Edinburgh Fringe 2010: Interview Leah & Katie ‘Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting

Last year Tom and I saw  lot of shows but this was the only show we went to twice. These guys are, without fear of contradiction, some one of the best sketch show artists ever. See this show, see it and love them for the are Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting.

How have things been going, since last years Free Fringe Show what have you guys been up to?

We’ve been working our asses –arses???– off writing and performing in NY and travelling around the US. We do, on average, 2-3 shows a week in bars, theaters, lofts, basements or anywhere else people want to watch two girls doing comedy in shitty underwear (pants???).

What was it like doing a Free Fringe Show?

While flyering, we found many people had negative reactions to the word “free show.” They think “well, if it doesn’t cost money it means it must be worthless.” But we saw so many free shows that were much better than some of the ones we paid $10 for (I don’t have any other currency symbol on my patriotic computer). Our venue in the Rowan caves last year was a blessing in disguise. We had very little tech and we were performing in a drippy, dirty, haunted cave which could have been disastrous but it created an amazing ambiance which paired very well with our energy and comedy.

Did you think your material would fit in to a mainly European Audience?

We had no idea how our sense of humor would match up with people outside the US. We have a few British influences (AbFab, Monty Python, League of Gentlemen, Withnail), but comedy can be so rooted in culture–we didn’t know if our sensibilities would match up.

We knew that we would have to tailor some things once we were there, which we did, but for the most part our comedy translated surprisingly well. Only one sketch (which usually kills in the states) bombed hard. We tried it twice and then replaced it. Too many specifically American references.

Yours shows where always ‘sold out’ did that surprise you?

We worked really hard to get an audience in that dingy cave every night at 11pm and it all paid off. Starting with an audience of 30 we ended up with sometimes 100 people stacked to the back! It was a combination of tenacious flyering and word of mouth.

What was the best feedback you got from your audience?

The very best feedback we got was from a young Polish guy who came up to us after the show all smiles and said, “If you did that in my country you would be arrested.” We took it as a high compliment.

Your back this year, what can people expect?

A new show with new sketches and songs. And no poop jokes. That’s a lie. Lots of poop jokes.

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

Katie learned how to murder people.

What was the best show you guys saw last year?

We were lucky enough to see Kim Noble Must Die. It was terrifying, hilarious and if we think about it too hard we start crying. We were riveted by the mixture of theater/comedy/performance art but also on the edge of our seats the entire show, worried about being singled out by him. As we left the theater (really he kicked the audience out) some guys shouted “You’re a cunt!” To get such an intense reaction he is definitely doing something right. It’s exciting that people are creating work like that. What else? We saw the last performance of George Ryegold:Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead and fell in love this twisted alter ego of Toby Williams. The word play, the sick stories were right up our ally. He kept us laughing for a full hour even though we were sitting on shitty pillows on the floor. Can’t wait to see what he brings this year.

What advice would you give someone bringing a show to the Fringe?

For us, the important balance to strike was being flexible and working with what we were given (venue, audience, etc.) while being aggressive about getting people in the seats. Make flyering fun. If you are able to engage a person on the street and make them laugh, chances are they will come to your show. Unless they don’t speak English. Then a smile and the promise of a free show works against you, because they will be sitting in the audience trying to loudly translate our bizarre humor for their friends. When in doubt? Make the international sign of the blow job. It worked for us.