In her debut stand-up hour, Silkworm, the world’s youngest, smallest, most normal comedian, Sarah Roberts, is finally committing to the person she’s been told to hate the most; herself. She is a Komedia New Comedy Award finalist 2023, Leicester Square New Act runner-up 2022, BBC New Comedy Award nominee 2022, as well as Soho Theatre Labs Plus alumni 2022.
Tell us about your show.
Silkworm is my debut stand up hour and it’s about the stories we tell ourselves (and everyone else) about who we are. When I was younger I got double jaw surgery to ‘correct’ a ‘facial deformity’, the show reflects on that experience, and how it feels to be told every day you’re facially deformed (spoiler, not good!) It’s about realising you’ve actually been perfect all along, even though the world is constantly trying to change you. There are also some surprising ancestry DNA test results in there, memories from my past life as Henry VIII, coming out as queer at 30, and being in the top 1% of Candy Crush players worldwide. It’s got a lot of embargoed gossip in it too.
Why is it called Silkworm?
My friend Bebe helped me come up with the name, Silkworm. When it was at work in progress stage it was called Worm In Progress, and I wanted something along the same theme for the full show. Silkworms are a perfect analogy for the feeling I’m trying to convey in the show. They’ve also been perceived wrong, they’re not even worms, they’re actually moths. So the show is about waiting in the wings of your life to become the perfect version of yourself before you feel ready to get out and start being alive. I always felt like I was in a cocoon waiting to become a beautiful moth, but I’ve actually been one all along.
How does it feel to be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
Exciting, but scary! I had such a great time last year doing a midday work in progress because there was no pressure, and I had the whole afternoon and evening to see all my friends’ gorgeous shows. I’m trying to turn my nerves into excitement this year because it’s my debut, so it feels like the stakes are a lot higher. I think it’s important to remember why you love doing comedy, it’s not for reviews or clout, it’s because it’s fun and playful and silly, and that’s what I want to bring to my show. I’m trying to quieten the noise and turn up the laughter…to one million decibels hopefully.
Have you got any tips for comedians performing at the festival for the first-time?
Be nice to yourself. Go and see lots of stuff. Try not to compare yourself to others! Also, if you get a small audience you can still have a really gorgeous and fun show. My best friend Kiran and I did a split bill in 2022 at the Fringe called Cake and one night we only got two girls in, and you know what? It was the best show we had. We all ended up becoming lifelong friends, shout out Jen and Niamh!
Which funny women are you looking forward to seeing this year?
Loads. This year is a funny women bonanza, so I’m sorry if I forget anyone. The shows I’ve seen and can really vouch for are Bebe Cave’s, The Screen Test, Bella Hull’s, Piggie, and Kiran Saggu’s, Slacks, they’re all brilliant and hilarious and absolutely unmissable. Also, Rosalie Minnitt is bringing back Clementine for a short run and I’ve seen some sweet surprises she’s got up her sleeve for this iteration. It’s gonna be somehow even bigger and better than before if you can believe it? Shows I haven’t seen yet but am so excited for are Chelsea Birkby, Amy Mason, Dee Allum, Paulina Lenoir and Olga Koch. Those girls are perfect every single time.
Sarah Roberts: Silkworm, 7th – 13th and 15th – 25th August , 10.35pm at Assembly George Square (The Box). Book tickets here.
Photo credit: Raphael Neal
