Irish comedian Shianne Higgins show 10 Things They Hate About Me explores sex, aging, and love in a chaotic and hilarious. Despite the title, we are fairly sure audiences will find 10 things they love about this sell-out comedian and finalist of Ireland’s Best New Comedian and Ireland’s Best New Act. Fringe Review’s Noah Alfred Pantano interviews to get to the bottom of all the things people hate (or love) about Higgins’ comedy. You can see 10 Things They Hate About Me July 24-26 at Colchester Fringe.
NAP: Hello Shianne! Give me the quick pitch. What is 10 Things They Hate About Me?
SH: When it comes to relationships, Shinanne Higgins is ALL about the D… disappointment! She is a single, 40ish-year-old “lady” on a journey of reflection. So begins the list of 10 things that make her undateable. Her eggs are hanging on like contestants on Gladiators – even her cultural references are old! She grew up in 90’s Ireland: in a world of romance novels and rom-coms, but she’s always the bridesmaid, never the bridezilla! Her “type” has been alcoholics with mommy issues, that look like Gollum from Lord Of The Rings. In her defence, her love language is being told she’s precious!
NAP: Now frankly, we don’t have enough time to cover all ten reasons in this interview. So TL;DR – what is the number one thing they hate about you?
SH: I’m ODD! I knows I’m a bit odd but my family say to me, Shinanne, “your’e a bit odd!”.I spent my whole life going around being myself…turns out people don’t like that! Also turns out that I’m Autistic and have ADHD, recently diagnosed..so I look into your soul but not your eyes! I’m terrifying to men because I do what makes me happy. I’m unpredictable, even to myself, I’m a raging feminist and smelly left wing activist and the more red pills men take the further removed from connecting with them I am.
NAP: Now, fair is fair. What is the number one thing you hate about fringe audiences?
SH: Fringe audiences are my favourite! They are honestly the best. So many people have come up to me after my fringe shows and given me hugs and tell me about life experiences that connect with the show! BUT if I had to say one thing …I’d like more standing ovations…or any!
NAP: How would you describe your style of comedy?
SH: My comedy is fast paced, sometimes dark, and always funny. It connects to real life stories, growing up in 80’s Ireland, and a smidgen of whimsical, light-hearted self reflection. They say tragedy plus time equals comedy and I, like the Miller’s Daughter in Rumpelstiltskin, aim to spin my yarns into comedy gold!
NAP: Let’s pretend I’m torn on coming to see your show: what’s one thing you’d tell me to convince me to buy a ticket?
SH: The show is a fast paced hour with a high joke per minute count and an overall conclusion that brings the show beautifully full circle. While Shinanne complete slates herself and hangs all her dirty washing on the line it also conveys a strong message about being who you are . It is “A bracing, honest, and very funny hour of comedy about the trials of modern dating.” (Edinburgh Review)
NAP: How did you go about writing this show? What was your inspiration?
SH: There are 2 things that Irish people worry about with regard to women…getting pregnant too young or leaving it too late! I’ve been creating witty retorts to why I’m single since 2005. My family light a candle for me when I’m going on a date. Quite honestly, the jokes wrote themselves! My main problem was condensing it to one hour!
NAP: Is there a comedian you particularly admire who inspires you as an artist?
SH: When you grow up with 7 siblings, comedy is a way to get attention, protect yourself and navigate life. From when I was young I devoured joke books and studied what made a joke funny. I was obsessed with the Richard Pryor movies long before I knew he was a comedian or even knew what stand-up comedy was. After watching his stand-up as an adult, I knew I was watching a masterclass!
NAP: What made you want to perform at Colchester Fringe?
SH: I have performed at other Fringes and there is something special about the vibe of fringe that you don’t always get at a regular show. This is my first time at Colchester Fringe and I’m excited to reach new audiences, as I am based in Ireland for the most part.
You can see 10 Things They Hate About Me July 24-26 at Colchester Fringe.
Be sure to check out all the upcoming plays at Colchester Fringe, including Fringe Review’s “Highly Recommended” A Year and A Day and One Man Poe and FringeReview’s very own resident reviewer and blogger, Noah Alfred Pantano’s Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts) who you can read our interview with here.
