Home-schooled Irish comedian Beau Holland had plenty of unique material to bring to the grand final! Beau’s story-telling skills, romanticizing alcoholism as an 11-year-old secured her a place as one of our finalists and she didn’t disappoint! We caught up with Beau to talk comedy, finding material, and panic buying in M&S…
Funny Women: How did it feel to perform at the Funny Women Awards final?
Beau Holland: I’m not going to lie, I was knocking back the Rescue Remedy to calm me down and stress eating these things called Grenade Carb Killa bars I panic grabbed from M&S on the way to the theatre to pump me up, so between both things, I was confused as to what state I was in. Which now I realise, is very similar to how I am every day. But once I got out onto the stage the positive energy from the audience in the theatre hit me right in the belly and it was a blurry five minutes that I’m pretty sure was a lot of fun.
FW: How did you get started in comedy?
BH: Before the Funny Women Awards I had only performed stand-up once, at an open mic night, I’m not counting the second time I performed. It was to a room of stand-ups and one audience member by the name of Kingdom. So, it’s safe to say I am just starting out. I have been an actor since I was young though and I’ve always been drawn to comedic characters. When you get a wave of laughter hitting you on stage, it’s the best feeling in the world
FW: What inspires your comedy material?
BH: Usually when something awkward or horrible happens in my life I find a way of turning it into a funny story so I can put it into a different box in my head.
FW: What would you say to anyone considering entering the Awards next year?
BH: Do it, you have nothing to lose and only a great experience to gain.
FW: And lastly, who are your favourite funny women?
BH: It’s very hard to choose, growing up my icons were Lena Lemont (Jean Hagen) in Singing in the Rain, Mrs. Doyle (Pauline McGlynn) in Father Ted, Deloris (Whoopie Goldberg) in Sister Act. There are nine new funny women in my life, the other finalists of the Funny Women Awards. The dressing room was a show in itself.
Photo credit: S Ullathorne
