Rachel Mars has a comedy problem. She has been addressing it in her show 'The Way You Tell Them' which is a show about "how to use and abuse comedy". We caught up with Rachel to talk about what's funny, what's tragic and wolf suits (which definitely aren't tragic – they're comfy).
Funny Women: Your show ‘The Way You Tell Them’ is about finding comedy in all kinds of things, is there anything that’s just not funny?
Rachel Mars: No, I think it's all about context and who is doing the telling, and taste. I don't trust pronouncements about what is or isn't funny. We all have to decide to ourselves – which means we might get it wrong sometimes, which is the risk and the excitement, I think.
FW: We can’t help but notice the wolf costume. Other than the obvious comfort factor, why have you decided to wear it?
RM: Yes, it is super toasty, thank you for noticing. I wear it for one particular character routine, about the mafia. I really like the plain old weirdness of it, and the fact it reduces me to something animal and childlike while I'm talking about disembowling children. It is also a way to hide, if I'm honest, so If I die I have less chance of being shouted at in Sainsbury's afterwards.
FW: Do you have a comedy problem?
RM: Yes. But the first step is to acknowledge there's a problem. Or so I'm told. I like to think that I'm in recovery. Humour has always been the backbone of my identity and it was formative in some really great ways – dealing with difficult situations, making connections quite quickly but it has its limits.
I have definitely used humour in ways that might not always be helpful, and have hurt people along the way. I have realised you don't need to say everything in your head to get a laugh, and I hope I'm better company now.
FW: Your show addresses where comedy fits in a world full of tragedy. What do you want the audience to take home from your show?
RM: I think because laughing is infectious and involuntary we don't often think about why we do it, or try to make other people do it. I'd like them to take home some questions about how they feel about laughing, being part of a group and what's going on when we try to make gags. Hopefully they will also have had a funny time along the way.
FW: Who are your favourite women in comedy?
RM: Growing up it was always French and Saunders, Joan Rivers, Roseanne and Ellen. At the moment I love Sara Pascoe, Adrienne Trustcott and Susan Calman.
You can catch Rachel Mars performing 'The Way You Tell Them' on Friday 25th April at Canada Water Cultural Space, Saturday 3rd May at Machynlleth Comedy Festival and Monday 12th May at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival