Alexandra Haddow has become a popular face on the UK comedy circuit, as well as on social media; one of a recent wave of young comedians who have found an audience online as well as on stage. Alexandra is bringing her first full-length show ‘Not My Finest Hour’ to Edinburgh, and she spoke to us about her various youthful transgressions, the differences between her stage and online presence, and the recognition her show has received already.
Can you tell us about ‘Not My Finest Hour’?
‘Not My Finest Hour’ is my debut solo show about doing things wrong. Specifically something I did in my twenties that I shouldn’t have. It’s about why we do bad things, what leads to it, why social media should have an ‘I fucked up’ category. It’s about my hometown, losing my virginity, people I’ve dated, and all the strange decisions I’ve made in my life so far. So there’s something for everyone.
In the show you delve into your various transgressions. To what extent is it a warts-and-all performance? Is there a boundary where you’d say, ‘No, I’ll keep that particular skeleton in the closet’?
I tend to be an over-sharer (sorry to my mates I’ve embarrassed in the pub), but at the same time I wouldn’t ever want anyone to feel uncomfortable about something I’ve shared if it implicates them in any identifiable way, so yeah, if someone else is involved I’d probably keep it to myself! And of course, you have to save some things for the autobiography… right?
You’ve developed a growing social media presence in recent years. Given that it’s not always a platform that’s driven nuance, would you approach a subject differently online than you would onstage? And does your online material feed into your live shows, and vice versa?
Yeah I’ve got a lot of followers on Twitter, the one where you don’t get any free stuff. I love it though. People say it’s a toxic place, and it can be, but I just use it as a joke counter to see what works. Sometimes when I’m writing new material I go through my tweets as jumping-off points, but I’d say I’m way more political on Twitter than I am on stage. I’m less angry in my show and a lot more personal and confessional. On Twitter I think my most liked stuff is about the Tories, John Lennon, and a tiny chees egrater I won in a cracker. I don’t let @dave67947464 with the Union Jack in his bio bother me.
This is your debut Fringe show. What are your hopes and expectations for August? You’ve already had a nomination for Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival. Does that boost the confidence, or does is add a wee bit of pressure?
I genuinely don’t feel any pressure for awards etc, and I’ve never really been reviewed! I feel pressure to put on a good show for people who have spent their money to come and see me. And I look at other performers I admire and feel pressure to be as hard working or as good as them, but the nomination just spurred me on to keep going. Writing your first show is hard! So thank you Leicester. I hope I just do a great show and manage to retain my sanity for the month. I also can’t wait to see my friends’ shows. It’s nice to all be in the same boat.
Beside ‘Not My Finest Hour’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?
I’ll be everywhere doing spots and shows and recording podcasts and all sorts, but just Edinburgh for August, and then I’m off to Ireland for my friend’s wedding and to lie in some grass for a week.
Apart from your show, what else are you looking forward to (or even perhaps dreading) about the Fringe?
I’m so excited to see loads of other shows, hang out with my pals, see my mates that are coming up to support, and generally try and get through it all with the same camaraderie that you usually see in people that for some reason run those ultra marathons. I’ve also said I’m going to be good for the first two weeks… so it’ll be interesting to see how that pans out.
Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?
Yes, so many! But mostly Jamie Finn: ‘Nobody’s Talking About Jamie’, it’s a brilliant piece of theatre, comedy, AND a bit of music from a very talented friend of mine. ‘Jamie Allerton Goes To The Movies’, if you’re a film fan, or even if you’re not, you’ll love this from one of the most naturally funny people I’ve ever met (annoyingly). Also check out Adam Flood, Liz Guterbock, Paddy Young, Lorna Rose Treen, and Darran Griffiths, amongst others!
‘Not My Finest Hour’ runs from Wed 2 to Fri 25 Aug 2023 at Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker 2 at 18:55