Lil Wenker is a London-based, Gaulier-trained clown from Minnesota and the co-founder of Chekhov’s Gum. She frequently performs at alternative comedy nights around London, co-runs Mom’s Room at London Hospital Tavern and has previously performed as part of rowdy and highly physical comedy, Crap Ballet, which was shortlisted for the 2023 Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence.
Tell us about your show?
Bangtail is a clown western about a cowboy-turned-accountant searching for his purpose. Think of it as a mix of the Marx Brothers and Clint Eastwood performing a rootin’ hour of epic-ness but somehow lose themselves to Excel spreadsheets and endless cups of coffee along the way.
The show is inspired by my Dad, Alan – an accountant at a Minnesotan animal feed company. Watching westerns with him as a little girl, clued me into his secret desire to be a rough and tumble hero. To me, there’s something sweet but tragically impossible about that desire because he is, quite simply, the original soft boy. But his aspiration, with equal amounts sincerity and hopelessness, makes me laugh. When he came to visit last December, he bought not one but two berets and refused not to smile in pictures in order to look “bad ass.” The material writes itself.
We have played the show all over the UK and the US, where I got to perform it for my Dad (and all his family members) in a bowling alley in Minnesota. He states, on record, to ‘love the show’.
How does it feel to be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
Bangtail is my first solo show, and I am equally excited and shitting myself. I’ve found new freedom performing alone because I can really let myself fully jump into any crazy idea that pops into my mind, but I miss having someone I love and trust so much on stage next to me. Thankfully, my amazing director Cecily will accompany me throughout the festival. She has a crazy laugh, the kind that stops shows and makes everyone else (even the performers laugh). Seriously, if you come to the show, you will hear it. When I make her laugh, I feel like I’m not alone on stage, and it reminds me how much freaking fun we’ve had making this show.
At my very first Edinburgh, I flyered for an improvised musical. We were a huge intern team (can you call yourself an intern if you’re not paid?), but every now and again I got to work backstage during the shows and get a taste of the excitement leading up to each performance. Two years later, I teched for my amazing friend, Rosa Garland, and her genius show Trash Salad. But it wasn’t until last year that I got to experience the real thrill (and exhaustion) of performing at fringe. I, alongside my brilliant friend David DeRuiter, brought a bouffon/dance two-hander called Crap Ballet for a two week run. We had the best time, and we ate so many sausage rolls.
Have you got any tips for comedians going up to the festival for the first time?
You will experience an entire life, from cradle to grave, at the festival, especially if you’re performing for the whole month! You’ll be excited to start, make your way around and learn where to go, meet new people go and see a lot of shows. You’ll fall in love and then become incredibly tired from all the shows, meeting people and performing and before you know it, you’re down to your last show.
It’s a journey, and enjoy every part of it! It’s so much fun.
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
Just a little note that not all of these people identify as women, but they are all extremely funny non-men, and you should run to see their work! Katie Norris, Rachel Kaly, Sophie Ducker, Alex Franklin, Madeleine Rowe, Posey Mehta.
Lil Wenker: Bangtail, 31 July – 25 August (not the 12 August) at 4.15pm, at The Pleasance Courtyard (Cellar). Book tickets here.
