Tell me about your show and why people should come and see it?
It's all about the Quarter-Life Crisis Phenomenon. That feeling of staring wide-eyed in your twenties, a bit lost, a bit overwhelmed and feeling like you're never going to be a 'grown-up'. All around you, people are getting hitched, popping out babies, buying houses and getting fat promotions, and you feel like you can't even look after your own iPhone properly. It's a funny, warm, musical examination of all things twentysomething, from Tinder dates, to flipping awful flatshares, from the joys of job-hunting to managing mental health, all with a big dollop of 90s nostalgia thrown in for good measure.
Which performers have inspired you & how?
Judy Garland for the sheer showbiz factor, Victoria Wood for the incredible lyrics and Frisky and Mannish for the comedy cabaret that comes with a real naughty glint in it's eye!
I often say choosing a favourite gin is like choosing between my children (which is why I don't have any) - What's your desert island gin & why?
Only one?! At the moment I am LOVING King of Soho Gin. The grapefruit bitterness works so well for Summer drinks and I just adore the inspiration taken from Soho's history that is present in everything, right down to the bottle design.
I have many different favourite bars depending on the occasion. What's your favourite for:
A. A Dry Martini & Date Night?
B. A Red Snapper (Gin Bloody Mary) & Brunch? C. Gin & a party?
Bar Americain
A) Bar Americain at Brasserie Zedel (feels as though you've stepped onto a cruise ship in the 1930's)
B) Heddon Street Kitchen (headed up by Gordon Ramsay)
C) Either The London Gin Club at The Star at Night (make sure you book a table!) or the East London Liquor Company (take some extra pennies for their EXCELLENT bottle shop!)
Why Edfringe? What's the best bits?
It's like nowhere else on the planet. You can see the world's most innovative theatre, laugh until you cry at the cream of the standup comedy crop and end up singing karaoke with the London Gay Men's Chorus in a cabaret bar at 3am. It's bonkers, brilliant and bloody exhausting.
What do you love most about performing?
The relationship you have with your audience. A show takes on a new life as soon as an audience clap their eyes on it and feeding off their energy and feeling like you're experiencing something together is BLOOMING ACE.
And the worst bits?
Eating Lidl beans for a month when you're inbetween jobs.
Do you have any recommended reads for performers?
Anthony Sher's book 'Year of the King' about when he played Richard III at the RSC in the 80's is brilliant. The Surviving Actor's Manual is a great bible for all performers, covering everything you'd need within the industry. Online, The Honest Actors website is wonderful for keeping sane and up to date with fellow performers.
What are your Edfringe / Performing goals?
To make people laugh, to sell out at LEAST one show and to make it to the end of the month with my liver intact.
What advice do you have for aspiring Edfringe Performers ?
See as much work as you can in your field (theatre, standup, cabaret), and don't be afraid to talk to people. Asking for advice and favours is the way- the worst anyone can say is no! Be brave, and work your tits off.
If you were a gin or a gin cocktail which would you be and why?
Given how much sleep I tend to get during Edfringe, I'd say a Corpse Reviver #2 (gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, a dash of absinthe with a maraschino cherry garnish.)
If you could share a Dry Martini with anyone who would it be?
Caitlin Moran. She is my QUEEN. Can I have Ru Paul as well? Serving Gin Martini Realness.
What's your pet Edfringe hate?
Trying to get up the Royal Mile in a hurry. NO THANK YOU I DON'T WANT YOUR FLYER RIGHT NOW.
If you aren't drinking Gin what is your tipple?
I'm partial to an IPA these days. Independent beer brewers are doing the most magical things with hops and creating the most beeeeauutifffulll brews.
Any other pearls of wisdom or Edfringe rants?
The best advice I can give you is; Never judge a book by its cover, but always judge a bar by its toilets.
Where else can I send readers to find you online?
My blog is at www.bloodyhellbrennan.com, my work website is www.katiebrennan.net
Social Media wise:
I'm on Facebook here:
Twitter at @Katie_Brennan,
Instagram at bloodyhellbrennan
and Snapchat at ktee_b. All bases covered!
3rd-29th August (not 15th), 22.50-23.50 at Underbelly Wee Coo. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Get tickets to The Gin Whore Tour - enjoy tasting 4 gins & plenty of giggles at a venue near you!