Seven Questions With… Harriet Kemsley
Harriet Kemsley is a delightful stand up comedian with an undeniably sinister edge. With her endearing, almost-childlike delivery of material that expertly blends the silly with cutting, bitter and sarcastic elements, Harriet is rapidly crafting a distinctive comedy persona. She has recently been supporting the likes of Katherine Ryan and Stewart Francis on their UK tours as well as appearing on The One Show Edinburgh Showcase in August.
To learn more about Harriet, I asked her these seven questions…
1) Are you at all similar to your parents?
I have inherited the best of both worlds. I got my Mum’s overwhelming anxieties and my Dad’s massive head.
2) Do you write your material down?
Yes. Because otherwise I would forget. I have to write everything in my life down or I won’t remember. I write very basic things I have to do on my hand and then I wake up with them smeared to my forehead and I go about my day.
3) What did you most enjoy about university?
I really really enjoyed the last day. I found Uni unnecessarily stressful, but I did enjoy having my rent paid for by my student loan.
4) What kind of people do you like making friends with?
I particularly like fun people. They are my absolute favourite. Big idiots that can laugh at themselves. If I was to go on friend Tinder I would swipe right for big fun honest idiots.
5) Do you pay much attention to detail?
Awlays. I am completely paranoid about everything so I have to read an email about 3000 times before I send it just to check I haven’t subconsciously written something like YOU’REABIGIDIOT in the middle. It’s the same with everything. It took me ages to wrap presents last Christmas as I became paranoid I was going to wrap dirty knickers up with them.
6) Which comedians inspire you most?
I am in love with Amy Schumer and Maria Bamford and Sarah Silverman and Katherine Ryan. They are all just perfect and I want to marry them.
7) Do you know what you want?
I think so. I really like doing comedy and I really want to get great at it. I would really like a proper home as I live in squalor with disgusting boys and one day I would really like to wake up to the sound of birds singing and not someone masturbating in the shower. And I would also like a little dog.
