On Twitter the other day I bumped into the very lovely Vicky Arlidge and she asked me if I knew she was on at the Edinburgh Festival this year.
Vicky’s the mom responsible for the very funny song “Mum Can You Wipe My Bum?” and many others, similarly entertaining.
Because I love the song and she seems like one of us, I decided to interview her for the blog. Here’s what she said: E: I see you were at Edinburgh Uni, is there anything in particular you're looking forward to about being back in the city? V: I absolutely loved being a student in Edinburgh. It's a fantastic city and I was so happy there. Just walking the streets again will give me a warm glow, I'm sure! I still have old friends living there so I'm looking forward to hooking up with them. Perhaps for old times sake I'll order a pint of 70 shilling or 'heavy' in the Southsider - haven't done that for over 20 years.E: What kind of preparation have you done for the Fringe?
V: It's my first time so I'm a bit of a novice. I've asked for lots of advice and have tried not to make too many mistakes along the way. I feel like it will be a bit of a baptism of fire though - however much I prepare I should expect the unexpected. There'll be highs and lows along the way, no doubt, but if nothing else I'll have a story to tell at the end of it.
E: How do you write your songs? V: I try to write about things that stir up a lot of emotion in me whilst trying to find humor in the everyday dramas of family/married life. I like to pick subjects that I believe everybody knows are true but are too British to talk about - thus my song "Raunchy raucous sex or a nice cup of tea?" E: What's the highlight of your career so far? V: I think it must have been my Edinburgh preview at the Bakehouse in St Albans. The place was packed, we nearly had to turn people away and they were my perfect audience - a bunch of parents on a rare night out, drinking cocktails and letting their hair down. I didn't stop buzzing for days.
E: Can you offer any advice to parents who want to, erm, inspire their youngsters to practice their musical instruments? V: Er.... bribery! That's what I use! A promise of pocket money, some stickers, movie night with popcorn at the end of the week... Whatever works is money well spent I think!
E: Why should we come and see your show? V: To have a good giggle I hope! I'm often compared to Victoria Wood so if you like her, you'll hopefully like me too. Let’s compare dirty laundry, we'll feel so much better afterwards....
Get more Vicky here.
Or, better still, see her in the flesh.
Venue: C nova, venue 145, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2 - 10 Aug. Time: 17.45 (50 mins) Tickets: £8.50 - £10.50/ concs £6.50 - £8.50. C venues box office: 0845 260 1234 www.cthefestival.com Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 www.edfringe.com
