult who has fun.

"I really thought life owed me a good time. What actually happened was I went on dates where we talked about IBS, I had to read my very own missing person's report and I found out I am the inheritor of the most humiliating generational trauma... foot trauma."

It's not a condition you see sad ads on telly about, that's true. So, what condition is the show in right now? Is there a theme, an ending, and all that?

"The theme of the show centres on the question of what we are owed in life; are we owed anything?" Mulvey reveals. "I do have an ending now, but I still have a few more previews before Edinburgh so everything can change!"

And with all that to do, does she still have time for writing other stuff?

"I'm always working on scripts and pitches," she says. "I've just finished a pitch and am tying up another script before the Fringe, because from here on out I can only really concentrate on Tall Baby."

It's a big one. Now, onto her big moments.

First gig?

Like most Irish comedians I had my first gig at the Ha'Penny Bridge Inn [in Dublin]. It was a competition night; I had a five minute set and I won - the prize was a rubber duck.

It's one of those comedy nights where there are about 17 acts on the line-up, everyone goes over their time and the audience start leaving before the end to get the last bus home. I'm sure I won on a sympathy vote as it was my first gig but it did give me the confidence to keep going.

Side Note: I booked my second gig there for two weeks later but cancelled it as I was too scared. I didn't do my second gig for another three months! The booker, Tony, sent me an email to say that he thought I could go far in comedy, but I would actually have to get on stage again to do it. So, I did a second gig and didn't cancel again.

Favourite show, ever?

My first set at Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden. I hadn't moved to London yet as I was still trying to find a place to live. It was just after the lockdown restrictions were lifted and I flew over to do some of my first London gigs.

I had only done a handful of live gigs since lockdown and was so nervous to perform in such an amazing comedy club. As no one had seen me perform in London. I was recommended to the club by Joanne McNally. The gig went so well that I was asked back the next two nights. Honestly just having such an incredible response from a London audience that night made me realise moving was the right decision.

Worst gig?

It was my third gig ever (again it took place in the Ha'Penny Bridge Inn). There was a very drunk woman in the front row who was on her own. She kept talking to every act and even attempted to take the mic off the MC so she could sing on stage. For some reason she wasn't asked to leave.

Being terrified and unsure what to do, I got on stage and just did my set as if she wasn't constantly talking to me. The worst part was that she kept guessing my punchlines - and got some right, which looking back is absolutely hilarious. After the gig she approached me and told me how much she enjoyed my set - INSANE.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

It's not one person but two; my brother and sister. There are numerous comedians, writers and actors who I look up to and whose careers I hope to emulate. But it has been my brother and sister who have supported me, listened to my material and given me notes. They are both so funny and really whose opinion on comedy I trust the most.

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

There is no one most disagreeable person I can think of. My experience of bad behaviour in the industry happens when one negative person is in a room and others around them want to impress that person, so no one calls out their behaviour.

I was at a very important gig once, basically the type of gig that might actually help my career. I had to travel for it and was warned that there might be some unsavoury people involved. It was honestly the worst backstage experience I have ever had. Shitty ugly jokes made backstage, comedians on edge and tension that you could cut with a knife.

What I find so insane about people who create those negative atmospheres at gigs is that it doesn't create a space for comedy to thrive. For audiences to laugh, there must be a good atmosphere in a venue. Audiences and comedians need to feel safe to have a good time. I think an audience can tell when there is something off at a gig and it doesn't benefit anyone.

Anyway, I brought some friends and family with me so that I could just hang out with them after.

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

I think if audiences don't get the routine, it means I haven't set up the bit properly yet. There is a routine I have about the years I spent working in Build-A-Bear workshop during college that for some reason I can't get to work - yet!

It involves the time I fixed up an old bear for a woman whose first grandchild had been born. She wanted to give the baby a teddy bear that had been in the family for years. While working on the bear, I found a large portion of weed in it. There is more to the story, but I just haven't been able to make it work.

Do you have a daily regime planned for Edinburgh, or just seeing how it goes?

My daily regime will look something like this:

Morning: Wake-up. Think about yesterday's show. Regret choosing this profession. Remember the world is burning so I might as well be doing this. Have some Weetabix.

Noon: Check in with my producer Katie about show sales. Have a mild panic attack in a hallway. Go for a walk to get some perspective in nature. Eat an overpriced panini.

Evening: Last minute desperate attempt to flyer. Do show. Be happy I am doing the show I want to do and made at least one person laugh once. Eat another panini.

Night: Do whatever I want as my next show is at least another 23 hours away.

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

The post-gig reactions I have had for this show have probably stuck in my mind the most. I talk a bit about my dad's dementia so have had some really interesting conversations with audience members post-show.

I love making jokes about the situation and dealing with a disease of this nature. Audience members who have had to deal with dementia seem to love those jokes the most and want to talk about it. I'm delighted cause that's how I deal with issues in my life - I need to be able to see the humour in it pretty much straight away.

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

Like every comedian alive, I think I should be further along in my career - ha. But in a way it's true. Whenever I think I should be further along and get bogged down on the negatives of the industry, I focus on getting better as a comedian and writer.

All I can control is the output, I can't control anything after that. I hope Tall Baby does really well at the Fringe and lots of people see it because I think it's a great show. And once the Fringe is over, we will see what happens!