Edinburgh Fringe preview: Lorraine Hoodless on Mean

Scottish observational and stand-up comedian Lorraine Hoodless brings her show Mean to the PBH Free Fringe as part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

“A fast, funny and fiercely relatable blast through capitalism, rockets, tradwives and the everyday chaos of keeping it together without losing your mind (or job). With cheeky wit and warm self-awareness, Lorraine tackles burnout, billionaires, consumer guilt, the myth of meritocracy, and the slow collapse of society. Smart, cathartic and joyfully cutting, Mean speaks to women who are tired of the state of things and ready to unleash hopeful rage, with riotous calls to action. Wildcard Amused Moose New Comedian 2020. Semi-finalist British Comedian of the Year 2021.”

Where: Back Lounge at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Pilgrim

When: 8-30 Aug (not Mon)

Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lorraine-hoodless-mean

What is Mean about and where did the idea come from? 

I slice through capitalism, rockets, trad wives and my online-shopping shame. It’s for folks fed up with billionaires, burnout and BS.

The ideas for the show have been developing over the last two years. I’ve started to engage more in the politics of the day and reading and listening to many podcasts. There is so much in the world which is unfair, unjust, and quite frankly untenable. 

I hope that by speaking about how this all spills into my experience of the world, people will relate and unite to take action in what seems like a hopeless time. There are micro choices we make that can impact the norm. We are more powerful than we think….

How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph? 

If you are massively upset by the inequality in the world, want to laugh about it, and to find hope, this is the show for you. 

Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe?

I love it; it’s like boot camp for comedians. I’ve improved every year I’ve attended, and it’s a chance for me to connect with fellow comedians and improve my performance exponentially. 

And do you have any moments you particularly remember? 

It’s always a delight when family and friends pop by to see the show. A particular highlight was my youth theatre director coming along. I felt very proud to have come back to my passion, which is performing. It was lovely to reconnect. 

What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh? 

Getting to be a comedian full time, instead of working 9-5 and squeezing in my passion when I can. I can concentrate on where I can go next with my career, which is amazing. 

What’s next for the show?

Touring, the show has legs beyond Fringe, and it’s very zeitgeisty….lots of chat on this in the media especially since Elon became a trillionaire!