Shay Mace
Sapphire McIntosh arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe today with Squeaky Bum Time, her stand-up hour that explores ambition, identity and the strange overlap between football, failure and finding your way, with plenty of laughs promised along the way. We caught up with Sapphire for a pixelated pint to find out what’s inspired her to bring her story to the stage, and where she finds the funny.
You can catch Sapphire McIntosh: Squeaky Bum Time at Underbelly Bristo Square (Daisy Room) from 17:45 (60mins) on August 5 – 30 (not the 18th) . Tickets are Available Through the Underbelly Box Office.
Shay: Hi Sapphire, tell us about the themes of Squeaky Bum Time and why you have decided to bring this to the stage now?
Sapphire: The themes cover resilience, homelessness and how football has helped me throughout my life to steer me in the right direction, given me routine and strengthened me in times where I’ve faced hardship.
I have been performing stand up for five years. In my twenties I spent a lot of time making funny, interesting voxpops and sketches that I’d upload onto YouTube. People in the comments used to suggest that I try stand up but, at the time, i didn’t have the confidence. I used to always write at my receptionist job – stories, novels, poems… it was like my little secret. But since I’ve been on stage i haven’t looked back, and I’ve still got all the things from the past that I’ve written !
Shay: Tell us about your process for putting together this hour – what do you do to get yourself motivated and what challenges have you found with this material?
Sapphire: This is material I’ve been curating for the past five years on stage all around the country. There’s parts in it that go deeper and reveal more about myself, something that has come really naturally to me as I’ve been waiting to share my story for a long time. I’m quite a naturally motivated person in general, I love to holiday and rest but I’m also a keen gym goer and football player. I think playing football all my life has given me good routine habits and how to get things done. Sometimes I’ve had notes from my director, Jess Fostekew, and pretty much I don’t find it hard to just go and crack on with those notes. The challenges have come more from revealing parts about my life. I think there’s been some shame there but I’m hoping sharing my story will change that feeling.
Shay: Tell us about your comedy icons – who are they, and how have they influenced your work?
Sapphire: All the writers from the first 15 series of The Simpsons, Sophie Willian, Sally Wainwright, Paul Abbott, Chris Rock, Bernie Mac. Sophie for her personal hilarious storytelling and writing Alma’s Not Normal. Sally for her detailed, funny, bleak writing. Paul the same as Sally; bleak. The first two seasons of shameless are some of my favourite TV, Chris for his brain and facial expressions. Bernie’s TV show, candour and tone.
Shay: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Sapphire: Cup of tea, bathroom, moisture my hands.
Shay: What do you do when you’re faced with writer’s block?
Sapphire: Keep living my life and wait for the flow to come back.
Shay: Has/will the show be performed anywhere ahead of EdFringe?
Sapphire: Yes, I did improv last year and a few years ago I was part of Best In Class.
Shay: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Sapphire: To see the audiences reaction, and perform to loads of people
Shay: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Sapphire: Dark and Stormy. My comedy is dark, and I’ve lived through a storm.
A reminder, you can catch Sapphire McIntosh: Squeaky Bum Time at Underbelly Bristo Square (Daisy Room) from 17:45 (60mins) on August 5 – 30 (not the 18th). Tickets are Available Through the Underbelly Box Office.
Image Credit: Michael Jullings
Saint Stella Productions
Spencer Waldner
