Hannah Platt’s honest and distinctive style placed her as runner up in the 2023 Funny Women Stage Award. She has an unflinching outlook on life and, after a diagnosis of body dysmorphia, she explores how the world looks back at her. Often acerbic and never shying away from sensitive topics, Hannah asks why we keep people at arm’s length, and are you really a people pleaser if no one is pleased?
Tell us about your show.
My show is called Defence Mechanism – it’s my debut hour about mental health, class, and how trying your best is so gross so maybe don’t do it actually? I’ve always had a very harsh view of the world – but when I got diagnosed with body dysmorphia, it made me think, well if my perception of myself is wrong, maybe my perception of the world could be too. I’ve always been quite a dry, sarky person, so this is me trying something completely outside of my comfort zone – sincerity.
How does it feel to be going to the Fringe for the first time?
I’ve been the show every year as a punter or performer since I was 18 – but this is my first year doing a solo show! I’m really excited, it was something always on my career bucket list and I’m really proud of the show I’ve made.
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
Laura Davies is one of my favourite comedians full stop – her stuff is bold, moving and with the right level of anger (all of it). Her show is at Monkey Barrel at 14:55.
Kemah Bob needs none of my help with promotion because she’s already smashing it, but go see her debut this year before she’s household status. She’s at Pleasance Courtyard Baby Grand at 19:05, so you could go see her and then have five minutes to hop over and see my show at 20:10 in the room opposite – Pleasance Courtyard Bunker Two.
Hannah Platt’s debut stand up hour Defence Mechanism is at the Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker 2 @ 8.10pm. Book tickets here. Photo credit Nicola Grimshaw-Mitchell.
