Katie Norris
Published: Tuesday 17th September 2024
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week that funny person is Katie Norris, who has just returned from a debut run at the Edinburgh Fringe (a debut solo run, anyway, after umpteen with the popular duo Norris & Parker) and is about to start a stint at London's Soho Theatre.
That show: Farm Fatale. Has she been cultivating it for some time?
"The show has been in development since March 2020, when I found myself locked down, unemployed and going through a break-up," Norris explains. "My cat, Atticus, who I relied on for comfort and conversation became involved with my wanton hussy neighbour. I would scream his name out of the window, often in the middle of the night until people started shouting his name back at me, mocking me.
"Shortly after that, my dad died and I nearly became an art therapist. Luckily for everyone, that never happened so I wrote a show to prove I am not a joke. Who's laughing now?!"
Indeed. And what were Katie's Edinburgh highlights, onstage and off?
"Onstage, there was an evening where I had the mother of a boy I went to school with in the audience, so I confessed my undying love for him throughout the show and now we're engaged!
"Offstage would be my living with fellow comics Stevie Martin and Adam Riches and their dog Piper. As a cat lady, I found living with a dog a huge culture shock because she ate my mac lipstick and my headphones. However, we had so many cuddles and I wasn't judged for stinking out the flat with 3am Super Noodles."
The best kind. Katie Norris, your Random 8 await.
Who is, or was, your most interesting relative?
My brother Tim because he's cool enough to have no social media presence and creates these mind-blowing wood sculptures all around the world.
He really suffers for his art and often sleeps outside, or in his car to feel inspired. Actually, I don't know why he does that because he owns a house. He used to be a bin man which didn't last long because his colleagues used to call him Prince William.
I always call him up when I need something fixing around the house, like if the toilet seat comes loose. Apparently I need to stop wiggling my bum when I poo? Tim leaves a conversation in person or on the phone so abruptly that you feel ghosted but he's built so many cool things like a canoe that lives in my garden and is home to a family of foxes. When I was little he built me and my other brother a treehouse which looked like something out of Grand Designs.
What's your favourite fact?
That I am a Pisces sun, Pisces moon and Cancer rising. I am a triple water sign - which means I'm adorable, prone to melodrama and do not gel with Leo men. And yes, astrology is fact.
Your most memorable injury?
Most recently, I cut my knee falling over on the cobbles inebriated during the Fringe. Crying and in pain I ordered an Uber but mistakenly added my London home address instead of Leith, which would have cost me £950.
However, I'll always remember my first day at drama school. I was keen to impress my new classmates, so I enthusiastically kicked a chair during an improvisation exercise, split my foot open and lost so much blood that I was taken to A&E to have it glued back together.
Ever walked out of a film (before the end)?
Alvin And The Chipmunks in 2007 because my boyfriend turned up really stoned, which looking back is probably the only way to enjoy that film so fair play to him.
What's the worst thing in your wardrobe?
A latex black dress that you can only access using copious amounts of talcum powder. I bought it when I was trying to prove to myself, and everyone, that I was over my ex and doing absolutely fine actually!
The plan was to go Torture Gardens - an exclusive sex party where wild and liberated hot people all get with each other. When I arrived I immediately became overwhelmed, went home, ordered a McDonald's and rang my ex crying.
Do you have a favourite device, ever?
I love watching pimple popping videos, so I bought (not from Shein) a suction tool with an inbuilt camera that sucks out spots from your face. Using Bluetooth you can attach it to your phone's camera and watch all the juice come out. It's gross and luxurious.
What's the very best thing you ever saw?
When I was fourteen a young farmer called Jacob Tipp-Exed his balls, set them alight in the park and didn't even wince. Which is a really cool way to let someone know you fancy them!
Who's the rudest person you've ever met?
Stupid question. Bog off.
Katie Norris: Farm Fatale is at London's Soho Theatre from September 23. SohoTheatre.com
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