Bethany Black (Britain’s only Goth, Lesbian, Post-Op Transsexual stand up), returns to the Fringe this year following her debut smash show in 2008, and having been gigging for 5 years, she’s got a lot to say. This year she presents “Love and a Colt 45,” the latter of which represents copious amount of alcohol, not a firearm. “It’s really about facing up to your problems and not blaming them on anyone else,” she explains, “and forgiveness, it’s all about forgiveness. Jesus, that sounds lame.” Her final attempt: “it’s an hour of stories about why I shouldn’t have alcohol or be allowed in a relationship.”
Based on her early experiences of drinking Colt 45 lager as a teenager, and her experiences when considering herself to be more in love than she really was, it seems she spotted the similarities in people’s behaviour/stupid decisions – or at least hers. As far as she’s concerned, alcohol and love cause the most stupid decisions – but which is worse. “Neither any more,” she says, seeming relieved, “I’ve got all sorts of scars that I know are a direct result of drinking. However I also believe I once wrote the creepiest and most clingy text message to someone, ever!” On that note, it would seem that she has a real wealth of decisions which form part of her hilarious show. “Every time I bought a drink, took any drugs or said ‘I love you’ when I meant ‘My life’s not worth living without you and I need you to make all my decisions for me and in return I’ll do everything that you ever ask of me’. They’re not the same thing no matter how often I mistook them for the same thing.” There’s also that apparent element of ‘Alconoia’ running rife: “it’s that alcoholic paranoia,” she tells me, “that feeling when you come round from a night’s drinking with a crushing fear that any information from the previous night that’s revealed to you may cause you do die of embarrassment”.
(Editor’s note: Bethany’s bad decisions continue, as she seems to have decided to ignore our “in five words “request!)
IN FIVE WORDS
Favourite thing about your show?
The ending, I really like the ending.
Favourite thing about the Festival?
Seeing comics who for the rest of the year only walk from their flat to their car, all nearly having a heart attack on the first couple of days.
Where can we find you when you’re not performing?
Wandering around trying to find vegan food.
What are you most looking forward to once it’s all over?
Going to France to visit my parents, and not having to worry about what other people think of me for a few weeks.
Bethany Black is playing from the 6th till the 30th (not on the 17th) at 23:35 at the Underbelly. Don’t miss her!
Graham McIntosh
