Ashlee Bentley has challenged herself to be less of a ‘Wallflower’, as it seems the contrast of this being her natural state as well as being a stand-up comedian may be getting too ironic! She’s been challenging herself to step out her comfort zone, and seems to be the most pleasantly surprised by the results so far – a fully-funded Fringe debut from winning Magners’ ‘Share the Craic’ being the least of it.

What was the competition process like for Magners’ Share the Craic?

It was crazy! I ended up very last minute, I just randomly saw it one day and, I mean, my brain never went to winning it! I just thought it’d be really fun to do a gig in London. I went along and everyone was amazing so I was like, ‘I’m not going to get through…’ Then when I went back for the final and everyone was amazing, I was very happy and I thought that’s it, someone else will win but it was really fun to do. And then they called my name! It was very bizarre, it was very overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting to win because I think I’ve always been the bridesmaid rather than the bride when it comes to competitions.

Do you think you’d be debuting this year if it weren’t for this competition?

No, I don’t think so. I’ve never really given way too much thought of it. The fringe is incredible and I’ve always come over for a couple of days here and there, but it’s really expensive, and coming from Ireland as well. I never really thought it was something I’d be able to do. But it’s always been a dream, I’ve always wanted to do the full run… so it’s really made a massive difference. It’s an incredible prize and it would have been incredible for anybody, but I’m glad it’s me!

And how are you finding your run so far?

It doesn’t feel real at all. I do feel a bit like Cinderella, like someone who’s been whisked away from her life and I get to do all these incredible things. It still feels like I could wake up at any moment and be back at home in Ireland, just reading everybody’s reviews online and looking at it from just my phone screen.

How have you built your show from the competition?

The first heat was 10 minutes and the final was 20. I think I’ve always been thinking about, in the back of my head anyway, what my show would be. So I think everything I was doing already was on theme anyway. We threw a show and try to create a narrative that makes sense. For the amount of time I’ve had, I think I’m happy enough… but I don’t think I’m fully happy with anything I do.

Without borrowing too much from the 2012 film, do you think there are Perks of Being a Wallflower?

You know, when I named the show I was ‘I should really watch it’, but, yeah – haven’t seen it! Rather than there being perks, I think I’ve always wanted to be more of a confident person and better able to deal with social situations. I’ve always been very awkward and very socially anxious, I don’t think I could get away with not talking about it. It’d be great if other people who felt like me also felt like they wanted to come. But then I hope that people who do come who don’t feel that way. I suppose that’s just me stepping out of my comfort zone as well. I think that’s something that connects us all, we’re all trying to do things all the time that are out of our comfort zone.

You talk about pressure to present our best selves – how do you think social media feeds into that?

Yeah I find that super difficult. I think, as well, as a comedian you’re supposed to be really good at self-promo. You’re supposed to sell yourself better than anybody can and I’ve always found that really difficult. I don’t know if it’s just… I find it embarrassing? I’m not great with social media – I think I try to be a bit more honest with how I find things and I hope it resonates with people. If it wasn’t for comedy I think I would just delete most things and just have nothing to do with it.

What makes the Fringe special?

It is really great to come somewhere like here and you just have to many comedians that you can go and see. I love coming as a viewer as well. It does feel like comedy Christmas as well – everything comes up to this… and you’re constantly on the go and you have so much to do but it’s like you’re just living off adrenaline and a lot of alcohol as well. But it’s just really nice getting to see everybody doing what they love to do and, yeah, I love it!

Summarise your show in five words?

Anxious, but dealing with it.

‘Wallflower’ at The Wee Coo at Underbelly, George Square until Sun 30 Aug 2026