Claudia Trentino
Published: Tuesday 7th January 2025
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week we welcome the award-winning Claudia Trentino, that award being the West End New (Old) Act of the Year, which actively celebrates up-and-coming over-35s.
Trentino took the top prize, back in November. Steve Holmes and Matt Withers were runners-up, and David Ingram won the Audience Vote award. Congratulations are in order then - a good competition to be part of?
"It was a great comp to be involved in," says Trentino. "Steve McLean who runs it is a great supporter of new (and new old) comics and is doing so much to give us a platform and a chance to be noticed.
"So thanks to Steve McLean... and can you send the tenner you promised me?"
On that note - what of the new year?
"2025, I plan to venture out of Kent and get my mug around gigs further afield. I'm also going to Edinburgh for the first time, apparently there's a festival?"
Apparently so. Claudia Trentino, your Random 8 await.
Who was your childhood hero, real or fictional?
Catherine Zeta-Jones when she played Mariette in The Darling Buds Of May - I used to put a scarf on my head and frolic around pretending to be her, all sweet and ladylike. Then I saw Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 doing muscle-ups in the psych ward, and shooting people with a fag in her mouth and thought "that's the role model I need."
Which book should we all read, to make life a bit better?
Bring the Yellow Pages back - not to read , just to stand on. So many short blokes have missed out on their first kiss since its demise.
Which British town should be abolished?
I saw my hometown Gillingham, Kent, in a top five worst places to live in Britain poll, but I wouldn't want to abolish it - everywhere has good and bad points. You can go to a beautiful affluent area and still find absolute arseholes living there.
Do you have a signature dance move?
I'm actually a trained dancer, but my go-to dance move will always be bending my friend/husband over and pretending to shag them from behind to the beat of the music. It's a classic.
What's your favourite building?
Rochester Cathedral, I've visited regularly since I was a child and been to various events there with my mum, so it's a special place for me. Rochester in general is a great place to visit with loads of history, and some good places to drink and be merry.
Ever walked out of a film, before the end?
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone. I got a free ticket because I worked at a restaurant below the cinema - I fell asleep first, then I left. If I'd have paid I probably would have stayed to the end, just to feel I'd got my money's worth. Never given it another go. I hear stand-ups make Harry Potter references in their set and it goes straight over my head... and I'm fine with that.
Who are you most envious of?
I'm envious of people who have the confidence to wear crocs and socks to restaurants.
What's the greatest invention, ever?
A plane - I would never have met my husband if not for a plane taking me to Australia. He gave me our gorgeous son and pays for stuff. Which is nice innit?
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